The Hays T. Watkins Research Library is dedicated to the history and preservation of American railroading. The bulk of our holdings document the history of the B&O Railroad from its beginnings in 1827 to the 1970s, which place the history of the B&O in the broad context of social, cultural, political, and economic trends in the United States of America.
Below, learn about submitting research requests and the services available to researchers in the Hays T. Watkins Research Library.
Research Requests
The Hays T. Watkins Research Library is open to visiting researchers by appointment only. Researchers visiting the Library only are not charged admission to the museum.
Please complete the Researcher Registration Form or submit your request by email at research@borail.org.
Once your research registration form or email is received, you will be contacted about your project and scheduling an appointment. Appointments must be made at least one (1) week in advance. Please notify us if you need any special accommodations.
Services
Researchers may take advantage of the following services, which may be subject to a fee:
- Research (in-person or remotely)
- Reproductions of photographs, maps, or other documents.
- Use of collection materials in publication or exhibition.
Please contact the Library or complete the registration form to submit your service requests.
Fees & Policies
For information on fees and policies associated with research, reproduction, and use of our collection, please see our Schedule of Fees.
