The Estonian Historical Archives preserves records of former central administrative institutions on the Estonian territory, court and police organs, materials of knighthood (Baltic-German nobility), local governments of towns and rural areas. We also hold records of churches and educational institutions as well as manors and personal files and also various kinds of documentation that belonged to societies and enterprises. Here you can find rare documents, seals and original letters of governors, vellums, engravings and photographs and the largest collection of historical maps in Estonia.
Our collection contains approximately 2 million records or 20,000 shelf metres of records.
The Estonian State Central Archives, the predecessor of the present-day Estonian Historical Archives, was established in 1921. (More in a brief history)
In accordance with the Archives Act 1998, the Estonian Historical Archives became a structural unit of the National Archives of Estonia since 1 January 1999.
The main objective of the Estonian Historical Archives is to ensure through collection of records and exercise of archival supervision the performance of duties of the National Archives as a public archives, required by law. We also have to supervise the activities of the county archives of Tartu and Valga within the limits of our competence and organise their administration. The director of the Estonian Historical Archives is Indrek Kuuben.
The Estonian Historical Archives is committed to make the unique materials more easily accessible. In the entrance hall one can buy publications of the publishing house of the Estonian Historical Archives. We also set up exhibitions to mark historical events important to the society and display our records.
The Historical Archives organises guided tours. Pre-booking is required.