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Please note that Rockefeller Archive Center is undergoing renovations during the spring and early summer months. We expect that inconvenience to researchers using our reading room will be minimal. However, there is a possibility that fulfillment of requests for archival material could be slightly delayed.
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 5:15 p.m.
The Rockefeller Archive Center (RAC) is closed on the following days:
- January: New Year's Day - January 1*; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - third Monday in January: January 18, 2010
- February: Presidents' Day - third Monday in February: February 15, 2010
- May: Memorial Day* - last Monday in May: May 31, 2010
- July: Independence Day*
- September: Labor Day* - first Monday in September
- November: Thanksgiving* - fourth Thursday and Friday in November: November 26-27, 2009
- December: Christmas* - closed for a week during the Christmas and New Year period: Friday, December 25, through Friday, January 1, 2010
* 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; the day prior to the Christmas holiday period, and on New Year's Eve. 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:
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Departs Grand Central 8:20 a.m.
Arrives Tarrytown 9:13 a.m.
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Departs Tarrytown 5:53 p.m. (Van leaves RAC at 5:25 p.m.)
Arrives Grand Central 6:38 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 Tarrytown station and your plans change please call us. There is a taxi stand at the Tarrytown station (update- January 2010: due to construction, the taxi stand has been temporarily moved across the street from the 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.
(Get detailed directions from Google Maps)
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.). You must use the keypad and speaker located on the left side of the driveway to request access; you cannot use a cell 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 (pay 50 cent toll). 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.). You must use the keypad and speaker located on the left side of the driveway to request access; you cannot use a cell 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.). You must use the keypad and speaker located on the left side of the driveway to request access; you cannot use a cell 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.). You must use the keypad and speaker located on the left side of the driveway to request access; you cannot use a cell 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.). You must use the keypad and speaker located on the left side of the driveway to request access; you cannot use a cell 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.). You must use the keypad and speaker located on the left side of the driveway to request access; you cannot use a cell 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. Researcher with laptops equipped with a wireless network card will get the signal automatically.
We suggest reviewing A Researcher's Guide to Reference at the Rockefeller Archive Center.
On their first visit, researchers are met in the lobby of the Archive Center by the archivist who will conduct the registration interview. The researcher is oriented to the building and taken to the second floor library where the interview and registration take place.
All researchers are interviewed by an archivist to familiarize them with the Center's facilities, rules, and regulations. As part of the interview process, the researcher must complete the registration form on the computer in the library. The researcher signs the registration form and shows photo ID after reading "Rules Governing the Use of Manuscripts."
The archivist reviews all relevant RAC forms and guidelines, including the "Rules Governing the Use of Manuscripts," "Photocopying for Researchers," "Request for Copies," and "Examples of Citations." The archivist demonstrates how to request material for photocopying.
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All briefcases, envelopes, notebooks, bags, cellphones, and purses must be left at the designated area.
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Researchers are responsible for the protection of any material made available to them in the reading room. Researchers may not remove materials from the reading room for any purpose or rearrange the order of materials in folders or boxes.
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Researchers must examine one folder at a time; the folder must remain flat on the table.
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Manuscripts may not be leaned on, written on, folded anew, traced, fastened with rubber bands, or handled in any way likely to damage them.
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Only pencils may be used for notetaking. Pencils and notebook paper will be provided upon request. Typewriters, computers, word processors, and tape recorders may be used at the discretion of the reading room supervisor. The Rockefeller Archive Center does not permit digital scanning of its documents.
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All papers will be examined when the researcher leaves the reading room.
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Food, drink, tobacco items, and chewing gum (but not lozenges), are prohibited in the reading room. Eating and drinking are limited to the researcher's lounge on the ground floor. Smoking is prohibited in the building.
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Starting on December 1, 2009, there will be no retrievals during the hours of 11:30 and 2:30.
All personal belongings should be placed in lockers. Researchers may bring into the reading room pencils, paper, notes, and a laptop computer. Handheld scanners are not permitted. The volume on computers should be turned down to the minimum.
The cost of photocopying archival material during any calendar year is limited to a maximum of 2000 per year. The price for the copies are as follows:
.40/page for 1-1000 copies
.55/page for 1001-2000 copies
NOTE: Photocopies made for off-site researchers are charged at .70 per page for all copies. The number of copies made for off-site researchers is limited to 100 during a calendar year. All archival material is copied by an Archive Center staff member, and photocopying may take up to six weeks to be completed.
The making of a photocopy does not imply permission to publish all or part of it in any form; a separate application is necessary to obtain such permission. The Rockefeller Archive Center may decline to copy documents that may suffer damage as a result of photocopying.
For more information, see Photocopying for Researchers
Contact us for information regarding permission and duplication fees of photographs, slides, etc.
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; complimentary morning local shuttle available to the RAC) 600 White Plains Rd. (Rt. 119), Tarrytown, NY 10591
* For special Rockefeller Archive Center researcher rates book room through Natalie Serse, Sales Manager at natalieserse@sheratontarrytown.com or at (914) 460-2003.
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
(These three locations have been recommended by RAC researchers:)
Croton-on-Hudson, NY: Alexander Hamilton House (914) 271-6737
OSSINING, NY: Maureen Morgan, (914) 762-5512
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.
BED & BREAKFAST NETWORK OF NEW YORK Tel: (800) 900-8134; (212) 645-8134
NYC & COMPANY (www.nycvisit.com/site-hotels.com) (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.
GAMUT REALTY GROUP, Tel: 212-879-4229 or 800-437-8353. Agency offering bed & breakfast accommodation and furnished-apartment accommodation on a nightly or long-term basis. Very good experience.
HABITAT HOTEL, 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.
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