Visit American Ancestors
Located at 97 Newbury Street, American Ancestors is a unique destination dedicated to the study of family history, heritage, and culture. The public and our members are welcome to conduct research in the Brim-DeForest Library, which houses the R. Stanton Avery Special Collections, one of the most extensive collections of family history resources in the world. Visitors can also request to view materials in the collections of the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center, which focuses on New England Jewish history and heritage.
Visitors can attend in-person events and educational programming at the Brue Family Learning Center, located on the second floor of American Ancestors. Check our events calendar for upcoming programs.
If you're interested in visiting the Family Heritage Experience—an interactive, state-of-the-art exhibition that invites you to explore the joy of family history research—please visit fhe.americanancestors.org for more information.
Contact Us
American Ancestors
97 Newbury Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116-3007
Please check our Help Center for answers to some of our most frequently asked questions. You can also email Membership@americanancestors.org or chat online with us 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m, Tuesday through Saturday, ET by accessing the chat function on the lower right of the screen.
Toll free: 1-888-296-3447
617-536-5740
Fax: 617-536-7307
For the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center (JHC), please email jhcreference@americanancestors.org or visit the JHC website to learn more about the collections.
Visitor Information
American Ancestors
97 Newbury Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116-3007
Toll free: 1-888-296-3447
617-536-5740
Fax: 617-536-7307
American Ancestors is now open to visitors. We are located at 97 Newbury Street in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood.
Access to American Ancestors is free for members, and $25 per day for non-members.
Visit fhe.americanancestors.org for information on Family Heritage Experience admissions.
American Ancestors is open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Brim-DeForest Library is open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m
The Family Heritage Experience is open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m
We are excited to welcome our members and the public!
Wednesday, January 1, 2025: Closed for New Year's Day
Monday, January 20, 2025: Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, February 17, 2025: Closed for President's Day
Monday, April 21, 2025: Closed for Patriots' Day
Monday, May 26, 2025: Closed for Memorial Day
Thursday, June 19, 2025: Closed for Juneteenth
Friday, July 4, 2025: Closed for Independence Day
Monday, September 1, 2025: Closed for Labor Day
Monday, October 13, 2025: Closed for Indigenous Peoples' Day
Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Closed at 1 p.m. for Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 27–Friday, November 28, 2025: Closed for Thanksgiving
Wednesday, December 24, 2025: Closed at 1 p.m. for Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 25, 2025: Closed for Christmas
Thursday, January 1, 2026: Closed for New Year's Day
The 97 Newbury Street location is fully wheelchair accessible. Also, a wheelchair is available for use by request.
Photocopies and printouts (from computer and microfilm printers) cost 25 cents per page, except library catalog printouts, which are free. Copies from the photocopiers and microfilm scanners may also be saved to flash drives at no charge. Flash drives are available for purchase at American Ancestors.
Visitors have access to the Brim-DeForest Library on the 5th and 7th floors, which houses the R. Stanton Avery Special Collections.
Access to Manuscript and Rare Book Collections is available to American Ancestors members, as well as visiting scholars who have made arrangements with American Ancestors and received authorization in advance. These collections may be searched through our library catalog. If you would like to request items ahead of time and have them prepared for your visit, please contact library@americanancestors.org.
American Ancestors Group Visits
Discover family history with your historical society, genealogical society, or other organization. Our expert staff can provide orientations and tours of American Ancestors, customized presentations, and more.
Plan Your Visit
Frequently Asked Questions
97 Newbury Street
American Ancestors is open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Day Fee: $25 for non-members; free for members
No.
Please check in at the front desk immediately inside the entrance at 97 Newbury Street. You will receive a color-coded lanyard that will allow you to access the floors you need to visit.
The 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 7th floors are open to the public. Exhibits on the 1st floor are not currently open, and are scheduled to open in April 2025.
Ask for information and guidance at the front desk on the first floor. The first floor is also home to the Family Heritage Experience, a lively, interactive introduction to exploring family history, currently scheduled to open in spring 2025.
The second floor houses the Brue Family Learning Center, where you can attend lectures and enjoy educational programming and exhibits.
The fifth and seventh floors are home to the Brim-DeForest Library. The fifth floor hosts a reading room and dedicated space for researchers, library stacks, information desks, and the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center.
The seventh floor features dedicated space for researchers, public lockers, library stacks, a copier, an information desk, and exhibits.