Information for Researchers

Appointments

Hours

Holidays

Transportation

Driving Directions

Facilities

Wireless Internet Access

Research Procedures

Camera Policy

Duplication

Microfilm

Lodging

Area Attractions

APPOINTMENTS

Appointments must be made to conduct research at the Rockefeller Archive Center. Contact us in writing via email, fax, or mail with a brief description of your research project, the names of individuals and institutions that are central to the study, the years covered by the study, and any geographic restrictions on the study. The Center's staff can respond most efficiently and effectively to inquiries that are specific. A staff member will respond with a description of the scope and content of relevant materials in the collections and to schedule an appointment. Photo ID is required.

Regular Archive Center Reading Room hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Rockefeller Archive Center (RAC) is closed on the following days:
• January: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Monday, January 15, 2018; Monday, January 21, 2019
• February: Presidents' Day - Monday, February 19, 2018; Monday, February 18, 2019
• May: Memorial Day* - Monday, May 28, 2018, Monday, May 27, 2019
• July: Independence Day* - Wednesday, July 4, 2018
• September: Labor Day* - Monday, September 3, 2018
• November: Thanksgiving* - Thursday and Friday, November 23 - 24, 2017; Thursday and Friday, November 22 - 23, 2018
• December: Christmas* - closed for a week during the Christmas and New Year period: Monday, December 25, 2017, through Monday, January 1, 2018; Monday, December 24, 2018, through Tuesday, January 1, 2019

* Note: The Archive Center will close at 3:00 p.m. on the day before certain holidays. Early closing will take place on: the Friday before the Memorial Day weekend; the day before Independence Day; the Friday before the Labor Day weekend; the Wednesday before Thanksgiving; and the day prior to the Christmas holiday period. On those days, the Reading Room will close at 2:45 p.m.

The Rockefeller Archive Center (RAC), located 20 miles north of New York City in Westchester County, is easily accessible from major highways and by train from Grand Central Terminal in New York City to Tarrytown on the Metro-North Hudson Line. The RAC, when notified at least two days before arrival (telephone: 914 631-4505; fax: 914 631-6017) will provide transportation to and from the Center for the following trains:


• Departs Grand Central 8:46 a.m.
  Arrives Tarrytown 9:23 a.m.
   
• Departs Tarrytown 5:34 p.m. (Van leaves RAC at 5:15 p.m.)
  Arrives Grand Central 6:17 p.m.


This train schedule, as well as the fares, may be subject to change. It is advisable to call Metro-North at (800) METRO-INFO or (212) 532-4900 or access their web site (http://www.mta.info) to verify departure times or verify fares. If you have arranged to use RAC transportation from the station and your plans change please call us. There is a taxi stand at the Tarrytown station. One-way taxi fare is approximately $10. During the winter, if ice or snow is predicted for suburban New York, it is advisable to telephone the RAC (914 631-4505) immediately prior to your visit since weather conditions may warrant closure or delayed opening of the Center. A recording noting a closure or delayed opening is generally posted by 7:30 a.m.

From Manhattan -- West Side:
Take West Side Highway north onto Henry Hudson Parkway, then north onto Saw Mill River Parkway. Exit parkway at the Saw Mill River Road - Eastview exit. At foot of exit ramp turn left onto Old Saw Mill River Road and drive about 0.6 miles (the Tarrytown Reservoir will be on your left). Make the first right turn at stop sign (Lake Road). Drive uphill for 0.6 miles. You will pass a stone wall with a wrought iron fence on your right. Turn right at the first street (Dayton Ave.). Go one block and turn right onto the RAC driveway (Highland Ave.). To enter the grounds of the Center, please follow the instructions on the access keypad on the left side of the driveway in front of the gate; you cannot use a mobile phone for this purpose.

From Manhattan -- East Side:
Take FDR/East River Drive north to Willis Ave. Bridge. Move into the left lane of the bridge. Turn left at end of bridge. Turn left at intersection and proceed onto the Major Deegan Expressway (Interstate 87) north. Continue onto the Thruway. Take Exit 7A - Saw Mill River Parkway/ Taconic Parkway north. Exit Saw Mill River parkway at the Saw Mill River Road - Eastview exit. At foot of exit ramp turn left onto Old Saw Mill River Road and drive about 0.6 miles (the Tarrytown Reservoir will be on your left). Make the first right turn at stop sign (Lake Road). Drive uphill for 0.6 miles. You will pass a stone wall with a wrought iron fence on your right. Turn right at the first street (Dayton Ave.). Go one block and turn right onto the RAC driveway (Highland Ave.). To enter the grounds of the Center, please follow the instructions on the access keypad on the left side of the driveway in front of the gate; you cannot use a mobile phone for this purpose.

From New Jersey and Upper New York State
Follow Thruway (Interstate 87-287) across the Tappan Zee Bridge to Exit 9 (first exit off bridge; about 0.2 miles from toll booths). At light turn right onto Route 9 (Broadway) north . Follow Route 9 north about 1.6 miles through Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow to Route 448 (Bedford Road). At this intersection turn right onto Route 448 towards Pleasantville and drive 1.5 miles to stop sign. Route 448 will turn left. Do not turn. Go straight ahead onto Dayton Avenue. Go one block and turn right onto RAC driveway (Highland Ave.). To enter the grounds of the Center, please follow the instructions on the access keypad on the left side of the driveway in front of the gate; you cannot use a mobile phone for this purpose.

From Upper Westchester and New England
Drive South on Saw Mill River parkway. Exit parkway at the Saw Mill River Road - Eastview exit. At foot of exit ramp turn right onto Old Saw Mill River Road and drive about 0.6 miles (the Tarrytown Reservoir will be on your left). Make the first right turn at stop sign (Lake Road). Drive uphill for 0.6 miles. You will pass a stone wall with a wrought iron fence on your right. Turn right at the first street (Dayton Ave.). Go one block and turn right onto the RAC driveway (Highland Ave.). To enter the grounds of the Center, please follow the instructions on the access keypad on the left side of the driveway in front of the gate; you cannot use a mobile phone for this purpose.

From Connecticut
From Merritt Parkway or Connecticut Turnpike take right onto Interstate 287 (Cross Westchester Expressway) westbound to Exit 3-Sprain Brook Parkway north. Drive 1.5 miles to first exit -Eastview/Route 100C. Turn left at top of ramp. Continue for about one mile; stay on the road that bears to the right and is marked Old Saw Mill River Road. Proceed straight for about 1.2 miles. Pass under the Landmark at Eastview building, the Saw Mill Parkway. Drive about 0.6 miles (the Tarrytown Reservoir will be on your left). Make the first right turn at stop sign (Lake Road). Drive uphill for 0.6 miles. You will pass a stone wall with a wrought iron fence on your right. Turn right at the first street (Dayton Ave.).Go one block and turn right onto the RAC driveway (Highland Ave.). To enter the grounds of the Center, please follow the instructions on the access keypad on the left side of the driveway in front of the gate; you cannot use a mobile phone for this purpose.

From Long Island
From either the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge or the Throgs Neck Bridge, follow signs to the Hutchinson River Parkway north to Interstate 287 (Cross Westchester Expressway) westbound to Exit 3-Sprain Brook Parkway north. Drive 1.5 miles to first exit -Eastview/Route 100C. Turn left at top of ramp. Continue for about one mile; stay on the road that bears to the right and is marked Old Saw Mill River Road. Proceed straight for about 1.2 miles. Pass under the Landmark at Eastview building, the Saw Mill Parkway. Drive about 0.6 miles (the Tarrytown Reservoir will be on your left). Make the first right turn at stop sign (Lake Road). Drive uphill for 0.6 miles. You will pass a stone wall with a wrought iron fence on your right. Turn right at the first street (Dayton Ave.). Go one block and turn right onto the RAC driveway (Highland Ave.). To enter the grounds of the Center, please follow the instructions on the access keypad on the left side of the driveway in front of the gate; you cannot use a mobile phone for this purpose.

Researchers without private transportation should bring a lunch since there are no stores or restaurants in the Pocantico Hills area of Sleepy Hollow. The RAC provides a refrigerator, microwave, hot plate, assorted soft drinks, and tea and coffee for researchers' use.

In accordance with archival preservation standards, the Reading Room is kept cool. It is suggested that researchers bring warm clothing to wear in the Reading Room.

The Rockefeller Archive Center offers researchers and other visitors wireless access to the internet in all public places in the building. Researchers with laptops equipped with a wireless network card will receive the signal automatically.

Researchers wishing to access material at the Archive Center must register using RACcess, our online request and duplication management system.

You can find information about our collections by searching our online catalog, DIMES.

On your first visit, an archivist will meet you in the lobby of the Archive Center and familiarize you with the Center's facilities, rules, and regulations. In this research interview, the archivist will review all relevant RAC forms and guidelines, demonstrate how to request material for duplication, and discuss with you the use of cameras in the reading room. The archivist will review your previously completed RACcess registration and check your photo ID at this time.

Please Note: Starting on January 4, 2016, retrieval of archival material will be by the box. We will no longer retrieve individual folders. Your retrievals will also be limited to 10 boxes at a time. However, in your RACcess account, you can keep as many requests as you like saved, for review. This enables you to move them into active status as you finish using boxes you have already requested.

Reading Room Rules
Allowed in the reading room
• Pencils, paper, notes, laptop computer, tablets, cameras, and cell phones are allowed in the reading room. Only pencils may be used for note taking. Pencils and notebook paper will be provided upon request.
Not allowed in the reading room
• All briefcases, envelopes, computer cases, bags, and purses must be left in the lockers.
• Handheld scanners and pens are not permitted.
• The volume on computers should be turned down to the minimum. Cell phones should be set to silent/vibrate.
• Food, drink, tobacco items, and chewing gum, are prohibited in the reading room. Eating and drinking are limited to the researchers' lounge on the ground floor. Smoking is prohibited in the building.
Handling archival materials
• You are responsible for the care and safe handling of any material made available in the reading room. Researchers may not remove materials from the reading room for any purpose.
• You may examine one folder at a time; the folder must remain flat on the table. Please do not rearrange the order of materials in folders or boxes.
• Manuscripts may not be leaned on, written on, folded anew, traced, fastened with rubber bands, or handled in any way likely to damage them.
• Archive Center staff will supply appropriate weights and/or cradles for handling bound volumes.
• Papers may be examined at the end of the day.

You may photograph collection materials for study purposes only, and as allowed by the Archive Center, based on the physical condition of the materials, copyright law, donor restrictions, and reading room rules. By using a camera, you agree to the following conditions:


• The Archive Center staff can limit the number of images photographed. Use of the camera may be postponed at the discretion of the reference staff.
• Handle materials with care and according to the Archive Center rules. Items will not be removed from their protective sleeves. Pages must be kept in original order at all times. Researchers may not reposition material to achieve a better quality copy.
• No tripods, camera flashes, special lighting or extra equipment are permitted. Standing on chairs, tables, or other furniture is not permitted. It is also understood that it is not always possible to provide optimum lighting or space conditions for photography. Archival staff will not assist with the use of the camera.
• Photography must not disturb other patrons. Photographs of the staff, reading room or other researchers are not permitted.
• Citation slips are available for your convenience. Each image should contain a completed citation slip, which should be placed under the folder and be visible in the photograph. It is the responsibility of the researcher to keep complete and accurate citations for all items photographed. Follow-up requests cannot be processed without this information. The Archive Center staff will not check the accuracy of citations.
• The photographs are for private study, scholarship, and research only. They will not be published in print, posted on the Internet, or exhibited. They will not be donated, sold, or provided to another repository.

The making of a duplicate does not imply permission to publish in whole or in part or in any form. You are responsible for clearing any copyright claims from the appropriate rights holders.

The Rockefeller Archive Center may decline to copy certain documents that in its judgment may suffer damage as a result of photocopying.

Duplication is done on a first-come, first-served basis. The Archive Center cannot guarantee to furnish photocopies by a specific time.

Procedures:
1. Documents to be copied should remain in place in their folders.
2. Fill out Request Form (blue for photocopy, green for PDFs, yellow for scans).
3. Place a completed copy-request slip around each document or group of consecutive documents to be copied. Wrap the slip so that it extends from the top of folder. Any special instructions (e.g., "both sides," "pages xx to xx,") and all bibliographic information should be added to these slips, as this helps us accurately complete your order.
4. For unusually sized items, please ask the monitor for assistance in attaching the photocopy slip.
5. Return the folder to the original box. Place a blank request form so that it is viewable from outside box (using the appropriate colored blank form(s) to denote the types of duplication requests contained within the box).
6. If you have any question about duplication procedures, please ask the reading-room monitor.

Photocopying or PDFs
Duplication requests for photocopies or PDFs are limited to 500 pages per order.
Unit cost: $0.50 per page
Service charge: $25.00 per order
Shipping:
• Electronic Delivery: free (PDFs only)
• USPS (Domestic): $6.00
• USPS (Mexico/Canada): variable cost
• FedEx (International): variable cost

Scans (TIFF or JPEG)
Unit cost: $25.00 per image
Service charge: $25.00 per order
Shipping:

• Electronic Delivery: free
• USPS (Domestic): $6.00
• USPS (Mexico/Canada): $12.00
• FedEx (International): $14.00

Audiovisual Materials
The following fee schedule applies to audiovisual materials for which we have DVD access copies. If access copies do not exist, the fee schedule under "Outsourced Duplication" applies.
Unit cost: $15.00 per title (usually one title per DVD)
Service charge: $25.00 per order
Shipping (up to 20 DVDs):

• USPS (Domestic): $6.00
• USPS (Mexico/Canada): $12.00
• FedEx (International): $14.00

Outsourced Duplication
Duplication of any material that is larger than 11 by 17 inches, bound, three-dimensional, fragile, or damaged, as well as duplication of audiovisual materials, will be outsourced to an external vendor. Please contact us at archive@rockarch.org for further details including time and cost estimates.

The Rockefeller Archive Center has microfilm reader scanners which allow researchers to print, and to save images from the microfilm onto flash drives. Researchers should consider bringing a flash drive if they will be using microfilm.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to make his or her own accommodation reservations.

Since public transportation is not available directly to the Archive Center, it is strongly recommended that researchers have a car available when staying at any of the Westchester County hotels listed below. Approximate driving time to the RAC (depending on traffic conditions) follows each hotel.

NOTE: Please telephone the hotel for current rates. Since rates are subject to change without notice it is necessary to telephone the hotel to obtain a rate when planning each new trip to the Center. When you make your reservation ask for the lowest rate available during your stay, since special promotional rates may apply. Some hotels also may offer discounts for AAA and AARP members.

HOTELS/MOTELS IN THE SLEEPY HOLLOW AREA

SHERATON TARRYTOWN HOTEL (www.sheratontarrytown.com) (Ten-minute drive) 600 White Plains Rd. (Rt. 119), Tarrytown, NY 10591
* For special Rockefeller Archive Center researcher rates, call the hotel directly at (914) 332-7900 or the Central Reservations Office at 1-888-627-8523, and mention that you are conducting research at the Archive Center.

SPRING HILL SUITES by MARRIOTT (www.tarrytownspringhill.com) (Ten-minute drive; complimentary morning local shuttle available to the RAC) 480 White Plains Rd. (Rt. 119), Tarrytown, NY 10591 (914) 366-4600

DOUBLETREE HOTEL TARRYTOWN (http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/TERHIDT-Doubletree-Hotel-Tarrytown-New-York/index.do) (Ten-minute drive) 455 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591 Tel: (914) 631-5700

COMFORT INN AND SUITES (www.comfortinn.com) (Ten-minute drive) 20 Saw Mill River Road (Rt. 9A), Hawthorne, NY 10532 Tel: (914) 592-8600

TARRYTOWN HOUSE ESTATE (www.tarrytownhouseestate.com) (Ten-minute drive) East Sunnyside Lane and Broadway (Rt. 9), Tarrytown, NY 10591 Tel: (914) 591-8200; (800) 553-8118

EXTENDED STAY AMERICA (www.exstay.com) (Ten-minute drive) 118 Tarrytown Road (Rt. 119), Elmsford, NY 10523 Tel: (914) 347-8073; (800) 398-7029

HAMPTON INN (www.hamptoninn.com) (Ten-minute drive) 200 Tarrytown Road (Rt. 119), Elmsford, NY 10523 Tel: (914) 592-5680

LA QUINTA INN & SUITES (seven-minute drive) 540 Saw Mill River Road (Rt. 9A), Elmsford, NY 10523, Tel: (914) 592-3300; (800) 642-4271

MARRIOTT COURTYARD (www.courtyard.com) (Ten-minute drive) 475 White Plains Rd. (Rt. 119), Tarrytown, NY 10591 Tel: (914) 631-1122

WESTCHESTER MARRIOTT (www.marriot.com) (Ten-minute drive) 670 White Plains Rd. (Rt. 119), Tarrytown, NY 10591 Tel: (914) 631-2200

HOLIDAY INN CROWNE PLAZA (www.crowneplaza.com) (Fifteen/twenty-minute drive) 66 Hale Ave., White Plains, NY 10601 Tel: (914) 682-0050

RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT WHITE PLAINS (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/nycwp-residence-inn-white-plains-westchester-county/) (Fifteen/twenty-minute drive) 5 Barker Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601 Tel: (914)761-7700


BED & BREAKFASTS IN THE SLEEPY HOLLOW AREA

Several local listings for B & B's (search in Irvington, Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, Briarcliff, Pleasantville, and Ossining) are listed at AIRBNB website at: www.airbnb.com


LONG-TERM RENTALS

Homestay, Inc. Tel: (914) 941-4347; e-mail: info@homestayny.us. For a fee, this organization will arrange house stays in private homes on a monthly basis in Westchester County and several parts of New York City.


LODGING IN NEW YORK CITY

Metro-North train time approximately 45 minutes from Grand Central Terminal to Tarrytown. See Transportation to the Center section of this document for more information on trains, and RAC van service and taxi service to the RAC from Tarrytown station. For those with cars, driving time to RAC from Manhattan approximately 40 to 60-plus minutes, depending on traffic.

NYC & COMPANY (www.nycgo.com/hotels) (CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU INFORMATION) Tel: (212) 484-1222.

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE (www.ihouse-nyc.org) Tel: (212) 316-8436; 500 Riverside Drive at W.122 Street, NY, NY 10027. Dormitory accommodation, mid-May through mid-August. Also, limited number of guest suites with air conditioning and color TV available year round. Suites telephone: (212) 316-8473. NYC bus available to Metro-North Rail station at W. 125 St.

VANDERBILT YMCA Tel: (212) 756-9600; 224 E. 47th St., NY, NY. Single rooms and Double room (with bunk beds); shared bathrooms. Very close to Grand Central Station.

The following have been recommended by past RAC researchers, whose comments follow each listing:

BED & BREAKFAST MONT MORRIS, 56 W. 120th Street, NYC. A very comfortable restored Harlem brownstone. Easy access to subway and 125th Street Metro-North station.

Hotel 57, 130 East 57th St., NYC Tel: (212) 753-8841. A clean, central location, reasonable rates, but noisy, since E. 57th Street is a main thoroughfare.

THE LEO HOUSE, 332 West 23rd St. (between 8th & 9th Aves.), NYC Tel: (212) 929-1010; Reservations: (800) 732-2438. Clean, quiet, reasonable in convenient location. Rooms with private bathrooms available. Nonprofit accommodation run by Catholic nuns.

Rockefeller State Park Preserve: an idyllic spot for strolling, jogging, horseback riding, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing

Historic Hudson Valley: a network of historic sites in Sleepy Hollow Country, including Kykuit, the Rockefeller Family estate, and Union Church of Pocantico Hills

Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture: acres of gardens, pastures and woods, where the rich traditions of community-based farming merge with the 21st century

The Westchester County Travel Guide, an annual publication which provides detailed information on what's going on in Westchester is available at www.westchestertourism.com or by phoning the Westchester County Office of Tourism at (800) 833-9282 or (914) 995-8500.