Almost every town in America has a historical society, working hard to preserve the stories of ordinary citizens by building a comprehensive collection of local historical documents and artifacts.

These materials preserve the unique story of an individual town, educating kids about where they came from by honoring the accomplishments of their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

Many of these small historical societies develop exhibits and hold events commemorating their town’s history. But the bulk of the materials – letters, diaries, photographs, programs, brochures, playbills, etc. – remain faithfully preserved in the museum’s library or archives, available to the public only in “raw” form for research purposes.

If you have an interest in writing, why not partner with a museum and write a book? There are several local history publishers, including Arcadia Publishing and The History Press, who are currently accepting proposals for book titles in a variety of formats.

Most local history publishers want their books illustrated with at least 50 photographs. Reproduction and copyright fees can be expensive and are the responsibility of the author. Partnering with a museum will help defray those costs.

If you would prefer reading a book instead of writing one, check for local history books in your town’s bookstore. Or see what titles have been written by clicking on the links below.