The archives at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum collect, preserve, and make accessible the historic records and collections of William Kissam Vanderbilt II and select members of the Vanderbilt family. The Museum’s archives contain more than 13,000 unique items, including:
The archives are open to researchers by appointment during the week. Please contact Killian Taylor, the Archives and Records Manager, to schedule an appointment or submit a research request.
The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum provides access to its digital collections with support from community partners and organizations. All digital assets comply with FADGI technical guidelines for digitizing cultural heritage materials and are available for reproduction upon request. Search the Museum’s digital collections on New York Heritage and Preservica.
The archives actively seek new materials related to the life of William Kissam Vanderbilt II and his immediate family. Historic photographs, letters, and ephemera from the Vanderbilts will be reviewed and accepted on a case-by-case basis. The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum does not accept donations of period antiques or natural history specimens from the general public.
Written permission is required for the use and reproduction of archival materials maintained by the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum. The reproduction of certain items may be subject to a publication fee, depending on the nature of their intended use. The standard fees for the reproduction of archival materials are as follows:
