Film and Production Design Research Directory
For production designers and filmmakers, authenticity lives in the details—the precise layout of a 1960s office, the authentic signage of a 1970s gas station, or the technical schematics of a vintage spacecraft. This ever-expanding research hub catalogues 100+ libraries, museums, and archives essential for production design research and film research, connecting you to primary sources that bridge historical accuracy and creative vision.
Discover:
- Digital goldmines like the Smithsonian’s 3D artifact scans or Life magazine’s full photo archive
- Physical-only collections offering hands-on access to architectural blueprints or mid-century furniture archives
- Niche specialists in railway design (Streamliner Memories), Japanese cinema (National Film Archive of Japan), and postwar consumer goods (Vintage Mail-Order Catalogues)
Whether you’re designing a period-accurate living room or creating a futuristic cityscape, these institutions answer the fundamental questions of film research: How were spaces organized? What materials were used? How did technology shape environments?
Help grow this list—email us with lesser-known archives that deserve inclusion.
Libraries, Museums, and Archives for Film and Production Design Research
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Research Library
Complement to Margaret Herrick Library, with physical artifacts.
Alvar Aalto’s Architecture Reference Library
American Sign Museum
The American Sign Museum offers a selection of its iconic collection online, which contains more than 800 signs, 1,500 photographs, 175 artworks, 300 tools, equipment and supply materials, in addition to countless ephemera and other sign-related artifacts. Browse digitized highlights to discover the artistry and evolution of commercial signs across the decades.
Anthology Film Archives
As the leading institution dedicated to avant-garde and experimental cinema, Anthology Film Archives preserves and celebrates the boldest visions in film history. Its unparalleled collection spans underground classics, structuralist works, and boundary-pushing contemporary films. Whether you’re researching rare prints or discovering radical cinema, Anthology Film Archives remains the essential global hub for the avant-garde.
ArchInform International Architecture Database
Art Directors Guild Collection at the Margaret Herrick Library
The ADG Collection at the Margaret Herrick Library safeguards over 1,300 production illustrations, set designs, and archival materials documenting cinematic worldbuilding. While the complete physical archive requires in-person research, select watermarked digital files are available online, including Golden Age matte paintings, 1970s concept art, and guild exhibition catalogs. Notable digitized items feature Blade Runner pre-visualization art and mid-century title design sketches, while the full collection in Los Angeles contains unmarked originals, blueprints, and oral histories.
Artefacts Canada
The Artefacts Canada database, with the contribution of Canada’s heritage institutions, contains more than 4 million object records and more than 1 million images from Canadian museums.
Art Directors Guild Research Library and Archives
The Art Directors Guild’s dedicated research library offers production designers physical access to a specialized collection of set blueprints, location photos, and continuity scripts from classic and contemporary films. While primarily an in-person resource in Los Angeles, its catalogue reveals deep holdings in mid-century studio design, sci-fi worldbuilding, and practical effects documentation—ideal for tracing Hollywood’s visual evolution. Highlights include the original work of renowned Production Designers Robert Boyle and Gene Allen. Visit by appointment only.
Art Gallery of Ontario – The Collection
The Art Gallery of Ontario allows online users to view and compare objects from the AGO collection.
ASU FIDM Museum Collection
Explore a stunning array of garments and accessories from the 18th century to today at the ASU FIDM Museum Collection. This collaboration between Arizona State University and FIDM showcases over 15,000 pieces, including haute couture, Hollywood costumes, and everyday fashion. Perfect for designers, historians, and style enthusiasts, the collection offers a vibrant look at the evolution of dress and design.
Austrian Film Museum
Dedicated to preserving and celebrating film as an art form, Vienna’s Austrian Film Museum is a haven for cinephiles. Its archive showcases rare works, from avant-garde classics to influential documentaries, with a special focus on pioneers like Dziga Vertov and Amos Vogel. Beyond screenings, the museum offers insightful publications and DVDs for deeper exploration.
Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library – Columbia University
Rare architectural drawings.
Bauhaus-Archiv
Foundational modernist design, especially for 1920s–40s.
Beinecke Library
Explore rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and archival materials from the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Yale University. Their growing digital collections provide free online access to unique historical and cultural treasures, from medieval manuscripts to modern literary archives.
Berlin Film Museum Archives
Strong on German Expressionism and postwar cinema.
Better Homes and Gardens Magazine Archive
Access this fully searchable digital archive featuring every issue of Better Homes and Gardens from 1922 onward. This valuable resource (free with registration) allows researchers, historians, and designers to trace changing trends in interior design, cooking, gardening, and American family life across generations.
Berg Collection – New York Public Library
Located at the New York Public Library, the Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature is a premier archive for literary scholars and enthusiasts. Its rich holdings include printed volumes, pamphlets, rare manuscripts, first editions, and personal papers of iconic authors like Virginia Woolf, Charles Dickens, and Jack Kerouac. While access is primarily in-person, select digitized materials and exhibitions offer online glimpses into its treasures.
The British Library
As the national library of the United Kingdom and one of the world’s greatest research libraries, The British Library houses over 170 million items spanning centuries and continents. Its vast collections include rare manuscripts like the Magna Carta, iconic literary drafts (Shakespeare, Austen, and more), historic maps, sound recordings, and digital archives. While many resources require in-person access, its online collections, virtual exhibitions, and digitized treasures—from ancient texts to punk flyers—offer endless exploration for researchers and curious minds everywhere.
British Motor Museum Motorgraphs Archive
The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust has joined forces with Motorfilms – the team behind Heritage Motoring Films and Motorfilms Quarterly – to bring you the best of their picture library online. Now you can browse through more than 100 years of images depicting motoring, racing, rallying, advertising, manufacturing and social history, using marque, year and collection as filters to refine your searches.
Building Technology Heritage Library
Explore a specialized collection of historic building and construction manuals (1872–1964), digitized for architects, preservationists, and DIY enthusiasts. The Building Technology Heritage Library offers free access to rare catalogues, trade literature, and technical guides, showcasing evolving materials and methods from the late 19th to mid-20th century.
Calisphere
Dive into millions of primary sources from museums, libraries, and universities across California with Calisphere. This free gateway offers access to photographs, documents, oral histories, and more—showcasing the state’s diverse cultures, histories, and innovations.
CCCA Canadian Art Database
The CCCA database contains over 62,000 images and media files, as well as text and project materials significant to research and teaching in Canadian Art.
Chicago Public Library Digital Collection
Dive into Chicago’s rich cultural heritage with the Chicago Public Library Digital Collections, featuring photographs, maps, manuscripts, and more. From historic neighborhoods to iconic events, these free online resources offer researchers, students, and curious minds a window into the city of Chicago’s past and present.
Christie’s Auctions
With a legacy dating back to 1766, Christie’s offers scholars and researchers unparalleled insights into art market trends, provenance, and valuation. Its public auction archives provide access to detailed records of past sales, including high-profile works by artists like Van Gogh and Warhol, as well as decorative arts and collectibles. A valuable tool for studying art history, market dynamics, and collecting patterns across centuries.
Cinémathèque Française
A cornerstone of film scholarship, the Cinémathèque Française offers researchers access to one of the world’s most extensive collections of cinema artifacts, including rare films, scripts, posters, and documents. While renowned for its in-person screenings and exhibitions, its online platform provides digitized films (some with English subtitles), critical essays, and thematic programs—ideal for studying film history, theory, and preservation.
Cities and Buildings Database, University of Washington
Hosted by the University of Washington, this digital collection features over 12,000 images of buildings, urban landscapes, and structures from around the world. The database provides a comparative lens for studying architectural styles, urban development, and design evolution across cultures and eras.
Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum
Home to one of the world’s most comprehensive design collections, the Cooper Hewitt offers a searchable online database featuring over 215,000 objects—from historic textiles to digital innovations. Researchers and designers can explore centuries of creativity, access exhibition archives, and study the evolution of decorative arts, industrial design, and user experience.
Corning Museum of Glass
The Corning Museum of Glass digital collections provides a search tool to browse digital images of collection contents.
Design Museum Collection
Discover the evolution of design through the Design Museum’s diverse collection, featuring iconic objects from furniture and fashion to digital and industrial design. With a focus on 20th- and 21st-century works, the museum’s online platform offers curated exhibitions, high-resolution images, and insightful narratives—ideal for designers, students, and creatives seeking inspiration and historical context. This online collection is currently undergoing renovation.
Digital Bodleian
The Digital Bodleian contains over 700,000 digital images from the Bodleian Library collections.
Digital NZ
New Zealand-specific visuals, useful for remote locations.
EBSCO Magazine Archives
Access this vast digital repository of full-text, searchable magazine archives through EBSCO’s scholarly platform. Ideal for researchers, this collection spans decades of journalism, advertising, and cultural commentary—offering primary-source insights into social trends, political movements, and industry evolution across disciplines. Institutional access may be required.
EBSCO Research Databases
EBSCO offers one of the world’s largest collections of academic databases, providing access to peer-reviewed journals, e-books, historical archives, and industry reports. While some content is freely available, most resources require institutional access or a subscription—making it a vital tool for students, researchers, and professionals.
Europeana
Dive into a vast, multilingual collection of European art, history, and ideas with Europeana. This EU-funded platform unites over 3,000 institutions, offering free access to millions of digitized books, paintings, photographs, music, and archival documents—all searchable in one place. Perfect for researchers, educators, and designers. Virtual exhibitions and thematic galleries included.
Eye Filmmuseum
As the Netherlands’ leading film archive, Eye Filmmuseum offers researchers and cinephiles unparalleled access to its digitized collection of cinematic treasures. Explore restored classics, avant-garde experiments, and Dutch film history through thousands of titles, filmmaker archives, and contextual essays—all available online for scholarly study and discovery.
Flickr Creative Commons
Discover millions of contemporary and historical images through Flickr Commons, where user-shared photos meet institutional archives. Ideal for researchers seeking real-world visuals, this platform blends amateur photography with cultural heritage collections—offering everything from street scenes to rare archival finds.
Florida State Library and Archives
Explore Florida’s rich history through the State Library and Archives’ digital collections, featuring photographs, maps, manuscripts, and government records. Researchers, genealogists, and history enthusiasts can access primary sources on topics ranging from Indigenous cultures to space exploration—all freely available online. Includes oral histories, vintage postcards, and Civil War documents.
George Eastman Museum
As one of the world’s oldest photography museums and a key film archive, the George Eastman Museum offers rich online resources, including virtual screenings, lectures, and exhibitions. Explore its unparalleled collections spanning cinematic history and photographic art, or stay updated on in-person screenings and events in Rochester, NY. Highlights include silent film restorations and Kodak historical archives.
Getty Images
With one of the world’s largest collections of historic and contemporary photography, Getty Images provides access to millions of rights-managed and editorial images. While most content requires licensing, researchers can search high-resolution watermarked previews for reference—ideal for studying photojournalism, advertising, and cultural trends. Filters by era, subject, and contributor available.
Getty Search Gateway
Getty Search Gateway allows users to search across multiple Getty Museum repositories.
Google Arts and Culture
Google Arts and Culture is a publicly accessible digital collection of high resolution images provided by Google Art Project partner museums.
Gottscho-Schleisener Collection – Architecture and Interior Design for 20th Century America
Hagley Museum Patent Library
Located in Wilmington, Delaware, the Hagley Museum Patent Library specializes in the history of American invention and industrial progress. Its extensive collection includes patent records, technical drawings, and corporate archives, offering researchers insights into groundbreaking innovations from the 19th century to today. Highlights include DuPont Company archives and early patent models.
Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, University of Texas
At the University of Texas at Austin, the Harry Ransom Center houses one of the world’s finest collections of literature, film, photography, and the performing arts. Its archives include rare manuscripts (like the Gutenberg Bible), iconic film costumes, and personal papers of luminaries such as Gabriel García Márquez and Tennessee Williams. A must-visit for scholars and creatives alike. Rotating exhibitions and digitized highlights available online.
Harvard University Digital Collections
With over 6 million digitized objects, Harvard’s open-access platform offers researchers, students, and the public unparalleled access to rare manuscripts, maps, photographs, and artworks from its vast holdings. From ancient texts to modern ephemera, explore centuries of knowledge across disciplines—all freely available online.
The Henry Ford Museum of Innovation
Located in Dearborn, Michigan, The Henry Ford showcases a vast collection of historical artifacts, technological breakthroughs, and cultural milestones that shaped modern America. From vintage cars and industrial machinery to iconic pop culture items, its online database offers access to over 100,000 digitized objects—perfect for researchers, history buffs, and innovation enthusiasts. Highlights include Thomas Edison’s lab equipment and the Rosa Parks bus.
Heritage Auctions
As the world’s largest collectibles auctioneer, Heritage Auctions offers a dynamic marketplace for historical artifacts, fine art, rare coins, and pop culture memorabilia. Its detailed auction archives provide researchers and collectors with valuable data on provenance, valuation trends, and cultural significance across centuries.
The History of Advertising (HAT) Digital Archive
The HAT Archive preserves and disseminates the advertising history of the UK. The digital collections include television and radio commercials, ghost signs, and print advertising materials.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens
Nestled in San Marino, California, The Huntington blends world-class scholarship with stunning gardens and art. Its renowned library houses millions of rare books, manuscripts, and photographs—from early Shakespeare folios to Jack London’s papers—with select digitized collections available online for researchers and history enthusiasts. Highlights include American Civil War letters and British literary archives.
IKEA Museum
Explore the evolution of minimalist living through digitized IKEA catalogues (1950–present), available in their original Swedish on the official IKEA Museum site. This unique corporate archive offers designers and sociologists a window into postwar consumer trends, flat-pack innovation, and the globalization of Scandinavian aesthetics.
Institute of Making Materials Library
While best experienced in person, the Materials Library offers online researchers a digital database of its extraordinary collection—from metamaterials to ancient alloys. Explore high-resolution images, technical specs, and curious case studies of substances sourced from labs, workshops, and nature worldwide. A resource for designers, scientists, and material innovators. Highlights include self-healing concrete and Viking-era forge samples.
International Advertising and Design Database
The Internet Archive
This non-profit digital library offers free access to millions of books, films, software, and archived web pages through its legendary Wayback Machine. Whether you’re researching obscure texts, vintage media, or lost websites, the Archive’s vast collections serve as an essential tool for historians, educators, designers, and curious minds worldwide. Highlights include pre-1923 books, retro gaming software, and 90s web history.
Ken Adam Archive
The legendary production designer behind James Bond films and Dr. Strangelove, Sir Ken Adam, entrusted his life’s work to Berlin’s Deutsche Kinemathek. Now, researchers and cinephiles can explore 5,600 sketches, 3,500 photos, and unseen concept art online—revealing the genius behind cinema’s most unforgettable sets. Highlights include original Goldfinger villain lair blueprints, Dr. Strangelove War Room concept sketches, and unused designs for Barry Lyndon’s candlelit scenes.
Lane Motor Museum
Home to the largest collection of European vehicles in America, Nashville’s Lane Motor Museum showcases over 150 rare cars and motorcycles from the 1900s to today. Discover microcars, amphibious vehicles, prototypes, and alternative-fuel innovations—a petrolhead’s paradise for studying engineering oddities and automotive history. Highlights include the 1942 Tatra T87, 1955 BMW Isetta 300, and 1967 Amphicar. Selected vehicle histories and photos available online.
Library and Archives Canada Image Search
Library and Archives Canada Image Search provides access to digital images of archival materials located in Library and Archives Canada holdings.
Library of Congress
As the largest library in the world, the Library of Congress offers free online access to millions of historical U.S. documents, photographs, maps, recordings, and rare books. Researchers, educators, and the public can explore digitized collections spanning centuries—from Civil War archives to early jazz recordings. Highlights include the Gutenberg Bible, Abraham Lincoln’s papers, and WPA Depression-era photographs. Virtual exhibitions and curated research guides are available.
Life Magazine and Photograph Archives
Explore the complete searchable archive of Life magazine (1936–1972) through Google Books, including every article, advertisement, and iconic photo spread. The companion Life Photo Archive offers millions of historic images—from WWII reportage to celebrity portraits—capturing pivotal cultural moments. Highlights include D-Day landing images and 1960s civil rights coverage.
Los Angeles Public Library
As one of the America’s largest public library systems, the LAPL provides free access to millions of books, digital resources, and a renowned photography collection documenting Southern California’s history. From online research databases to rare local archives, it serves students, historians, and creatives alike. Highlights include the Security Pacific Historical Photo Collection, early L.A. city plans, and multilingual community archives. Remote access to e-books and newspapers available with library card.
Lucasfilm Research Library
As the research hub for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and other legendary productions, the Lucasfilm Research Library equips filmmakers with an unparalleled collection of reference books, periodicals, and visual archives—spanning historical costumes, alien landscapes, and cutting-edge technology. Its renowned Elstree Collection preserves original props, scripts, and production artifacts, while its vast image database inspires authentic worldbuilding. Though primarily for internal use, its influence is seen in cinema’s most unforgettable universes. Highlights include 17th-century naval warfare texts used for Pirates of the Caribbean, original Star Wars concept art by Ralph McQuarrie, and mid-century aerospace photography that inspired Indiana Jones set designs.
Made-in-Chicago Museum
This unique digital and pop-up project celebrates Chicago’s manufacturing golden age, showcasing everyday objects—from Sears catalogues to steel mill tools—that defined 20th-century American life. A must for design historians and designers, it uncovers stories behind the city’s factories, workers, and forgotten brands. Highlights include 1930s Sunbeam Mixmasters, mid-century Schwinn bikes, and Marshall Field’s packaging designs. Virtual exhibits and oral histories are available.
Margaret Herrick Library – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Operated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, this world-class Margaret Herrick Library houses an unparalleled collection of film industry artifacts, including original scripts, studio records, personal papers, and over 12 million photographs. From silent-era production notes to contemporary awards season ephemera, it’s a vital resource for scholars, filmmakers, and cinephiles. Highlights include Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane storyboards, Marilyn Monroe costume sketches, and the complete archives of the Academy Awards. On-site access is required for most materials; digital collections are expanding.
Media History Digital Library
This groundbreaking open-access archive digitizes thousands of vintage film magazines, trade papers, and radio journals—from Variety to Photoplay—offering fully searchable insights into Hollywood’s golden age, broadcasting history, and media industry evolution. A goldmine for researchers studying pop culture, advertising, or technological shifts in entertainment. Highlights include complete runs of Motion Picture Herald (1931–1972) and early NBC radio scripts. All materials free to view, download, or text-search.
The Met Collection
Explore 490,000+ artworks spanning ancient civilizations to contemporary design through The Met’s open-access digital collection. From Renaissance masterpieces to the The Met Costume Institute’s iconic fashion archive, this vast resource offers high-resolution images, scholarly catalogues, and virtual exhibitions for artists, researchers, and curious minds worldwide. Highlights include Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait, medieval armour, and Jackie Kennedy’s 1960s haute couture. Free downloads, zoomable details, and curator notes available.
Michelson Cinema Research Library
This digitized collection, preserved by the Internet Archive, brings to light rare film stills, behind-the-scenes photography, rare film industry books, scripts, and vintage movie posters alongside production notes and industry manuals. Fully searchable, it’s an essential resource for studying Hollywood’s visual evolution, from silent-era set designs to mid-century marketing art. Highlights include 1930s Technicolor test reels, original Casablanca lobby cards, and Fritz Lang’s storyboard sketches for Metropolis. Free access to high-resolution scans of cinematic ephemera.
Milton Glaser Design Study Center and Archives
Housed at New York’s School of Visual Arts, this archive preserves the groundbreaking work of Milton Glaser and other design luminaries with SVA ties. Explore sketches, posters, and process materials that reveal the craft behind iconic branding, editorial illustrations, and typography. Highlights include Glaser’s 1967 Bob Dylan poster originals, Push Pin Studio maquettes, and Paula Scher’s early environmental graphics. Digitized selections are available for research.
MOMA Digital Collection
The MOMA Digital Collection provides access to digital images of over 77,000 works of contemporary art from the Museum of Modern Art collections.
Moving Image Archive
The Internet Archive-Moving Image Archive contains digital movies uploaded by Internet Archive users.
Munich Film Museum
The Munich Film Museum provides researchers with digitized retrospectives, critical essays, and restored films from its renowned archive. Its online platform features complete director surveys (like Mark Rappaport’s avant-garde works) alongside rare silent cinema restorations, offering primary sources for studying film theory, preservation, and European cinema history. Key research materials include F.W. Murnau’s expressionist films with scholarly commentary, Werner Herzog’s production notes, and digitized program books from historic Munich screenings. Partial English translation is available; some content requires rental.
Museum of American Packaging
This grassroots archive captures the graphics, materials, and branding of 20th-century American packaging—from cereal boxes to detergent tins. A visual time capsule for designers and historians studying advertising trends, material culture, and postwar consumerism. Highlights include 1950s Coca-Cola cartons, vintage pharmaceutical labels, and Space Age snack containers.
The Museum of FIT
New York’s Museum at FIT houses 50,000+ garments and accessories, with a focus on modern and contemporary women’s fashion from the 18th century to today. Researchers can explore digitized collections of haute couture, sportswear, and avant-garde designs, alongside exhibitions analyzing cultural and industrial trends. Highlights include 1940s Christian Dior “New Look” ensembles, 1980s Thierry Mugler power suits, and Rudi Gernreich’s experimental 1960s designs. Online exhibitions and select object records available; in-person research by appointment.
Museum of the City of New York
Explore 200,000+ items from the museum’s vast collections, including photographs, maps, costumes, and ephemera that document New York’s social, architectural, and cultural evolution. Researchers can study everything from 19th-century tenement life to Broadway theater posters in this growing digital archive. Highlights include Berenice Abbott’s Changing New York photographs, Jacob Riis’s reform-era lantern slides, and 1920s Tiffany studio drawings. Free access with curated research guides and online exhibitions.
National Archives of the United Kingdom
The UK’s official archive offers access to millions of digitized records spanning 1,000+ years, from Domesday Book surveys to WWII intelligence files. Researchers can explore documents from 2,500+ affiliated archives, uncovering political, social, and personal histories through patents, maps, and colonial records. Highlights include Shakespeare’s will, Jack the Ripper case files, and Windrush passenger lists. Free access to core materials; premium datasets available. Online research tools include prisoner records and medieval currency converters.
National Archives of the United States
As the official repository of U.S. government records, the National Archives provides online access to millions of digitized documents, photographs, and maps spanning American history. From Declaration of Independence drafts to NASA mission footage, researchers can explore primary sources on politics, military history, civil rights, and more. Highlights include Emancipation Proclamation manuscripts and Apollo moon landing photos. Free access with curated research tools and links to external digital collections.
National Baseball Hall of Fame
Explore thousands of artifacts, photographs, and documents from baseball’s storied history through the Hall of Fame’s digital collections. Researchers and fans alike can access vintage trading cards, player contracts, and World Series programs that chronicle the sport’s cultural impact. Highlights include Babe Ruth’s 1927 contract and Jackie Robinson’s rookie jersey. Free access with rotating online exhibits and oral history clips. A resource for studying sports history, labor economics, and 20th-century Americana.
National Film Archive of India
Bollywood/regional Indian design references.
National Film Archive of Japan
A treasure trove for film scholars, the National Film Archive of Japan offers access to classic and rare Japanese films, alongside production documents, posters, and equipment. Its growing digital portal provides subtitled screenings and critical essays, making it indispensable for studying Golden Age auteurs, anime history, and silent-era innovations. Highlights include Akira Kurosawa’s storyboards, Yasujirō Ozu’s personal letters, and early 20th-century benshi scripts. Partial English support; some content requires in-person research.
The National Gallery of Art Images
NGA Images is a repository of digital images found in the National Gallery of Art (Washington DC). More than 51,000 digital, open access images are available free of charge for download and use.
National Gallery of Canada – Art Databases
The public art databases of the National Gallery of Canada provide access to digital images from the collection, and provenance research materials for paintings and sculptures created before 1945 and acquired by the gallery after 1933.
National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Part of the Smithsonian Institution, this museum offers digital access to thousands of artifacts that define U.S. history—from the Star-Spangled Banner to Julia Child’s kitchen. Researchers can explore innovations, social movements, and pop culture through photographs, objects, and archival records. Highlights include Abraham Lincoln’s top hat, Dorothy’s ruby slippers, and early Apple computer prototypes. Free access with curated online exhibits and learning resources. Ideal for researching material culture, technology, and civil rights history.
National Cinema Museum of Turin
Housed in the iconic Mole Antonelliana, Turin’s National Cinema Museum is one of the world’s most spectacular film archives. Spanning five floors, its immersive exhibits trace cinema’s evolution—from early optical toys to blockbuster memorabilia—while its vast collection includes rare films, posters, and projection equipment. You can also explore their online collection, featuring digitized film posters, photographs, and artifacts from their renowned archives.
National Park Service
Discover the beauty and history of the U.S. National Parks through the NPS Digital Image Gallery, featuring thousands of free, high-resolution photos of landscapes, wildlife, and cultural sites. Researchers, educators, and travelers can download images for projects or virtual exploration. Highlights include Ansel Adams’ Yellowstone works, Civil War battlefield panoramas, and rare 19th-century park survey photos. All images are public domain—ideal for documentaries, textbooks, or personal use. Many parks offer 360° virtual tours and archival maps.
New York Public Library
As one of the world’s leading research libraries, the NYPL offers free online access to millions of digitized items, including rare photographs, manuscripts, maps, and ephemera. From Walt Whitman’s notebooks to Harlem Renaissance posters, researchers can explore centuries of history and culture. Highlights include Bertha Wehnert-Beckmann’s pioneering 19th-century photography, Jack Kerouac’s On the Road drafts, and 1930s WPA Depression-era art. Public domain materials available for download; research guides and virtual exhibitions included.
Nick Baldwin Motor Collection
This specialized collection offers 100,000 photographs and 6,000 files documenting 20th-century road transport, from vintage car brochures to coachbuilding blueprints. Ideal for researchers studying automotive design, advertising, or industrial history, it covers cars, trucks, buses, and motoring culture through rare ephemera. Highlights include pre-WWII luxury vehicle catalogues, mid-century trucking ads, and handwritten ownership records. Primarily in-person at designated archives; inquire for digitized samples.
NYPL Picture Collection
With 1.5 million circulating images clipped from books and magazines since 1915, this unique collection covers 12,000+ subjects—from fashion and architecture to historical events and pop culture. Artists, designers, and researchers can browse or borrow physical folders of curated visuals, offering unparalleled inspiration and reference material. Highlights include mid-century advertising clippings, vintage travel posters, and hand-organized thematic folders (for example, “1940s hairstyles,” “Art Deco interiors”). Digital previews are available; full access requires an on-site visit.
Online Archive of California
The Online Archive of California (OAC) is a centralized platform providing access to detailed descriptions of historical collections held at libraries, museums, and archives across California. Researchers can discover manuscripts, photographs, oral histories, and more—spanning Indigenous cultures, Hollywood history, and technological innovation. Notable materials include Japanese American internment records, Dorothea Lange’s Depression-era photos, and early Silicon Valley tech archives. Free access with links to digitized materials and finding aids. Some collections require in-person visits to affiliated institutions.
Public Domain Review: Images
The focus of the Public Domain Review is on works which have fallen into the public domain. This resource provides access to curated image collections, but also digitized books, audio, and film.
Ringling Museum
As both a world-class art museum and the keeper of America’s largest circus collection, The Ringling in Sarasota, Florida, offers a mix of fine art and circus history. Explore European masterpieces alongside costumes, posters, and props from the golden age of traveling shows. Collection highlights feature Baroque paintings by Rubens, original Ringling Bros. circus wagons, and John Ringling’s private rail car. Virtual exhibitions and a digital circus archive are available online.
RIT Cary Graphic Design Library
The RIT Cary Graphic Design Library’s digital collection preserves seminal works by influential American designers from the 1920s-1950s, featuring original sketches by Lester Beall, print specimens from the WPA era, and typographic experiments by Alvin Lustig. This growing online archive offers free public access to digitized materials documenting modernist graphic design’s evolution while the physical collection remains available for research visits in Rochester. Notable holdings include Will Burtin’s scientific visualization work, Cipe Pineles’ magazine layouts, and a selection of Massimo Vignelli’s late-career sketches, making it essential for design historians and practitioners alike.
The Rotherhithe Picture Research Library
The Rotherhithe Picture Research Library in London maintains an eclectic physical archive of historical engravings, architectural drawings, and visual ephemera, though none of its collections are currently available digitally. Researchers can access unique materials including 19th-century Thames River navigation charts, vintage circus promotional posters, and rare advertising clippings, but must visit the Rotherhithe warehouse location in person to utilize these specialized resources for projects requiring unconventional visual references. The collection’s particular strength lies in its concentration of obscure printed matter documenting London’s industrial and maritime history.
Royal Armouries Museum – (UK)
For weapons/armor accuracy (fantasy/historical).
SCI-Arc Institute of Architecture Library
The SCI-Arc Institute of Architecture Library houses Southern California’s most extensive academic architecture collection, featuring rare publications, avant-garde project documentation, and seminal architectural theory texts. While prioritizing physical access for students and researchers at its Los Angeles location, the library offers select digital resources including their catalog of 20th-century architectural drawings and competition entries, with particular strengths in West Coast modernism and experimental design methodologies from the 1970s to present. Notable holdings include original works by Southern California architects like Frank Gehry and Thom Mayne, along with complete runs of influential but obscure architecture journals that chart the evolution of radical design thinking.
Science Museum Group
The Science Museum Group brings together over 380,000 scientific and industrial artifacts across five UK museums: Science Museum, Science and Industry Museum, National Science and Media Museum, National Railway Museum and Locomotion, featuring groundbreaking objects from railway history, computing, photography, and broadcasting. While iconic items like Stephenson’s Rocket remain on physical display, researchers can explore growing digital resources including collection records and archival materials documenting Britain’s technological heritage. The group continues to expand online access to its comprehensive holdings spanning locomotives, medical instruments, and media technology.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum houses the world’s premier aerospace collection, from the Wright Flyer to Apollo 11 artifacts. While most iconic items require in-person viewing in Washington, D.C. and Chantilly, Virginia (at the Udvar-Hazy Center), researchers can access select digital resources, including historic photographs, technical documents, and 3D models documenting aviation and space exploration breakthroughs. The museum continues expanding online access to its unparalleled archives of flight history.
Smithsonian Institution Collections
Explore 18.1 million records of museum artefacts, archival materials, and library holdings, including 8.1 million digital images and multimedia resources. This vast collection spans art, history, science, and culture, offering researchers and the public unparalleled access to treasures like Indigenous artworks, space exploration relics, and historical specimens. Notable highlights include First Nations artifacts, Apollo mission archives, and vintage botanical illustrations. Researchers can freely explore this growing online repository while physical items remain available across Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C.
Streamliner Memories: Memorabilia from the Silver Age of Passenger Trains
This specialized archive preserves an exceptional collection of railway ephemera from the 1930s–1960s, featuring vintage menus, luggage stickers, timetables, and promotional posters that capture the glamour of mid-century train travel. While the physical collection remains privately held, its online presence showcases digitized artifacts like Canadian Pacific Railway brochures and streamlined locomotive schematics, offering researchers and rail enthusiasts a window into the silver age of passenger rail. Notable items include 1940s dining car china patterns, transcontinental route maps, and limited-edition travel posters by artists like A.J. Casson.
Strong National Museum of Play
Toy/game design for retro-futurism or childhood scenes.
UCLA Film & Television Archive
As one of the world’s leading film preservation centres, the UCLA archive safeguards an expansive collection of motion pictures and television programs, with particular strengths in historic Hollywood productions, newsreels, and the groundbreaking LA Rebellion film movement. Researchers can access screening copies and archival materials, while the online portal offers curated resources on African American cinema, early television, and avant-garde works.
UCLA Oral Histories with ADG Members
UCLA’s Art Directors Guild oral history collection captures the untold stories behind Hollywood’s visual magic, with 100+ interviews of title designers, scenic artists, and production designers like Richard Sylbert (Chinatown) and Deborah Nadoolman Landis (Raiders of the Lost Ark). Many audio recordings and transcripts are freely available online, offering researchers a rare look at how film’s most immersive worlds were designed—from sketch to screen.
U.S. Modernist Architecture Archive
Dedicated to celebrating and safeguarding Modernist residential design, this comprehensive resource features a digital archive of architecture magazines, blueprints, and documentation of at-risk homes. Researchers and design enthusiasts can explore rare publications like Arts & Architecture case study houses, alongside profiles of influential architects such as Richard Neutra and Eero Saarinen. The archive spotlights pioneering architects while advocating for the preservation of postwar design heritage through documentation and public education.
University of Southern California, USC Digital Libraries
USC Digital Libraries specialize in California’s history, offering free online access to rare regional archives, including early L.A. urban development plans, Hollywood industry records, and Southern California immigrant narratives, offering valuable insights into the state’s social and cultural evolution. The collections serve as a key resource for studying urban development, entertainment industry growth, and social change in Southern California.
Van Alen Institute Archive
This archive preserves 125+ years of architectural innovation through competition entries submitted since 1894, from Beaux-Arts proposals to climate-resilient urban designs. Researchers can explore unrealized visions for public spaces, including Louis Kahn-era student work and contemporary solutions for challenges like sea level rise. While physical materials are available in Brooklyn, the Van Alen Institute provides free online access to digitized highlights.
Victoria and Albert Museum
The V&A houses one of the world’s most comprehensive design collections, spanning 5,000 years of creativity across eight kilometres of archives. Researchers can explore free digital resources—from William Morris textiles to David Bowie’s costumes—alongside physical holdings documenting 1,000+ designers, studios, and movements. Highlights include 19th-century fashion plates, theatrical set models, and digital 3D scans of Renaissance sculptures.
Vintage Mail-Order Catalogues
This freely accessible digital archive provides complete, full-colour scans of over 250 mail-order catalogues (1940–2017) from Sears, J.C. Penney, and Montgomery Ward. Hosted on platforms like Internet Archive and library databases, the collection lets anyone explore postwar consumer culture through retail artifacts—no paywall or login required. Key volumes include1960s Sears holiday editions, 1970s Penney’s home electronics, and 1980s Ward’s apparel sections.
Vitra Design Museum
The Vitra Design Museum in Germany houses one of the world’s foremost collections of industrial furniture and lighting design, with a focus on both historical and contemporary works. Its archive includes the complete Eames Office Collection, alongside iconic pieces by Verner Panton, George Nelson, and Charles & Ray Eames. While the physical museum in Weil am Rhein offers exhibitions and research access, select digital resources and online exhibitions provide global access to highlights from their 20th- and 21st-century holdings.
Walt Disney Archives
The Disney Archives do not allow walk-in external researchers, and most archival materials are in-house use only by the studio. However there is still much to see and learn on the website and you are able to reach out to their archivists to ask questions.
Warburg Institute Iconographic Database
The Warburg Institute Iconographic Database contains digitized images from the Warburg Institute Photographic Collection.
Western Costume Co. Research Library and Archive
As Hollywood’s oldest production research library, this on-site-only archive houses century’s worth of costume sketches, fabric swatches, and reference materials used in classic films. Designers and historians can study original pieces worn in Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, and contemporary productions—though no digital catalogue exists. Key resources include 1920s–90s studio wardrobe ledgers, MGM’s Technicolor fabric samples, and hand-drawn Elizabeth Taylor costume patterns.
Wikimedia Commons
A collection of over 45,000,000 freely usable media files that anyone may contribute to and use.
Winterthur Museum Library – Delaware
Premiere American decorative arts collection (1600s–1900s).