Archives of the American Academy

“As a living, breathing part of the Academy, the Archives will record whether and how the Academy lives up to its noble aspirations.”

Don M. Randel, Chair Emeritus of the Board of the American Academy, in Advancing Knowledge: Selections from the Archives of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences (2015)

The Archives of the Academy offers almost 250 years of documented history. Explore our finding aids, highlighted materials, and online galleries below.

Explore the records from three centuries of pursuing useful knowledge, from eighteenth-century public health statistics to twentieth-century predictions of the future.
About us
The Archives of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences works to preserve, maintain, and make accessible a rich intellectual history dating back to 1780.
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If you have questions about the Academy's collections or history, or if you would like to request an appointment, feel free to send us a message.