Archives
Welcome to the Archives
Located on the historic site of the original 1845 Sophienburg fortress, the archive houses an extensive collection of over one million photographs, documents, and maps detailing the lives of early settlers and the development of the community. Researchers and visitors can delve into genealogical records, oral histories, and artifacts that chronicle the cultural and historical evolution of New Braunfels. Access to the archive is available by appointment, offering a unique opportunity to connect with the city’s storied past.




Visit the Archives
To Make an Appointment Call 830.629.1572 or
Email archives@sophienburg.com
Policies & Fees
We ask your help in preserving The Sophienburg Archives and Museum collections for future generations by observing the following policies:
- The Archives and adjacent microfilm area are reserved for users of Sophienburg materials.
- Please register at the front desk. You are required to leave your driver’s license.
- You may bring a pencil, notebook and/or laptop computer into the Archives.
- NO food, drink, tobacco, alcohol or firearms in the building.
- Lockers and a coat rack are provided for all personal belongings. Pens, coats, purses, backpacks, fanny packs, briefcases, laptop cases and cellular phones are not permitted in the Reading Room or when using Sophienburg microfilms. If your belongings do not fit in locker, please place them in your car.
- Duplication of materials by use of personal copiers, scanners, cameras and recorders is not permitted.
- Non-Sophienburg books needed for research are allowed in the Reading Room on a limited basis; they must be checked in and out with the Staff.
- Sophienburg materials may be used in the Reading Room only. See the retrieval and duplication policies below for further information.
- The Sophienburg materials are housed in closed stacks and must be requested for use in the Reading Room. Please allow adequate time for materials to be retrieved and examined. No materials will be retrieved during the 30 minutes prior to closing.
- A separate paging request form is required for all materials:
- For books, periodicals, microforms, videos and similar items, four titles may be retrieved at one time through the information desk.
- For archival collections, see the staff for archival request forms and inventories. Up to two boxes may be retrieved at one time, however, only one container may be used at a time.
- Please return all materials to the information desk when finished.
Patrons may request photocopies or other duplicates of materials. Some items cannot be copied due to fragile condition or other restrictions. Copy requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The patron is responsible for complying with all copyright laws and restrictions.
- Books and periodicals in good condition may be copied, one item at a time, by a staff member.
- Archival materials (manuscripts, photo archives, maps and or architectural drawings, artwork, video and audio materials) are copied by staff only. Please ask the staff member for duplication forms and instructions for marking materials. Prices, processes and turn-around times differ according to the type of material.
- Permission to examine archival materials is not an authorization to publish them. Permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder.
- All archival materials used in publishing must be properly cited and credited to The Sophienburg in the following format:
- Description and date of item
- Box and/or folder or item number
- Name and number of the collection
- The Sophienburg Museum and Archives.
If you have any questions about the Sophienburg policies or usage procedures, please ask the staff on duty.
| Type of Use | Personal | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Book / Non-Periodical Publication | ||
| Text use (within publication) | — | $50.00 |
| Cover, poster, catalog, calendar and similar use | — | $100.00 |
| Periodical Publications | ||
| Text use (within publication) | — | $60.00 |
| Cover, brochure and similar use | — | $100.00 |
| Media / Online Publication / Exhibition | ||
| Display, filmstrip, motion picture, video | — | $120.00 |
| Internet and similar electronic distribution | — | $200.00 |
| Re-use Fees | ||
| Same use: ½ fee quoted above | ||
| Different use: Standard fee quoted above | ||
All prices subject to change without notice.
Definitions
- Personal Use: The image(s) will be used only in a private home, not public display.
- Commercial Use: The image(s) will be published, displayed, or broadcast.
- Research: Hours spent to locate specific images or negatives from the collection.
Genealogy
The Comal County Genealogy Society houses its entire research collection at the Sophienburg Museum & Archives. The reading room allows public access to these records. See Family Histories.
A 1,200 book reference library contains materials focusing on the New Braunfels area as well as many references on the other counties in Texas. Additional reference materials include 19th C. county and church records; cemetery records; and ship passenger lists for Germans coming into Galveston. Researched and collected family genealogies number close to 500.
Requests for research can be made by contacting the museum directly through the Contact page. Fees apply.
Click on Sophie’s Shop for Society publications.
Oral History
Reflections is an ongoing oral history program begun in 1976. Current programs are recorded at a state-of-the-art studio at the Sophienburg and aired on radio station KGNB (1420 AM) every Sunday at 9 a.m.
We have recored voices of our elders and historical stories. If you would like to purchase a CD they are available for purchase for $25.
Audio CDs at available from the Sophienburg:
The Latest Archive Highlight
We post weekly highlights form the archive so our local community can enjoy learning new things in their community.
Volunteer
There are many ways to support the Sophienburg Museum & Archives. Volunteers help greet guests, guide tours, and assist with events and history camps. In the Archives, they support cataloging, data entry, research requests, and photo collections. Sophie’s Shop also welcomes help with daily operations. There’s even room for those who enjoy hands-on tinkering.





