Research at the Vermont State Archives
The Archives documents Vermont state government, from its creation in 1777 to the present. The strengths of the State Archives' records are:
- the Manuscript Vermont State Papers (MSVTSP), which include laws, petitions, and other records from 1777 to the late 19th Century. The Nye Index is a name index to the MSVTSP ranging from 1777 to circa 1840.
- Legislative records, including original acts dating back to the 18th Century, legislative committee minutes since 1917, and Legislative Council records and studies from 1965 forward.
- The official correspondence of governors, including some scatterings of records that pre-date the 1864 mandate that gubernatorial records be deposited with the secretary of state.
- Election records dating from the mid-19th Century to the present and including canvasses of votes, campaign finance and other election records.
- Records of the Surveyor-General, including many of the town maps and lotting plans created before the office was abolished in 1838.
In 2003 the Archives law (3 V.S.A. §117) was amended to add archival management authorities. The State Archives is consequently building holdings of judicial, executive agency, and departmental records as well as enhancing our traditional strengths.
Our record series database can be searched to identify records under the administrative control of the Vermont State Archives. The database will be continually updated as new series are appraised and added to the Archives. If you have questions you can also use the research assistance link to request help on specific record types.
