Archives - In Person Research

Our mission is to preserve and make available the historic materials of North Dakota and you can help! The North Dakota Heritage Center provided the best possible environment to retard deterioration of historical research materials, but we need your help to prevent damage to collections.

• Books, handbags, briefcases, etc. must be place in a locker. Keys for lockers are issued by the reference staff. Coats, hats, umbrellas, etc. must be placed on the coat rack.
• Visitors may bring paper, pencil, and necessary notebooks into the research room. All other materials must be stored in lockers provided in the Reading Room.
• Sign the researchers’ registration book and complete a request slip for material needed. Be sure to record on the request slip the entire call number as well as the author and title of the material you wish to use. These request slips must be returned to a reference staff member at the end of your research.
• Most materials at the State Archives are in closed stacks and do not circulate. Visitors wishing to examine archival materials must complete a researcher request form. A reference section is available for browsing and computer terminals allow users to search the WorldCat library catalog.
• Scanning services are available as time permits. Requests are handled by Archives staff who reserve the right to prohibit the scanning of rare or fragile documents.  Fees are charged per image scanned. Please plan for a minimum of three weeks to complete the request.
• Photocopying services are available at the State Archives on a time-available basis. Photocopying requests are handled by Archives staff who reserve the right to prohibit the copying of rare or fragile documents.

• If you require copies, place a flag on top of the item – do not remove it from the folder
• If you need an excess of 25 copies, please contact a member of the reference staff
• All copies must be stamped
• After copying, please place the item back in the folder and remove the flag
• All copying must be completed and paid for before 4:30 p.m.
• Return all materials to the main desk when you leave

• Researchers must comply with copyright law when publishing anything from our collections. Information on copyright law is available from the reference staff.
• Microfilm is available on a self-serve basis in the Reading Room, but we ask that researchers return film to the baskets on the microfilm cabinets and not refile the film into the cabinets.
• Copy counters are available for microfilm reader/printers so researchers can make their own copies and keep a tally of how many copies they made at the end of the day.
• Scanning services are available as time permits. Requests are handled by Archives staff, who reserve the right to prohibit the scanning of rare or fragile documents. Fees are charged per image scanned. Please plan for a minimum of three weeks to complete the request.
• Use of personal computers is permitted in the Reading Room where free wifi internet access is available. Cameras may not be used to photograph manuscript, archival, or photographic materials. Personal scanners may not be used in the Reading Room.
• Researchers are requested to cite or credit the State Historical Society of North Dakota in all footnote and bibliographic references when archives, manuscripts, photographs, and all other non-published sources are used in publications or other works.

Ask an Archivist – email research
If distance or scheduling conflicts don't allow you to come to the State Archives, or if you prefer your computer to your telephone, we can still try to help you find the answer to your question. This service is for everyone!

Patrons requesting general information about the State Archives’ manuscripts, newspapers, and other holdings can contact us by email. Requests for our search service must include the name of the individual to be searched for, the type and location of record, and the dates to be searched. Queries which lack this data will be delayed. Please include your full name and postal address, as well as your e-mail address in the body of the message.

Emails, letters, and phone calls will be answered in the order in which they are received.

Address:
612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
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Hours:
State Museum and Store: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F; Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
We are closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. We are closed at noon Christmas Eve if it falls on Mon.-Thurs. and are closed all day if it falls on Fri.-Sun.
State Archives: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F, except state holidays; 2nd Sat. of each month, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Appointments are recommended. To schedule an appointment, please contact us at 701.328.2091 or archives@nd.gov.
State Historical Society offices: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F, except state holidays.

Contact Us:
phone: 701.328.2666
email: history@nd.gov

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