Nabb Research Center Collection Development Policy

The collection development policy of the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture is based upon the mission of Salisbury University, our current strengths, and the strength of potential materials to support research about the Delmarva Peninsula.

The Nabb Research Center actively seeks:

• Rare books, both non-fiction and historical fiction, documenting life in the Chesapeake Bay area, including published travelogues and atlases.
• Personal papers (e.g. journals, correspondence) of Peninsula residents that are of potential interest to historians and genealogists.
• Business records of local, independent Peninsula businesses which have played an intricate part in the economic growth of the Peninsula, preferably those businesses which have their roots in the nineteenth century. Any business records documenting economic life in the region originating in pre-twentieth century are actively sought (ledgers, receipts, etc.).
• Legal records, such as deeds and patents originating in this area.
• Records of Peninsula churches.
• Vital records, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates pre-twentieth century.
• Print materials relating to the Peninsula such as bound minutes from conferences, catalogues, brochures and local newspapers.
• Survey records.
• Visual documentary sources such as glass negatives, photographs, architectural drawings and sketches, preferably nineteenth century or earlier.
• Microfilm, microfiche, or electronic format copies of materials relating to the history and culture of the Peninsula.
• Genealogical materials, such as family histories/family trees, with substantial roots in the Delmarva area.

In addition, the Nabb Research Center is always looking for monographs relating to all aspects of American History, including gender and race studies, immigration, folklore, crafts, furniture, architecture, housewares and material culture to add to our reference collection.