Welcome to the Amistad Research Center! Plan your visit to explore a trove of materials that celebrate and preserve Black history and culture.

Scheduling Your Visit

Vintage photograph of African American women learning sewing in a classroom, representing the educational history archived at the Amistad Research Center.
  • Appointments: Schedule your visit online to ensure availability.
  • Research Hours: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.
  • On-Site Experience: Expect a welcoming environment with access to our extensive collections and expert staff assistance.
Vintage photograph of African American women learning sewing in a classroom, representing the educational history archived at the Amistad Research Center.

Research Support
Services

On-site tools: We use computers, scanners and photocopiers to provide you with research copies of our archival material.

Remote Support: Utilize our digital collections and remote research assistance via email or phone.

Expert Guidance: Our staff is available to help with research queries and navigating our archives.

Q.
What types of materials can I find in the Amistad Research Center collection?

Our collection includes primary source materials like personal papers, unpublished documents, and historical records, alongside published works such as books, articles, and newspapers. We specialize in the history of African Americans, ethnic history, culture, and race relations in the United States.

Q.
What resources are available online?

We are actively digitizing our collection, but not everything is accessible online yet. You can explore finding aids and descriptions of collections through our website.

Using the Amistad Research Center for Research

Q.
How can I search for specific materials?

We recommend following our 3-Step Guide to Searching the Amistad Research Center's Collection, which outlines using the Archives and Manuscripts Finding Aid Database for primary sources and Tulane University's Library Search for published works.

Q.
Do I need to make an appointment to visit the Amistad Research Center?

Yes, appointments are encouraged. Some restrictions on access to materials may exist, so we recommend contacting the Research Services Department to discuss your research needs and potentially schedule a visit.

Q.
Can I borrow materials from the Amistad Research Center?

Unfortunately, borrowing is not available due to preservation concerns.

Independent Archives

Q.
What is an independent archive?

Independent archives are not affiliated with a university or government institution. They are typically non-profit organizations that rely on donations and grants to maintain their collections and provide access to researchers.

Q.
What are the benefits of using an independent archive?

Independent archives often focus on specific historical topics or communities, offering a deeper and more specialized collection than larger institutions.

Ready to Explore Our Collections?