Browse digitized collections, focused websites and online exhibits that center on materials in the Art Institute of Chicago Archives.
The Archives collection is enormous, approximately five million items, and only 3% has been digitized. For this reason, you may need to make an appointment to see materials in person or email our staff in order to advance your research. Below is a list of our archival collections that have been fully or partially digitized including links when available.
70+: Chicago Visual Artist Oral History Archive
900 North Michigan Avenue Building Collection, 1925-1938
Bein, Maurice L., Papers, 1920-1936
Chicago Architectural Sketch Club Collection (CASC)
Chicago Architects Oral History Project (CAOHP)
Historic Architecture and Landscape Image Collection (HALIC), c.1865-1873 (bulk 1890-1945)
Juhl, Finn, Chair Design Collection, 1950
Lake Shore Drive (Outer Drive) and Link Bridge Photograph Album, c.1937
Lipp, Franz, Papers, 1930-1997
Magic of America, The, c.1937-1949
New York World’s Fair Collection, 1937-1940
Pullman Town Construction Photographs, c.1880-1881
Sailor, Homer Grant, Papers, 1914-1993
Steif, B. Leo, Collection, 1916-1953
Sullivan/Van Allen Building Collection, 1910-1918
Taylor, J.W., Photograph Collection, c.1880-1910
Tribune Tower Collection, 1922-2001
World’s Columbian Exposition Photographs by C. D. Arnold, 1891-1894
Adler, Dankmar, Collection, 1844-2017
Adler, David, Collection, 1860-2014 (bulk 1925-2001)
Albright, Ivan, Collection, 1888-1995 (bulk 1900-1980)
Allen, Harold, Egyptomania Collection, c.1920s-2015 (bulk 1950-1988)
Anderson, William Peirce, Collection, 1886-1915
Architects’ and Designers’ Papers, 1767-2014 (bulk 1889-1920)
Architects’ Portraits Collection, 1865-c.1982 (bulk c.1982)
Artists’ Papers, 1636-2007 (bulk 1800s-1980s)
Baldwin Kingrey Collection, 1939-2004 (bulk 1947-1957)
Beman, Solon S., and Spencer S. Beman Collection, 1892-1985
Bennett, Edward H., Collection, 1901-2015 (bulk 1905-1950)
Berg, Peter, Silver Designs Collection, c.1909-c.1956
Bizzarri, Michael and Jane, House Papers, 1949-1990
Brenner Danforth Rockwell Records, 1957-2016 (bulk 1963-1977)
Brubaker, C. William, Papers, 1948-1999 (bulk 1963-1989)
Burleigh, Thomas R., Collection, 1940-2000 (bulk 1940-1942)
Burnham, Daniel H., Collection, 1836-2019 (bulk 1880-1925)
Burnham, Daniel H., Jr. and Hubert Burnham Papers, 1890-1978 (bulk 1920-1950)
Burnham Plan Centennial Committee Records, 2003-2010
Carson Pirie Scott Collection, 1857-c.2000
Century of Progress Collection, c.1920s-1980 (bulk 1931-1934)
Chamales, Christopher John, Papers, 1919-1987
Chicagoland Building Brochure Collection, c.1920-2018 (bulk 1998-2005)
Chicagoland Memorabilia and Map Collection, 1855-2019 (bulk 1929-1968)
Clark, Edwin H., Papers, 1885-1960
Colburn, Irving W., Papers, 1953-1992 (bulk 1955-1983)
Collins, George R., Archive of Catalan Art and Architecture, 1864-2016
Commission on Chicago Landmarks Photograph Collection
Crane, Barbara, Collection, 1972-2019
Dana/Thomas House Restoration Plans and Documents, 1981-1989
Dart, Edward, Collection, 1841-2021 (bulk 1940-1993)
Duckett, Edward A., Collection, 1931-1978
Dunlap, William E., Papers, 1921-1957 (bulk 1926-1950)
Dunning, Hugh and N. Max, Collection, 1901-1994
Fagg, William B., Archive, 1949-1982
First National Bank of Dwight Collection, 1905-1920 (bulk 1905-1906)
Gelbin, Allan J., Papers, 1900-2005 (bulk 1949-1994)
Glass, Henry P., Papers, c.1942-2000
Goff, Bruce A., Archive, 1893-2012 (bulk 1920s-1980s)
Goldberg, Bertrand, Archive, 1933-2003 (bulk 1937-1997)
Graham, Bruce, Papers, 1939-2017 (bulk 1960s-1980s)
Granada Theater Collection, 1925-1987
Greene, Herb, Papers, 1956-2009 (bulk 1956-1985)
Griffin, Walter and Marion Mahony, Collection, 1911-2016
Guaranty Building Collection, 1894-1980s (bulk 1894-1970s)
Hilberseimer, Ludwig Karl, Papers, c.1885-1995 (bulk 1938-1967)
Hiratsuka, Un’ichi, Papers, 1956-2001
Historic Architecture and Landscape Image Collection (HALIC): Modern, c.1945-
Holgate, Francis Burdette, Papers, 1947-1963
Inspired Partnerships Collection, 1898-2002
Institute of Design Collection, c.1934-1955
Jacobs, Herbert and Katherine, Residence and Frank Lloyd Wright Records, 1924-1974
Jensen, Elmer C., Papers, 1871-2014 (bulk 1880s-1950s)
Judson, Sylvia Shaw, Collection, 1915-1998 (bulk 1940-1998)
Karr, Joe, and Associates Records, 1962-2005
Kerbis, Gertude Lempp, Archive, 1948-2017 (bulk 1954-2001)
Khan, Fazlur R., Collection, 1944-2017
Llewellyn, J.C., and Associates Records, 1894-2018 (bulk 1920-1960)
Luxfer Prism Collection, 1897-c.1920
Manny, Carter H., Jr. Papers, 1893-2017 (bulk 1961-1993)
McNally and Quinn Records, 1880-1977 (bulk 1925-1965)
Mellerio, André, Papers, 1867-1943 (bulk 1895-1925)
Mies van der Rohe, Ludwig, Collection, 1907-2018 (bulk 1948-1960)
Miniature Building Collection, 1920-2002
Nickel, Richard, Archive, 1850-2011 (bulk 1945-1972)
Painter, David, Papers, 1935-c.1980s (bulk c.1935-c.1960)
Palmer, Bertha Honoré, Correspondence Collection, 1883-1899
Patton and Fisher Records, c.1885-1908
Penn, Irving, Archive, c.1924-2004
Percier and Fontaine Collection, c.1790-c.1875
Pond and Pond Collection, c.1895-1938
Powell/Kleinschmidt Records, 1969-1993 (bulk 1976–1984)
Prairie School Press Archives 1887-1991 (bulk 1961-1979)
Preston, Jessie M., Scrapbook, c.1911-1943
Reynolds, Mary, Collection, 1892-1972 (bulk 1941-1964)
Rogers, Mary Long, Collection, 1931-1953
Ryerson and Burnham Libraries Book Collection
Schillo Motor Sales Company Collection, 1917
Schlossman, Norman, Collection, 1925-1987 (bulk 1932-1967)
Schmidt, Garden and Martin Records, 1903-c.1985
Schwartz, Kit, Oral History Archive
Shaw, Alfred P. and Patrick, Collection
Shaw, Howard van Doren, Collection, 1875-2019 (bulk 1896-1925)
Shearer, Sybil, Collection of Ray Johnson, 1951-1956 (bulk 1955-1956)
Speyer, A. James, Collection, 1931-2005 (bulk 1947-1974)
Sullivaniana Collection, 1780-2018 (bulk 1870-1930)
Sutnar, Ladislav, Collection, 1941-1970
Tallmadge, Thomas Eddy, Collection, 1908-1938
Taylor, Crombie, Papers, 1914-1999 (bulk 1949-1980)
Ten Eyck, Richard, Papers, c.1940s-c.1990s
Textile Sample Books, 1935-1968
Tigerman, Stanley, Papers, 1941-1993 (bulk 1966-1990)
Tomlinson Subdivision Collection, 1887-1998 (bulk 1988-1990)
Trade Catalog and Product Sample Collection, 1890-1975
Twentieth-century Decorative Arts Collection, 1928-1929
Van der Meulen, John, Papers, 1922-2003 (bulk 1940s-1970s)
Voorhees, Gmelin & Walker Photographs, 1930-c.1933
Weber, Peter J., Papers, 1888-c.1945 (bulk 1893-1922)
Weese, Ben, Papers, 1925-2009 (bulk 1971-1997)
Weese, Harry, Papers, c.1915-2004 (bulk 1937-1985)
Wight, Peter Bonnett, Papers, 1863-1915
Woltersdorf, Arthur, Papers, 1870-1948 (bulk 1899-1933)
Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project Photograph Collection, 1930s
World’s Columbian Exposition Collection, 1890-1896
World’s Fair and Exposition Collection, 1882-1985
Wrightiana Collection, c.1897-2017 (bulk 1949-1969)
Finding aids for all collections can be browsed here.
Adams, Robert Henry, Gallery Records
Altman Saicheck Adams Records
American Mural Painting Scrapbooks, 1929-1944 (bulk 1934-1944)
ARC Gallery Records
Architects Club of Chicago Records, 1925-1937
Armin, Emil, Papers, 1929-2018
Art Alliance of America Scrapbook, 1918-1919
Artemisia Gallery Records
Auditorium Building Collection
Bagley, Joseph J., Cottage Collection, c.1916-c.1925
Baum, Don, Papers
Benjamin Galleries Records, 1920-2013
Betts, Louis, Collection, 1918-1994
Bevis, Mildred B., Notebook of Designs for the Kalo Shop, c.1910-1913
Brand, Herbert, Collection, 1903-2014 (bulk 1920-1959)
Brenner, Daniel, Papers, 1947-1986
Brewster, Walter S., Collection of Whistleriana, 1871-1947 (bulk 1917-1937)
Bromley, Judith, Photograph Collection
Brown, A.J., Papers, 1929-1963 (bulk 1930-1956)
Burnham Library-University of Illinois Project to Microfilm Architectural Documentation Daybooks Collection, 1950-1952
Butler Street Foundry and Iron Company Records
Byrne, Francis Barry, Collection, 1926-1952
Carrara, Arthur A., Collection, 1910-2016 (bulk 1961-1974)
Chicago 2016 Olympic Bid Collection, 2006-2009
Chicago Architectural Club Records
Chicago Architectural Exhibition League Records, 1924-c.1990s (bulk 1924-1953)
Chicago Library Design Competition Collection, 1987-1990
Childerly Chapel Photograph Album, c.1926-c.1930
Clarkson, Ralph E., Papers, c.1900-1941
Continental and Commercial National Bank Photographs Collection, c. 1914
Cowles, Knight Cheney, Album, c.1929-1931
Danforth, George, Papers, 1921-2007 (bulk 1864-1988)
Deson, Marianne, Gallery Records
Dirsmith, Ron, Papers
Ebsworth Chapel Collection
Faggi, Alfeo, Collection, 1914-1950
Fischer, John B., Papers, c.1900-c.1920s
Forsberg, Elmer A., Collection, c.1920-1950
Frost and Granger Records
Frost, Charles S., Letterpress Copybook, 1922-1930
Fuhrer, Ruth Frieder, Collection, 1926-1954
Furhoff, Robert A., Papers, 1975-2007 (bulk 1990-1995)
Googerty, Thomas F., Collection, c.1902-c.1909
Grell, Louis, Collection, 1918-2015
Gutnayer, J. Marion, Papers, 1931-2002 (bulk 1934-1990)
Hagerstrom, Ernst, Collection, 1927-1966
Hall, Gilbert P., Collection, c.1930-1934
Hammond, Charles Herrick, Papers, 1894-1963
Hammond, James Wright, Papers, 1951-c.1985
Harrison/Morse Research Collection, The, 1960-1988
Hind, Arthur, Collection, 1912-1943
Historic American Building Survey (HABS) Collection
Hoeckner, Carl, Papers, 1896-1984 (bulk 1922-1960)
Hoerr Schaudt Records
Hoffmann, Donald, Collection, 1897-2008 (bulk 1963-2000)
Hoffman, Rhona, Gallery Records
Hurter Family Collection, 1894-1999
Hyland, Paul Vincent, Papers, 1914-c.2010 (bulk 1926-1934)
Iannelli Studios Collection
Illinois Society of Architects Records
Inland Architect Correspondence Collection
Juergens, Alfred, Sketchbook, c.1897
Koehnemann, Renard, Collection, 1913-1991 (bulk 1950-1991)
Kuh, Gertrude, Collection, 1942-2021 (bulk 1967-1972)
Late Entries to the Chicago Tribune Competition Collection, 1980
Line, Ralph Marlowe, Collection, 1944-1960
Loebl Schlossman Hackl Records
London Guarantee and Accident Company Building Collection, 1921-1990
Lowe, David Garrard, Historic Chicago Photograph Collection
Mayor Dever’s Committee of 75 Records
Maywood Company Records, 1869-1901
Maxwell Street Foundation Collection
McCormick Place on the Lake (1971) Collection, 1967-1972
Mell, Alfred L., Papers, 1941-1971
Metschke, Walter G., Papers
Mies van der Rohe, Ludwig,/Metropolitan Structures Collection, 1961-1969
Milles, Carl, Photograph Collection, c.1938-1939
Mintz, Harry, Papers, 1914-1995 (bulk 1931-1995)
Moorman, The World of Charlotte, Collection, 1957-2000
Morgan, Charles L., Papers, 1892-1976 (bulk 1916-1944)
Municipal Art League Records
Myers, Terry R., Papers, 1965-2020 (bulk 1989-2017)
Nagle Hartray Architecture Records
National Register of Historic Places Nomination Collection, 1981-2005
Neal, Isobel, Gallery Records, 1985-2019 (bulk 1986-1997)
New Art Examiner Records
New Deal Federal Art Project Research Collection, 1934-1982
Newman, Edgar, Papers, 1863-1977 (bulk 1863-1977)
Old Northwest Territory Art Exhibit Collection, 1947-1951
Otis Elevator Company Collection, 1903-1906
PACE Associates Records, 1924-2009 (bulk 1948-1986)
Penfield, Louis, Residence Collection, 1959-1982
Perkins, Dwight, Research Collection
Picardi, E. Alfred, Papers, 1949-2011 (bulk 1965-1975)
Poetry Foundation Building Papers
Purdy, Arthur, Collection, c.1933-1995
Radford Architectural Company Collection, c.1903
Randall, John D., Papers, 1884-1993
Redon, Odilon: Prince of Dreams, 1840-1916 Exhibition Research Collection, 1833-2001
Reese, Michael, Hospital Collection
Regensteiner, Else, Collection, 1914-2018 (bulk 1943-1997)
Richter, Catherine Moore, Papers
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, Memorial Competition Collection, 1959-1960
Rouault, Georges, Collection, 1946-1972
Schmidt, Garden & Erickson Records
Schultz, Richard, Papers
Schwartz, Kit, Oral History Archive
Schweikher, Paul, House and Studio Collection, 1964-1988 (bulk 1984-1988)
Siebrits-Bartz Anti-Apartheid Collection
Siegel, Arthur, Papers, 1927-1985
Skinner, Richard M., Residence Records, 1878-1979
Smith, Benjamin K., Papers, 1935-c.1980s
Sobel, Walter, Papers
Sparks, Esther, Papers, 1969-1972
Statsinger, Evelyn, Papers
Stein, Ethel, Papers
Stewart, Graeme, Papers
Taft, Lorado, Collection, c.1908-c.1930s
Teague, James, Papers, c.1950s-c.1980s
Theobald, Paul, and Company Records, 1935-1988 (bulk 1946-1955)
Thill, Nancy, Papers
Thorpe, John Garrett, & Associates Architectural Archive, 1901-2012
Tigerman McCurry Archive
Trebilcock, Paul, Photograph Collection, c.1930-c.1970
Tribune Tower Records
Twentieth-century Libraries Collection, c.1950-1990
Urry, Steven Jay, Research Collection, 1960-2012
Van Bergen, John S., Collection
Vinci, John, Papers, 1909-2001 (bulk 1971-1979)
Walker, Nellie V., Collection, 1901-1973
Wentworth, Michael, Collection, c.1882-2002 (bulk 1962-2002)
Wilson, Melvin, Papers, 1960-1993
WWI Recruiting Posters and Ephemera from Great Britain, c.1914-c.1922 (bulk 1914)
Wright, Frank Lloyd, in Michigan Collection, 1945-1988
Young, Donald, Gallery Records
Microsites and Other Resources
-
Henry Ives Cobb
Comprehensive survey of Cobb’s work, containing images, historical summaries, location information and map links.
-
Allan J. Gelbin Papers
Overview of Gelbin holdings in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, and related resources.
-
Bruce Goff Archives
Overview of Goff holdings in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, and related resources.
-
Bertrand Goldberg Archive
An overview of Bertrand Goldberg holdings in the Art Institute collections and related resources
-
Interstate Industrial Expedition
Indices of the 1859 Chicago Exhibition of the Fine Arts and the Great North-Western Sanitary Fair of 1865.
-
Ray Johnson Collections
Overview of Ray Johnson holdings in the Art Institute collections and related resources.
-
Magic of America
View the electronic edition of Marion Mahony Griffin’s 1,400 page memoir and manifesto, which collates all texts and illustrations from the three known copies of the work.
-
Irving Penn Archives
Selections from the Penn Archives and related resources.
-
Percier and Fontaine Collection
Overview of Percier and Fontainer holdings in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, and related resources.
-
Mary Reynolds Collection on Dada and Surrealism
Essays, images, and resources related to the artist and Surrealist advocate, Mary Reynolds.
-
Louis Sullivan Resources
Overview of Sullivan holdings in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, and related resources.
-
Without Bounds or Limits
Selections from the Daniel H. Burnham and Edward H. Bennett collections and additional resources.
