Visiting the Archives Center
Important Announcement!
The Archives Center will be moving temporarily during the Spring of 2012 to a smaller space to accommodate a major renovation of the National Museum of American History building. We will continue to provide reference service during this period (2012–2014), although the limited space and move of our collections to off-site storage will impact capacity and response time.
On-site reference services will be available in our small temporary reading room on the first floor of the National Museum of American History. Seating will be very limited. Researchers must make appointments well in advance of planned visits. We also strongly urge all researchers to contact the Archives Center to discuss their research needs prior to scheduling an appointment and visiting so that we can ensure space and collections availability.
We will post new information about the move and our new facilities as it becomes available.
For further details, please contact the Archives Center’s reference desk at 202-633-3270 or at archivescenter@si.edu
Visiting the Archives Center
The Archives Center, located in a public area on the 1st floor of the National Museum of American History, can be reached by both the Mall and Constitution Avenue entrances. Researchers can come directly to the Archives Center from either entrance.
Street Address:
Archives Center
National Museum of American History
1st Floor, West Wing
14th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20560-0601
Map & Directions
(202) 633-3270
(202) 357-1729 TDD
(202) 786-2453 FAX
Email: archivescenter@si.edu
HOURS:
Monday - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday - CLOSED
Appointments are required.
To schedule an appointment and for further information, please call 202-633-3270 or email archivescenter@si.edu
Before You Come
- Confirm the Archives Center has the materials you need.
- Search SIRIS (www.siris.si.edu), the Smithsonian Institution’s on-line catalogue.
- Call or email to consult with an archivist.
- Call 202-633-3270 to make an appointment.
- Make separate arrangements with the curatorial staff to do research in the Museum's artifact collections.
Getting Started
- Complete the Archives Center registration form.
- First-time researchers must view a four-minute orientation powerpoint (with sound) when they arrive at the Archives Center or Play it now » (74 MB file).
- Laptops and cameras are allowed in the reference room.
- Wifi connection available in the reference room. Ask the reference archivist for the password.
- Folders and notebooks may not be taken into the reference room.
- Consult with the reference archivist if you need to bring notes into the reference room.
Conducting Research
- Pencils and paper for note taking are provided.
- Review the appropriate printed finding aids.
- To request materials complete the container form provided.
- Consult with the reference archivist if you find fragile, torn or damaged documents.
- Researchers do their own photocopying using the copiers in the reference room. Copies cost $.25/page (Ten free pages each fiscal year).
- Personal scanners are not allowed. The reference room staff can provide information on how to obtain scans.
- Researchers using personal cameras must complete a reproduction/use request. The reference archivist on duty can provide additional information.
- Inform the reference archivist if you need to leave the reading room for any reason.
Before You Leave for the Day
- Pay the reference archivist for your photocopies; receipts are provided. The Archives Center accepts cash, checks, and credit cards.
- Turn in your container form and check out with the reference archivist.
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