Finding Aids
Whereas catalog records offer users an overview of a collection, finding aids provide researchers with a detailed description of a collection's contents and nature, often including a box and folder inventory. In addition to hard copies in the research room, the Archives currently makes available online access to several finding aids. New finding aids will be added as they become available.
To access the finding aid to any of the following collections, please click on its title.
The Charles Lang Freer Biblical Manuscripts and Gold Treasure Collection
John Calvin Ferguson Family Papers
The Amb. Richard Parker Photographs of Islamic Monuments
Hans C. and Sonia P. Seherr-Thoss Photographs of Islamic Architecture
The Everett Edward Thompson Papers
Using the Collections
Collection Highlights
Doing Research
Online Resources
Finding Aids
A number of online finding aids, which are detailed descriptions of contents of selected collections.
Collection Descriptions
An entire listing of our collections, with appropriate images and finding aids.
Image Gallery
An online gallery space that allows you to browse a sampling of visual records.
Herzfeld: Significant Archaeological Sites
Locations of significant archaeological sites and objects found in the Herzfeld papers.
Ernst Herzfeld Image Gallery
An online gallery space that consists of all cataloged material from the Ernst Herzfeld papers.
Samarra Resource Page
Online resources for researching the recently cataloged Samarra excavation from the Ernst Herzfeld papers.
Squeeze Imaging Project
The Archives hold a significant collection of 393 squeezes from ancient archaeological sites in the Near East.
SIRIS - the Smithsonian Institution Research Information System (SIRIS) is a public database with archival and library holdings.
SIRIS Blog
Posts featuring collections across the Smithsonian's Archives, Libraries, and Special Collections.
Visits
The Archives is open by appointment only Monday through Thursday 10:00–5:00. Please contact us at 202.633.0533 or via our query form.Visiting researchers must present a photo ID and agree to archives access regulations. More information
Research Queries
For more information or if you have a specific research question, contact us with our query form.
Letter and fax queries
Telephone reference service
Duplication services
The Archives cannot answer queries about the Freer and Sackler Galleries' art collections. These inquiries should be directed to publicAffairsAsia@si.edu
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