Archives

The Monastery

• Leadership
• Beliefs and Practices
• History
• Our Works
• Monk Directory
• Necrology
• Archives
  • Archabbey History Museum
  • Record Donation Policy
  • Contact Us
• Liturgical Music
• Monte Cassino Shrine
• Art and Architecture
• Reporting Misconduct
• Brand Refresh

Guidelines for Requesting Records

SAINT MEINRAD ARCHABBEY ARCHIVES | SWISS-AMERICAN BENEDICTINE CONGREGATION ARCHIVES

 Updated June 5, 2026

In light of an influx of external records requests, the archivist of Saint Meinrad Archabbey Archives and the Swiss-American Benedictine Congregation Archives instituted in 2023 this set of GUIDELINES FOR REQUESTING RECORDS.

This updated version of the GUIDELINES is intended to help our patrons request records with ease, as well as state the personnel limitations of the Saint Meinrad Archabbey Archives and the Swiss-American Benedictine Congregation Archives.

• The archivist of Saint Meinrad Archabbey Archives and of the Swiss-American Benedictine Congregation Archives retains the right to withhold access to certain records.
• All records requests that are received must be submitted either in writing, via email, or over the telephone.
• Patrons must state the type of records they desire and an approximate date range. The archivist will not process any records requests without the type of records requested or an approximate date range.
• If patrons wish to conduct research in person, requests must be made in writing (or via email or telephone) at least one week prior to their visit. General requests or “fishing trips” are not permitted.

In-person Research Visits

• Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Central time).
• All requests for in-person research must be made at least one week prior to the patrons’ visit.
• Only three (3) people are allowed to conduct research at one time.
• Individuals under 18 years of age are not allowed in the archive unless a parent or guardian accompanies them.

Digitization & Copying Services

NOTE: Please do not input your credit card information until you receive an invoice from the archivist. The cost for the archivist to undertake a search of the archival holdings is a flat fee of $10.00 per request, plus the cost of digitizing/copying said records (see below for current rates).

If the archivist is able to locate records, he will contact the patron and send an invoice for the initial search, along with instructions for payment. Once the archivist locates records, he will contact the patron and send an invoice and the requested records, along with payment instructions.

Request Records