Established in 1995, the Ayn Rand Archives is a corporate repository maintained by the Ayn Rand Institute. In 1992 the Estate of Ayn Rand donated a portion of the Ayn Rand Papers to the Library of Congress. In 1995, the Estate placed the remaining papers with the Ayn Rand Institute, to which it is gradually transferring ownership.
In addition to housing the Ayn Rand Papers (which occupy 150 linear feet), the Ayn Rand Archives collects items by and about Ayn Rand and her influence—including institutional records, personal papers, A/V collections, personal libraries, artworks, furniture, and artifacts.
Access to the Archives is granted at the discretion of the Ayn Rand Institute. We will respond to research queries and general reference questions. Please allow up to two weeks for responses.
The Ayn Rand Archives welcomes donations of enduring historical value. Prospective donors of personal papers, corporate records, A/V materials, and artifacts should contact us at archives@aynrand.org.
We have one active volunteer project, involving the transcription (typing) of Ayn Rand’s handwritten material from her personal papers. If you are interested in joining this project, please contact us at archives@aynrand.org.
Audra Hilse
Archivist
Audra Hilse is the archivist at the Ayn Rand Archives, where she manages the Archives’ collections and staff. She holds a BA in History, an MLIS, a Digital Archives Specialist certificate from the Society of American Archivists and is a graduate of the Objectivist Academic Center. Prior to joining ARI, she worked at corporate archives and county historical societies. (See here for her Expert information.)
Brandon Lisi
Associate Archivist
Brandon Lisi is a historian who manages the physical holdings of the Ayn Rand Archives and assists with digital archival projects. He also writes articles for ARI’s online journal, New Ideal, and for Ayn Rand Today, based on his archival research. Mr. Lisi holds a master’s degree in history and is a graduate of ARU. (See here for his Expert information.)
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