Archives

The National Museum of American History Archives Center has vast collections relating to technology, invention, and innovation in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Above: Howard Head's drawing for his tennis racket with an enlarged "sweet spot." Smithsonian Institution photo.

Using the Archives Center collections:

The Archives Center is located on the first floor of the National Museum of American History, West Wing, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20560-0601.

Map & Directions »

You may reach the Archives Center at:

• (202) 633-3270
• (202) 357-1729 TDD
• (202) 786-2453 FAX
• Email: archivescenter@si.edu

The Archives Center's hours are:

• 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.

Finding aids
The Lemelson Center is collaborating with the Archives Center to make finding aids to the Museum's invention collections available online.
Browse finding aids »

MIND program
The Modern Inventors Documentation Program (MIND) ensures that records of invention are preserved for the future.
Learn more »