The Kingsport Archives has one simple goal – to document and preserve the history of the Model City and to make the information available to anyone wishing to learn more about our city’s past.

It’s a chance to travel back in time and search for clues about a long-lost relative, for information on a shuttered business or for photographs of downtown buildings no longer standing.

Simply put, the archives is 200 years of history all in one room. All for you to explore. In case you’ve not paid a visit to the Kingsport Archives in some time, you may be in store for a few surprises. For one, the archives is no longer located in the basement of the Kingsport Library.

Rather, this depository of Kingsport’s history can be found on the fifth floor of city hall (415 Broad Street) in a space more prominent, more secure and much nicer than its previous location.

Plus, there’s dedicated space in the archives for the public to review material and for the archivist to appraise incoming donations.

Since opening up the archives in the new city hall two years ago, the frequency of donations has increased greatly, said Kingsport Archivist Brianne Wright, who has served in her role since 2007.

“I think there’s several reason as to why. The announcement we moved, word of mouth by people who have visited us and folks just becoming more aware of where we are now,” Wright said. “When people come in for other business at city hall, some stop in and check us out too.”

The Kingsport Archives is celebrating its 30 th anniversary this year. Established in 1994 to preserve the history and heritage of the Model City, the archives is home to more than 900 collections, some of which includes hundreds, if not, thousands of items. Items such as historical documents, photographs, books, newspapers, maps, old film and audio tapes. Though the Kingsport Archives is not a museum, it does have some small memorabilia from local industries, such as newsletters and pamphlets and various promotional items like pens, pencils, letters openers, matchbooks, playing cards and ashtrays.

Everything in the archives is available for review. There are no restrictions for looking at collections and folks can make copies, if need be, and digital pictures can be downloaded.

It’s all about allowing people access to the materials, Wright said.

“We have a little bit of everything. Anything that relates to the people, businesses, organizations and events of Kingsport,” Wright said. “We’re continuously growing and once something is here, it’s here to stay.”

The Kingsport Archives is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. On Friday’s, the archives is open by appointment only, however you can make an appointment for any other day of the week as well.

“I always encourage people to make an appointment during open hours because I’m not sure who else will be here,” Wright said. “That way I can best help people when they arrive and have materials ready for them.”

If you’re interested in donating to the Kingsport Archives, no appointment is needed. Feel free to stop by during normal business hours to drop off your donation. Just remember, if the material doesn’t relate to Kingsport, then it doesn’t belong in the archives. Please don’t bring items just because they are old.

And if something is damaged or moldy, the archives most likely won’t accept the items because they could affect other items in a collection.

“If people are interested in local history, I just encourage them to come in and check out what we have,” Wright said, noting there is a strong, local history presence in Kingsport. “The community has supported us well over the last 30 years with their donations, and we thank them for doing so.

“As a result, we have an impressive archive that documents so many different things throughout our history.”

For more information about the Kingsport Archives, call 423-224-2559 or visit www.kingsportlibrary.org/archives.