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Collection Policy

Peerless Rockville collects items related to the history of Rockville, Maryland. Since 1974, Peerless Rockville has assembled information and objects that evoke the development of Rockville as a community and as the seat of Montgomery County. Initially collecting for its historic preservation activities, Peerless now utilizes these resources to educate the public, interpret historic sites, present exhibits, protect and preserve Rockville’s historic places, provide hands-on preservation opportunities, and to make the resources accessible to citizens of all ages and interests.


The Collection covers 10,000 years of Rockville history, from pre-Colonial times to the present. It is particularly strong in building histories, photographs and maps, oral histories, black history, local cemeteries, and the evolution of local government. 

The Peerless Rockville Collection includes:

THE MUSEUM COLLECTION: photographs, documents, maps, oral histories, videotapes, artifacts, and Peerless Rockville’s institutional archives. Other items owned by Peerless Rockville are architectural elements, a soda fountain, a 1909 schoolhouse, and a 19th century cemetery. Researchers must work with a staff member to access the Collection.

THE RESEARCH LIBRARY: subject files, books and periodicals, published and unpublished manuscripts, contractor and product files. Research Library materials must be used at Peerless Rockville’s office.

Examples of subject areas in the Collection:

Black history includes Ante Bellum and Reconstruction topics, slavery, Civil Rights, churches, and local black communities.

Building files number more than 200, maintained by street address.

Business, commerce, and industry includes files on retail businesses, newspapers, manufacturing, mills, research and development, etc. Some directories are available. 

Cemeteries and churches include files about 30 institutions and burial grounds.

Education files on private and public elementary and secondary schools in Rockville.

Government covers Rockville from incorporation in 1860 through evolution into a small city on the cutting edge. Includes politics, leaders, planning and zoning, urban renewal, volunteer boards and commissions.

Neighborhoods acknowledge Rockville’s development as a city of neighborhoods, today including some 60 distinct subdivisions dating from 1784 to the present.

Organizations past and present include civic, cultural, military, and recreation groups and their activities in Rockville. 

People who have influenced society, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, are well represented. Files include obituaries, oral histories, biographical information, articles, and memoirs. 

Transportation encompasses road and rail modes through more than two centuries.

Wars covers Rockville’s role in 18th, 19th, and 20th century conflicts.

Research in the Collection is encouraged. Although Peerless Rockville maintains regular open hours, researchers requiring special assistance may wish to call ahead to schedule a visit with staff. Researchers must complete an application form. Users must acknowledge and appropriately credit Peerless Rockville for resource materials utilized in preparing any product they may generate and are requested to donate a copy of the final product to the Research Library. Peerless Rockville reserves the right to charge a reasonable fee for its time and services, and for photocopies.

A donation to the Peerless Rockville Collection shall be accepted if the item is consistent with the organization’s mission, has a foreseen use in research or exhibit plans, and can be appropriately conserved and cared for. The Donor is responsible for certifying clear title and for obtaining an appraisal if one is desired. As Peerless Rockville is a 501(c)3 organization, all donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

This is a summary of SCOPE AND SUBJECT AREAS IN THE PEERLESS ROCKVILLE COLLECTION, adopted by the Collections Committee on January 12, 2004.