On Sept. 16, the Great American Songbook Foundation kicked off an exciting season of events at the Songbook Library & Archives with the Virtual Archives Visit. If you missed it, you can still watch the program on demand anytime at this link.
However, there are even more ways to experience the Library & Archives this fall and into spring 2026. You can get an exclusive behind-the-scenes, in-person group tour designed especially for first-time visitors to the Foundation’s preservation headquarters.
The Songbook Library & Archives preserves more than 500,000 historical items from the foundational era of American popular music. The collection includes recordings, arrangements, images, memorabilia, personal papers, and other artifacts from the lives and careers of legendary performers, composers, lyricists, and other influential figures.
The Carmel facility also features a reference library and study space for researchers who travel from around the world to access these materials.
Please choose the date that works best for you and register below to secure your spot. These seated group tour opportunities are limited to 20 visitors per tour.
- Saturday, Oct. 25 at 10 a.m.
- Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 6 p.m.
- Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 11 a.m.
- Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 6 p.m.
After registering, you will receive the facility address and additional details via email.
What to expect during an Archives visit
During both the Virtual Visit and in-person tour you may have the chance to see such artifacts as:
- A near-EGOT collection, including a GRAMMY, Emmy, and multiple Oscars
- Stage costumes worn by Ella Fitzgerald and Eydie Gormé
- Original scripts for classic Broadway shows such as The Music Man
- Musical arrangements written for iconic artists including Sammy Davis Jr., Andy Williams, Rosemary Clooney, Natalie Cole, and Frank Sinatra
- Historical materials representing prominent figures such as Leonard Bernstein, Mamie Eisenhower, Ginger Rogers, Walt Disney, and Doris Day
- … and much more!
Click here to learn more.