The Archive has a rich collection of early building, financial and library records together with unbroken sequences of committee minutes, annual reports and membership records from foundation to present day. As well as information about the formation and development of the Club and the Club building, the Archive gives an insight into the election of Members; Members' experiences of dining in the Club; staff and their relationship with the Athenaeum; how major changes to the Club came about; and how events outside the Athenaeum have affected the Club. There are records relating to the celebration of Royal events and the viewing of Royal processions from the Club. Records for other special events, such as the Order of Merit Dinner held in 1902, have also been kept. Deserving of special mention is the collection of letters from staff serving in the First World War.
Among the building records are Decimus Burton's original drawings showing designs for the interior of the Club. There are also later architectural drawings by Decimus Burton, Charles Barry and T E Collcutt. The Archive holds inventories dating back to 1830.
The Herbert Spencer papers, which are owned by the Club, are on deposit with the University of London at Senate House Library, where they may be consulted by scholars.
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