In an effort to bring renewed attention and interest to our archival collections and research materials, the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society welcomes research and inquiry requests. 

Research in Person:

If you visit the Crown Gardens & Archives History Center you are welcome to do your own self-guided research or, if you prefer, we will be glad to assist you in using our available archival collections and research materials.  For individuals who are not current members of the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society, there is a small fee to visit and use our research facility.  If you intend to spend time with us it may be helpful if you would:

• Call ahead to schedule your visit.
• Let us know what materials or titles you are interested in.  If you do not have specific information, please let us know what you are researching so we can prepare appropriate materials for your visit.
• Photography is allowed in certain instances.  Please ask a staff member before taking any photographs.
• Self-directed research may include a brief orientation of material location/usage.  Additional help constitutes “staff assisted research” which may include additional research fees.

Research by Mail:

If you are unable to research in person, you may request research or images from the History Center via mail.  Please make all requests in writing and include a check or money order (payable to the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society) for all applicable fees.  Please send your written request, including all pertinent information described below, and payment to:

Whitfield-Murray Historical Society

P.O. Box 6180

Dalton, GA 30722

Or email us at : wmhs@optilink.us

Please note that genealogical inquires and (some others) are typically not accepted over the phone because the information often becomes jumbled and confusing.  For those inquiries, you must write or email us.

In order to expedite your request and to prevent repetition, please include the following when inquiring:

•  Your name, address, phone number and/or email address
• What you hope to find.
• Specific names, dates, locations, etc. (if known).
• List of sources already consulted.
• Initial payment covers first hour of research (you will be informed if more is required).
• Inquiries that include the request, "Please send everything you have on . . . " will not be answered.
• There will be no inquiry fee in instances when we know we do not have the information for which you seek or we can provide that information to you without doing research.

If you request information via mail or email, our staff will research and respond to your request, for a pre-paid fee. The fee includes up to ten pages of photocopied materials. Responses will be sent within 6-8 weeks from receipt of payment. Rush orders are accepted at the discretion of senior staff for an additional charge of $25.00 above the usual research fee. We cannot guarantee our investigation will produce any results, but we will make every effort to aid you. Included in our response will be a list of the sources consulted in the course of our research.

You will receive your information only after the research fees have been paid in full.  The research fees are as follows:

*Photographs: Photographs in our collection are available for public use; however, digital files are not yet available for most of the collection. Requests are subject to approval and all images used in publications, exhibits, presentations, displays, etc. must be accompanied with “Courtesy of Whitfield-Murray Historical Society” or similar credit line.