1916 Convention
Group photo of REALTOR® members at NAR's annual convention in New Orleans, March 1916.

The National Association of REALTORS® Archives, located at NAR's Chicago headquarters, documents the history and development of the association and the real estate profession in the United States. The unique items in the Archives tell the story of the REALTOR® family and its emergence through time.

The Archives collection contains a wide range of material, including Board of Directors meeting minutes, committee meeting minutes, the Code of Ethics since 1913, NAR's Constitution and Bylaws, policy and procedure manuals, books, surveys, research reports, press releases, journals and newsletters, annual convention programs, brochures, membership rosters, photographs, audio and video recordings, and more. In addition to information about the National Association, the collection includes historical records on state and local REALTOR® associations, NAR's affiliated organizations, and spinoff organizations (Urban Land Institute, Appraisal Institute, etc.).

Searching the Collection

Browse and search the Library & Archives catalog:

Search by keyword and click on the Archives tab to view materials from the Archives collection. Click “Email” or “Request” under “Current Record Actions” at the item level to inquire about receiving an electronic version of materials, or contact librarians@nar.realtor for additional information.

Research & Research Guides

The National Association of REALTORS® Archives offers Research Guides to assist members, scholars, and staff in locating information held in the Archives. Researchers can use these Guides to gain a better understanding of the materials and quickly decide which records may be most relevant to their research.

Qualified researchers are also welcome to visit the NAR Archives by appointment only.

Videos

View the directory of tutorials, archival footage, guides to information resources, and other videos from the NAR Library & Archives.

Services for State and Local Associations

The NAR Archives provides reference and research for state and local association staff. For assistance with researching your association's history, finding an association's charter date, preparing for an anniversary, Board of Directors actions effecting your association, information on prominent members, articles, reports, and other information from the Association's past, contact the Archives at 800-874-6500 or by email.

Donating Material to the Archives

We welcome materials that tell the history of the Association. If your board has a booklet describing its founding, or if you have documents, photographs or audio/video recordings of historical value, please contact us. Our Archivist will gladly discuss your contributions and answer your questions before accepting them into NAR's collection.

100 Years and Counting

Join the National Association of REALTORS® Library & Archives in a look back at the evolution of the library and archives as we celebrated 100 years of service to members in 2023!


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