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Solvay Process & Local History Archives

The Solvay Public Library has unique archive materials housed in a climate controlled room and managed by professional librarians. Access to the materials is available by appointment only, to better serve the inquirer and to preserve the materials as much as possible. These materials include photographs, maps, technical reports, correspondence, newsletters, and a large selection of books relevant to Solvay, Geddes, Onondaga County, and New York history.
This Library also houses archives from the Solvay Union Free School District, including yearbooks and many wonderful photographs from the turn of the 20th century.

To view indexes of materials in our collection, look at the links under “Archive Holdings” in the right column.

SOLVAY PROCESS COLLECTION

Through the generosity of the Allied Chemical Foundation and descendants of the Hazard family, the Solvay Public Library established the Solvay Process Collection. This archive, which first opened to the public December 7, 1986, contains many of the historic papers relating to the Hazard family and the Solvay Process Company, along with historic materials relating to the Village of Solvay and local history books. Frederick R. Hazard’s portrait and Solvay Process photographs are also on display in the protective, climate-controlled environment.

In 1990, Solvay Public Library applied for and received grants from New York State and the Rosamond Gifford Charitable Corporation to continue the preservation work on some of these materials through microfilming. The work was completed in 1992.

The Solvay Public Library also acts as a Onondaga Lake Clearinghouse information and resources, particularly related to the Honeywell remediation project.

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