Bishop Library & Archives
Built in 1876
In 1971, the Society purchased what was to become the Bishop Memorial Library, through the bequest of Elma C. and Bessie Bishop. The building, designed by architect Willis O. Hale and constructed in 1876, was the former residence of Mrs. Volney Maxwell, and currently houses the Society’s library and archives collections.
Come Visit
49 South Franklin Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
Next to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
Hours
By Appointment Only: Tuesday - Saturday
Call: 570-823-6244
Email: library@luzernehistory.org
Closed on major holidays.
Cost
LCHS Members: Free
Non-member Adults: $5.00
Non-member Children: $3.00 (ages 5-13)
Children Under 5: Free
There is a public restroom and a gift shop at the Bishop Library.
Parking
Metered parking is available along South Franklin and nearby streets, as well as in the public parking garage directly across the street at Boscov’s Department Store or at the open-air lot on Northampton Street. There is no parking at the Bishop Library.
Accessibility
The Bishop Library is not handicapped-accessible. There are several stairs up to the front door.
Library Visitation Guidelines
If you are planning a research trip to Luzerne County Historical Society’s Bishop Memorial Library & Archives, we ask that you please review the following guidelines in preparation for your trip. If you have any questions, feel free to call: 570-823-6244 or email: library@luzernehistory.org.
We recommend that you call a day or two in advance of your trip if you are traveling a long distance.
A $5.00 daily research fee is charged for utilizing the Library. Members of the Society are free.
All visitors must use pencil only while working in the Library as use of ink pens is prohibited. Post-It type notes are also prohibited.
Laptops and tablets are allowed. Electrical outlets and Wi-Fi is available.
Food and drink of any kind is prohibited.
Pets are not allowed unless they are registered service animals.
Please note that our materials are non-circulating. Nothing from our collection is permitted to be removed from the Library. The act of removing any item from our collection is considered a violation of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code.
All copies must be made by the Library staff and cost $0.25 per page. Visitors requesting photocopies must adhere to all applicable state & federal copyright laws, including Title 17, United States Code. The Luzerne County Historical Society will utilize the following criteria when fulfilling requests for photocopies:
- The Society will assume the information will be used for private purposes, and has been given no notice that the reproduction will be used for something other than private study and research.
- It is at the Society’s discretion when requesting a high volume of copies from a particular copyrighted work.
- The age and condition of the item; for example, ledgers in our Manuscript Collection may not be photocopied due to their age and fragility.
- Photography and scanning of documents, photographs, or books in the collection is prohibited unless permission has been given by the Library staff. The exception is photographing items which cannot physically be photocopied. In this case, please inform the Librarian beforehand and do not use a flash.
Research Services
Our staff is here to help uncover the stories of Luzerne County’s past. Whether you are tracing your family tree, researching local history, or seeking archival materials, we provide reliable and accurate research support using our exceptional resources. From answering quick reference questions to conducting in-depth searches, our team ensures careful and accurate results.
Research Sources
Our collection is one of the most comprehensive in Northeastern Pennsylvania. It includes Luzerne County–related books, microfilm, historic maps, manuscript collections, newspapers, and thousands of photographs. These resources preserve the stories of the people, places, and industries that shaped our community and are available for both personal and academic research.
