The Philadelphia Art Museum Archives is open to everyone, free of charge, and used for all types of research. It comprises institutional records, personal papers, research collections, photographs, and audiovisual materials that chronicle the institution's history since its founding in 1876.
Certain records in the Archives may be unavailable due to restrictions that protect the privacy rights of individuals or organizations, the legitimate proprietary rights of the Museum, or other reasons. However, the bulk of the archival materials is unrestricted and will be made available to patrons on a fair and equitable basis.
The Archives hold a variety of archival materials, including approximately 7,446 linear feet of records, ranging from reports and correspondence to photographic prints and audiovisual items. Some notable collections include the Alexina and Marcel Duchamp Papers, Arensberg Archives, Julien Levy Gallery Records, Fiske Kimball Records, Young-Mallin Archive, and George Grey Barnard Papers.
For information about the Museum's archival holdings, please refer to the Archives Catalog.
The Arcadia Special Collections Reading Room Hours: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (excluding holidays). Access to the reading room is by appointment only.
If you have questions about the Archives not addressed here, please email us at archives@visitpham.org.
