Browse the Collection

Searching the Gilder Lehrman Collection

Our new search engine provides several ways to help you find the documents you want. You can begin your search using a traditional keyword search in the box at the top of the page. You may also choose to limit your search to specific fields.

• All Fields - This is the default search option and will give you the greatest number of results. You may enter keywords, dates, and Collection numbers in this field.
• Creator - includes authors and photographers. Remember to use last name, first name.
• People - can include anyone mentioned or depicted in a document. Remember to use last name, first name.
• Title - Particularly useful if you are searching for books and broadsides and already know the title of the work.
• Subjects - Keywords
• LOC Search Terms - Library of Congress subject headings

The Collection Search Page also contains several “Click & search” options to allow you to explore the Collection or to limit your search results. By selecting one of these options, your search will automatically filter for materials falling into those categories.

• Era
• Theme
• Object Type

Other useful tips

• Results with images only - if you select this box, catalog records with no images will automatically be removed from your search results.
• Wildcard searching - Use * to perform a wild card search. For example, “abolition*” will return results for both abolition and abolitionist. Searching “soldier*” will return results for soldier, soldiers, and soldiering.

Return to the Primary Sources main page.