Visiting the Archives Center

NOTE: NEW RESEARCH HOURS FOR THE ARCHIVES CENTER DURING RENOVATION

The National Museum of American History building closed to the public September 5, 2006 for a two-year renovation. The Archives Center remains open to researchers, although the research hours have changed and all non-Smithsonian researchers must be escorted from the Museum's staff entrance.

DIRECTIONS TO STAFF ENTRANCE: The only entrance to the Museum during renovation is the staff entrance. This entrance is at the Museum's employee parking lot located under the Madison Drive terrace. The door is approximately midway between the 12th Street and 14th Street parking lot entrances. Visitors need to walk from one of the parking lot gates or down the steps near the corner of 12th and Madison Drive, NW to reach the staff entrance.

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 2:00 p.m.

Thursday - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Friday – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Researchers will be met at the staff entrance at 10:00, 12:00, and 2:00 (Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:00 and 12:00 only). Appointments for non-Smithsonian researchers will be scheduled only at these times.

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 e-mail 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 watch a ten minute orientation video.
• Laptops and cameras are allowed in the reference room.
• 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 photo copying using the copiers in the reference room. Copies cost $.20/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 may use personal cameras. Special arrangements, including completing additional forms, must be made to use the Archives Center copy stand. 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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