Archives & Collections

This page maps the main repositories that hold Tesla’s papers or related primary materials. Each entry links to official finding aids or catalog pages. For in‑person‑only collections, we note access constraints and how to request appointments.

Core Repositories

• Nikola Tesla Museum (Belgrade) — official archive holder; legacy pages summarize archive scope and categories.
• Library of Congress — Tesla correspondence finding aid (MSS 014047).
• Columbia University Libraries — “Nikola Tesla papers, 1894–1931” (3.5 linear feet; correspondence, clippings, technical materials).
• Caltech Archives — Hale Papers include a digitized Tesla correspondence item (1908).
• Smithsonian NMAH — Pickard Notebooks and Tesla patents finding aid (NMAH.AC.0915).

In‑Person Access (No Public Scans)

• NYPL Archives: Nikola Tesla letters.
• American Philosophical Society: Nikola Tesla collection (copy).
• Smithsonian Archives: Swezey papers (Tesla‑related, NMAH.AC.0047).

Access Notes

Many collections are not digitized. For in‑person holdings, request access through the repository’s appointment system and ask about reproduction policies. If permission is granted, we will log and add any scans as primary sources.

Sources

• Tesla Museum archive overview
• Tesla Museum inventory search
• Library of Congress finding aid (MSS 014047)
• Columbia finding aid: Nikola Tesla papers
• Caltech Archives Tesla correspondence item
• Smithsonian NMAH finding aid (NMAH.AC.0915)
• UNESCO Memory of the World listing
• NYPL Nikola Tesla letters
• APS Nikola Tesla collection (copy)
• Smithsonian Swezey papers