Amistad Research Center

Located on the beautiful campus of Tulane University in uptown New Orleans, the Amistad Research Center houses the country's largest collection of manuscripts about African Americans, race relations and civil rights. This center is the focal point of research by historians, nonfiction authors, novelists and those pursuing information about their family's history.

The holdings of the Amistad include:

• 15 million documents
• 250,000 photographs
• 20,000 books
• 2,000 periodicals
• 1,000 original works of art and artifacts dating from the 18th century to the present.

Visitors will find a fine collection of letters, memoirs, journals, photographs and works of art that tell the intricate histories of American minorities, including narratives told by former slaves. Their materials are not on open display to the public, but can be retrieved for researchers "“ whether they are students, professors, genealogists, organizational historians, writers or independent researchers.

Founded by the American Missionary Association in 1966, and named after a ship that was taken over by captive slaves in 1839, the Amistad Research Center boasts holdings from every state in the country. Though very little of the collection is on display to the public, the Center does feature a small exhibition of African American and African art.

There is also a small portion of research information on Native Americans, Puerto Ricans, Latin Americans, Asian Americans, European immigrants, and Appalachian whites. Many original documents and photos are available for research at the Amistad Center, but these materials may not be checked out. Helpful staff members will assist in retrieving requested materials and will advise on their proper handling.