About The American Legion Library

The American Legion Library & Archive was established in 1923 to serve as a repository for the history and the legacy of The American Legion at the national level. Other functions include the processing and tracking of resolutions (policy statements), and compilation of official meeting proceedings of the national organization. As the liaison with the American Legion national historian, the Library & Museum provides administrative support and assists with the national historian’s department history contest and post history showcase.

Collection Overview

• Comprehensive collection of American Legion national pamphlets and newsletters published by divisions, commissions and committees are the focus of the collection.
• Archival records documenting the history of The American Legion at the national level.
• Visual collections in the form of photographs, video and posters.
• Limited collection of American Legion department (state) publications such as newspapers and minutes of meetings.

Online Research Services

While the library and archives are not public, key publications in the collection are available online including:

• Active Resolutions

• Those interested in writing resolutions or reports can learn more here.
• Proceedings of the National Executive Committee meetings and National Conventions
• American Legion magazine 
• Additional publications 

Reference and On-site Research

The library staff welcomes and strives to help Legionnaires, veterans and non-veterans alike. Research should always start in the Digital Archive, and the library's staff is available to assist with in-depth questions. Because this is not a public archive, all research visits must be approved in advance. If you are interested in conducting on-site research, please contact us. 

Family History

Our ability to assist with family history or genealogy questions is very limited. To protect the privacy of American Legion members, the library is unable to release any membership information. Historical newspapers available from local resources such as historical societies and public libraries are often the best sources for information about a member’s activities in local American Legion posts. Those interested in an individual’s military service records should contact the National Archives Personnel Records Center or their state archives. 

Buddy Finder

On a limited basis, the American Legion Library's staff can help with locating former military comrades by forwarding a letter from you to current members of The American Legion. 

• American Legion members: Five letters may be forwarded free. Additional letters may be sent for a fee.
• Non-Legion members: May request this service for a fee. 

American Legion histories

Notable books on the history of The American Legion available in the collection and in many libraries nation-wide include:

• Wheat, George Seay. "The Story of The American Legion." New York, NY: G. P. Putnam's sons, 1919.
• James, Marquis. “A History of The American Legion.” New York, NY: William Green, 1923.
• Jones, Richard Seelye. “A History of The American Legion.” Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1946.
• Rumer, Thomas A. “The American Legion: An Official History 1919-1989.” New York, NY: M. Evans & Company, Inc., 1990.
• A multimedia history of The American Legion is available as part of Basic Training