Westchester County Archives
Preserving and providing access to Westchester County's historical public records from 1680 to the present. The Archives serves as the official repository for county government records and historical materials documenting Westchester's evolution from an agrarian community to one of the nation's largest suburban counties.
A Revolutionary Treasure Lives in Westchester County
Hidden in the collections of the Westchester County Archives is one of the rarest and most important documents in American history — an original Holt Broadside printing of the Declaration of Independence.
Printed in New York on July 9, 1776, by famed printer John Holt, the Holt Broadside helped spread the words of the Declaration across New York State during the earliest days of the American Revolution. Today, only five known copies survive anywhere in the world — and one of them is preserved right here in Westchester County.
Why the Holt Broadside Matters
While the Declaration of Independence was adopted in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, New York had not yet officially approved it. That changed on July 9, 1776, when the Convention of the Representatives of the State of New York met in White Plains and formally endorsed the Declaration — making New York the 13th and final colony to support independence from Great Britain.
Immediately following that historic vote, John Holt was commissioned to print approximately 500 copies of the Declaration for distribution across New York State.
Those copies became known as the Holt Broadsides.
Unlike documents preserved in archives from the start, the Holt Broadsides were created to be used. They were carried, posted publicly, read aloud and exposed to the elements during a time of war and uncertainty.
Most disappeared forever.
Today, only five original Holt Broadsides are known to exist, making them even rarer than the famous Dunlap Broadside printed in Philadelphia.
Visit the Archives
Located at the County Records Center in Elmsford, the Archives preserves records in environmentally controlled storage and provides access through its Reading Room.
Researchers also have access to the library collections of the Westchester County Historical Society, which complement many archival collections.
Address
2199 Saw Mill River Road
Elmsford, NY
Reading Room Hours
Beginning April 1st, 2026, the Archives Reading Room is open Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Appointments are strongly encouraged and may be scheduled for a full day or part day visit. Please contact us to schedule an appointment or if you have any research inquires.
What Are You Researching?
Research Resources
Before visiting, explore our research tools:
- Collection Guides
- Finding Aids
- Record Indexes
- Digital Collections
- Research Assistance
About the Archives
The Westchester County Archives preserves historical government records dating from 1680 to the present. These collections document county government, community development, transportation, housing, business, and everyday life throughout Westchester's history.
Our professional staff and trained volunteers are available to assist researchers both online and in person.
