The San Diego History Center is happy to welcome community researchers to our Special Collections!

Community Research Days are reserved for students and community members needing to access our materials. For commercial researchers or consultants, please visit https://forms.gle/D4dPeEpcGpg7vTev6.

Here is how it works:

Pick one 3-hour session (morning or afternoon). There is space for 10 people in each session. This form is for interest only.

Identify the resources you would like to use before coming to the History Center. You may search the following resources to identify the materials you want before arriving for your appointment:

Online Catalogue: https://sandiegohistory.pastperfectonline.com/

Archival collections finding aids: https://sandiegohistory.org/archives/archivalcollections/

Resource guides: https://sites.google.com/view/collectionsresources/resource-guides

This form is to request participation only. We will confirm your spot by sending you a link to register through our ticketing system after your participation is approved.

If you must cancel your spot, please let us know as soon as possible so we may designate your spot to someone on the waiting list.

Community Research Days are meant to provide broad physical access to the Research Archives regardless of an individual's ability to pay. A three-hour research period would normally cost $270. These sessions are available for a suggested $20 donation, which helps ensure the sustainability of the History Center to preserve the collections.

We require patrons to wear masks while within the Research Archives since our space is limited.