The diary archive for everyday folks
Diaries deserve more than the dump
We love stories—especially those from ordinary, everyday Americans. That’s why we’re on a mission to rescue, document, and preserve unpublished diaries and journals from folks across the U.S. and make many of them available to read online free of charge.
We are proud to be a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit. EIN 93-3671172
Pieces of history
Every diary and journal is a personal piece of history, and yet, people rarely make plans for their writing long term.
Stories preserved
The American Diary Project offers a permanent home for diaries to ensure the stories within them are not lost.
You can help
Help prevent snapshots of everyday American life from ending up in a landfill or fire by volunteering today.
“It’s so comforting to realize that the American Diary Project has our backs, that there is a repository for the every-man’s common diaries.”
Barbara C., diary contributor
Have a diary to contribute?
We gladly accept diaries and journals from those who are living or have since passed on. Learn more about the donation process today.
Updates & Articles
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How I met my great grandmother long after she was gone
Elissa shares how she discovered much more about her great grandmother than she ever expected thanks to her preserved letters.
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STOP: 4 reasons why you shouldn’t destroy your diaries
Before you take irreversible action, review these four reasons why you shouldn’t destroy your diaries or journals
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2023 Year in Review: Reflecting upon American Diary Project growth
While our collection started at zero in October of 2022, we nearly doubled our number of items in 2023. Let’s run through some facts about the American Diary Project collection as it stands at the end of 2023.
Support our work
Help support our preservation work by making a tax-deductible donation or purchasing archival supplies from our Amazon Wish List.