Special Collections at Macdonald DeWitt Library consist primarily of items related to local history.

The Local History Collection was formally established in 1972 in order to offer students and faculty opportunity for historical research as well as to meet the need for local history information in the community.  The collection emphasizes material relating to Ulster County but also includes history of neighboring counties, the Hudson Valley and the Catskills Region and selected materials which treat the general history of the state.  Materials collected include books, maps, postcards, and a large file of pamphlets, articles and newspaper clippings.  Many unique items such as early census surveys, celebration publications, and documents relating to the Ashokan Reservoir, brochures from Lake Minnewaska and the Mohonk Mountain House, as well as unusual books are among the collection.

Special Collections at Macdonald DeWitt Library also has a small number of items related to the history of Ulster County Community College itself.

Access to the collection is supervised and appointments are encouraged to guarantee access.  Appointments can be made online or by calling the Information Desk at 845-687-5208.