A nonprofit repository preserving the history, culture, and living stories of Hmong communities — in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and across the world.
The organization was originally envisioned in 1999 as the Hmong National Archives, founded by dedicated community members who recognized the urgent need to preserve Hmong history. Due to limited funding and reliance on volunteers, the archives operated in multiple locations in Saint Paul over the years. As the organization gradually grew and evolved, it was renamed the Hmong Archives. With renewed leadership and a strengthened commitment to serving the community, it later adopted its current name, Hmong Education Archives & Library, to better reflect its expanded mission. Today, HEAL’s collections are headquartered at the Eastside Freedom Library in Saint Paul.
To educate, research, collect, preserve, interpret, and disseminate materials in all formats by or about Hmong
To be the center for Hmong heritage research, collections, and preservation.
Please donate your Hmoob teej tug (see collection items list) at 343 Michigan Street, or Hmong ABC Store at #108, HmongTown Marketplace (near Como Avenue entrance) in Saint Paul, also your time and financial help.
A Memoir of General Vang Pao is available for $20, plus shipping. You can view some of our Hmong book collections at the Hmong Educational Resources Publisher. HER provides publishing services for Hmong students, writers, educators, researchers, and graphic artists to envision a future led by Hmong voices.
HEAL’s collections are both diverse and historically significant. They include a wide range of materials such as written documents, books, photographs, audiovisual recordings, brochures, newspapers, and periodicals. In addition, the archives house culturally meaningful artifacts like greeting cards, maps, traditional musical instruments, and paj ntaub (Hmong textile art). Together, these items form a rich and evolving record that illustrates the development, resilience, and cultural heritage of Hmong communities, particularly within Minnesota and beyond.
As of today, HEAL’s impact is reflected in its remarkable growth and community engagement. The organization has recorded over 50,643 volunteer hours, welcomed 5,152 visitors, and accessioned 266,244 items contributed by 1,411 donors from around the world. Its collections are organized into 13 archival categories: archival boxes, audio recordings, books, cards, files, maps, newspapers, objects, periodicals, photographs, posters, videos, and works of art. Together, these resources represent one of the most comprehensive collections of Hmong history and culture, preserving a legacy that continues to inform and inspire future generations.
Our mission is to research, collect, preserve, interpret, anddisseminate materials in all formats about or by Hmong.
Our vision is to be an advocate,as one of the first Hmong establishments in this field,for Hmong communities to actively self-preserve Hmong heritage.
Documenting the story of Hmong communities in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and around the world — spanning five continents.
49,126 hours contributed by dedicated volunteers since 1999. The archives exist because of this extraordinary generosity.
Share documents, photographs, objects, recordings — any materials that tell the Hmong story. Every item expands the living record.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your contribution is tax-deductible and directly funds preservation, cataloging, and community access.
Research, intern, or volunteer. From cataloging items to digitizing records, your hours build the archive. Students welcome.
We encourage visitors to see our collection at the East Side Freedom Library! Although the library is now closed to the public, we still accept appointments for individual, small group, and educational visits. Current staff and volunteers are practicing sanitary social distancing. Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information!