Our Goals

The Archives of Falconry collects, preserves, and makes accessible the physical evidence of falconers' achievements worldwide and documents their role in raptor conservation. Falconers have made significant contributions to the understanding of raptor biology and conservation.

As the early practitioners of falconry in North America died, falconers realized that the physical evidence of their history was being lost, The Peregrine Fund founded the Archives of American Falconry in 1986. The name was changed to the Archives of Falconry in 2004 to reflect the international origins of American falconry.

Archives History

1986

  • Founded as Archives of American Falconry
  • S. Kent Carnie became founding curator

1992

  • Moved into James N. Rice Memorial Wing.

1999

  • Published American Falconry in the Twentieth Century

2001

  • Published Life with an Indian Prince

2002

  • Began publishing newsletter, Heritage
  • Moved into new quarters in the Herrick Collections Building.

2003

  • Received the Thornton Urn for permanent display.

2004

  • Published A Short Discourse of Hawking to the Field
  • Name changed to The Archives of Falconry

2005

  • David Wells became first professional administrator

2006

  • Sheikh Zayed Arab Falconry Heritage Wing opened

2007

  • Held 20th Anniversary Celebration
  • Wall of Remembrance dedicated
  • John R. Swift became curator
  • Public tours began

2008

  • All books and art cataloged

2010

  • All media cataloged
  • Inaugurated page on Facebook

2011

  • Published Bibliotheca Accipitraria II
  • Held 25th Anniversary Celebration

2013

  • Bob Collins became Curator

Tour the Archives

The Archives of Falconry tour has been temporarily cancelled in an effort to keep our staff and volunteers safe from COVID-19.

Archives tours are offered daily at scheduled times as part of the World Center for Birds of Prey experience.

Get tour details.

Contact The Archives of Falconry