Overview

Introduction

The Rockefeller Archive Center is a repository of historical materials and a research center dedicated to the study of philanthropy and the many domains touched by American foundations, individual donors, and the civil society organizations they support. It was established in 1974 initially to gather, preserve, and make accessible the records of the Rockefeller family and their far-reaching philanthropic endeavors, such as the Rockefeller Foundation, and Rockefeller Brothers Fund. The Archive Center has grown and today holds the archives of major foundations, cultural organizations, research institutions, and many individuals associated with these organizations.

Over 400 researchers from around the world – graduate students, professors, independent scholars, and journalists – visit annually. Their research topics range from the history of medicine, science, and public health to such fields as the arts, agriculture, social sciences, urban affairs, and public policy. The RAC also seeks to connect and sustain its scholarly community through workshops, conferences, and support for sessions at academic gatherings.

Collections

The Rockefeller Archive Center preserves and makes accessible its ever-expanding holdings, which include the records of over forty organizations and over one hundred individuals. The selections below illustrate the breadth of the collections.

Principal Institutional Collections

Asia Society
Commonwealth Fund
Ford Foundation
Foundation Center
Henry Luce Foundation
Institute of International Education
John A. Hartford Foundation
Markle Foundation
Near East Foundation
Population Council
Rockefeller Brothers Fund
Rockefeller Foundation
Russell Sage Foundation
Social Science Research Council
Taconic Foundation
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
William T. Grant Foundation

Agriculture and Development

Agricultural Development Council
American International Association for Economic and Social Development
International Basic Economy Corporation

New York City and Urban Issues

Bureau of Social Hygiene
Downtown-Lower Manhattan Association, Inc.
Spelman Fund of New York

Culture

Arts, Education and Americans Panel
Asian Cultural Council
JDR 3rd Fund
Martha Baird Rockefeller Fund for Music

Science and Health

China Medical Board, Inc.
Health Research Fund
Rockefeller Sanitary Commission

International Relations

National Committee on United States-China Relations
Trilateral Commission

Environment and Conservation

American Conservation Association
Jackson Hole Preserve, Inc.

Education

Foundation for Child Development
General Education Board
International Education Board
Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial
Lucille P. Markey Charitable Trust
Sealantic Fund
Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation

Papers of Individuals

Claude H. Barlow Papers
Jackson Davis Papers
Paul Ehrlich Papers
Frederick T. Gates Papers
Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Papers
David Rockefeller Papers
John D. Rockefeller Papers
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Papers
John D. Rockefeller 3rd Papers
Laurance S. Rockefeller Papers
Nelson A. Rockefeller Papers
Office of the Messrs. Rockefeller
William Rockefeller Papers
Winthrop Rockefeller Papers
Hao Wang Papers
Warren Weaver Papers
William H. Whyte Papers
Malcolm Wilson Papers