Requesting historical information

T he Rotary International Archives gathers and preserves Rotary-related historical materials and makes them available to RI staff, Rotarians, and researchers. The collection includes photographs, publications, moving images, audio recordings, artifacts, and documents.

Archives staffers can access most Rotary clubs’ historical files, which typically include a roster of charter members and other paperwork submitted when the club was formed. They also can search for appearances of your club in back issues of The Rotarian magazine and in the photographs collection.

Purchasing historical publications

Convention Proceedings, issues of The Rotarian magazine from the 1950s, and other historical Rotary publications are available to purchase. Contact Rotary History for more information.

Contact information

Please direct questions to:
Robin Dillow , reference archivist
Phone: 847-866-3193

Or write to:
Rotary International Archives
7100 N. Lawndale Ave.
Lincolnwood, IL 60712 USA
Fax: 847-866-3276
E-mail: history@rotary.org

Inquiries

The staff makes every effort to respond to all inquiries as quickly as possible, usually in three to five business days. Most paper materials are available only as photocopies, which can be faxed or mailed. Photographs may be available in digital format.

Hours

The archives is open to the public during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Visitors are welcome. Please contact the archives staff for an appointment.

Available material

• Books written by Paul Harris and other Rotarians, and books about Rotary history and the history of particular clubs, districts, and regions
• The Rotarian magazine, from the first 1911 issue to the present, including an index; extra issues from the last 50 years are available for sale
• Convention Proceedings from 1910 to present
• Official Directory from 1910 to present
• Brochures, pamphlets, and other Rotary publications
• Biographical information about RI presidents and other leaders, including correspondence and writings
• About 65,000 images covering the late 1800s to the present, including portraits of RI presidents and leaders, and photographs of conventions, club meetings, various projects, PolioPlus efforts, and Rotarians from around the world
• Artifacts, including gifts given to Paul Harris and other Rotary leaders, club banners, stamps, medals, statues, and awards
• Audio recordings
• Archival film and video recordings

Information about past Rotary club members

Even if you don’t have much information about a past Rotarian, archives staffers will make every effort to assist you.

They can confirm that a Rotarian was a club president or secretary if you know the name of the club and the year of office (or a reasonable range of years).

If the person you’re researching happened to appear in The Rotarian magazine, they can provide a photocopy of the article.

RI does not have complete lists of past members; those types of records are kept at the club level. So, unless the Rotarian in question was a district governor or a member of Rotary International leadership, the archives staff may not have any information about the person you’re interested in.