Manuscripts are defined as items that were not created for the immediate purpose of publication, and/or possess no obvious copyright. Such items are usually handwritten or typed, although printed forms and documents generally qualify as manuscript material. It is the objective of the Manuscripts division to collect manuscripts that support Mystic Seaport's collections, exhibits, and programs, and strengthen our collection of primary source materials in order to better support the study of American maritime history.

The Manuscripts Collection is a comprehensive assemblage of unique primary materials relating to American maritime studies. The collection includes ships' logs and journals, ledgers, diaries, and documents from the whaling, fishing, and shipping industries. The later manuscripts also incorporate business and personal papers of prominent naval architects, correspondence, design data, construction information, notes, and photographs. This entire collection is a multiple-perspective, firsthand account of trade patterns, travel routes, shipboard working and living conditions, race relations, politics, and American encounters with other Americans as well as with European and non-Western cultures, given by the people who actually experienced them.

Manuscripts, Rare Books, and other special materials are obtained and used under the direct supervision of the Main Desk attendant. Special request forms for the use of special materials are located at the Main Desk. Special collections materials are generally not available for use on Saturday.