The archives of the Weltmuseum Wien are home to records of the history of the Museum, records of the sources of the collections as well as the biographies of the collectors, anthropologists and those involved in the various expeditions.
Records show the Museum in its infant years and follow its vibrant development from its initiation on 25 May 1908 to the present. Documents on exhibitions and events as well as newspaper articles and so much more serve as evidence of the eventful history of the Museum.
Among the archive’s focus areas are the partial and fractional bequests of former members of staff, anthropologists and travellers such as Johann Natterer, Otto Finsch, Franz Heger, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Este, Robert Unterwelz, Wanda Hanke, and Etta Becker-Donner. Some of this material has already been researched and published, while the scientific registration of the bequests continues.
Further information about individual collections can be found in the relevant collection records, including additional documents of acquisitions, manuscripts, letters, and notes relating to various individuals.
The administrative archive comprises records and administrative documents, personnel files, and documents on internal activities.
The archive for pictures includes paintings, aquarelles, drawings, graphics, prints, and a collection of posters from various exhibitions. A part of this data has already been digitised and the relating objects located. The further digitisation and localisation is still a work in progress.