About the Collections

Special Collections is the repository for archival collections relating to the history of the Museum, including scientific expeditions and research, exhibitions, education, and the general administrative history of the institution. It also includes personal papers and manuscripts of individuals closely associated with the Museum and/or the history of natural science.

Collections include:

• Photographs
• Moving Image
• Archives
  
• Art and Memorabilia
• Vertical Files

A List of Personal Papers, Manuscripts, and Photographic Print Collections is available for browsing. The moving image collection may be browsed by reviewing the Film List or by searching for titles in the Library's Catalog. More information about the art, memorabilia, and vertical file collections will be added in the future.

Access Policies

Both the general public and Museum staff should contact Special Collections to make an appointment to conduct research in the collection. Please email, fax, or phone Special Collections staff using the contact information provided below. It is particularly helpful to email speccol@amnh.org with a brief description of your research topic so that staff may better assist you.

All research must be conducted by the researcher -- Special Collections staff do not provide this service but they are available to provide advice about how to conduct research.

To use the archival collections, an Application to Research the Archival Collections must be filled out, signed, and submitted to Special Collections for approval. This application must include information about the purpose of the research and a brief description of the project, as well as a copy of the resume or CV of the applicant. Upon approval, the applicant may set up an appointment to visit. The appointment will be confirmed in writing (via email or post); a copy of this confirmation along with a photo ID must be presented by the researcher upon arrival for the appointment.

Additional policies concerning the use of archival materials are available from the Archives Collection page.

Contact Information

American Museum of Natural History
Library - Special Collections
Central Park West at 79th Street
New York, NY 10024

Phone: 212-769-5420
Fax: 212-769-5009
Email:speccol@amnh.org