Guidelines for On-Site Research

By appointment only, Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm.  Other hours may be possible if Office of NIH History and Stetten Museum (ONHM) staff are available to assist.

All researchers must complete the information request form in advance so that the office can prepare for your visit. Once you have completed the request form, a member of ONHM’s staff will contact you within 5 business days to set up an appointment to discuss your visit. Depending on your interests, you may be able to conduct a preliminary search of our holdings via our website:  https://history.nih.gov/ and our online catalogue: https://onih.pastperfectonline.com/.

If you are collaborating with others on a research initiative, please try to limit your party to two people per visit so that ONHM staff can better attend to your individual needs. Accommodations can be made for larger groups with advanced notice.

While you are conducting research on site:

• You must check-in each day and indicate that you have read and agree to abide by these rules.
• Bags and coats must be left in a separate, safe area. For security reasons, anything you bring into the research area will be subject to check by ONHM staff when you arrive and before you depart.
• All food and open containers are prohibited in research areas. Closed water bottles are allowed, but they must be kept off the research table and away from all ONHM materials.
• Our stacks are not open to researchers, and all of our materials are non-circulating.
• Scans and photocopies can be made by request. Non-flash photography and personal scanning devices are permitted.
• ONHM staff will bring two boxes of materials at a time to researchers. Materials must be put back where found.
• Only pencils are allowed in the research area. Erasers and ink pens of any type are prohibited.
• No sharp objects are allowed in the building.