Collection - Hmong Archives

The Archive

Our Collection

We are creating an access catalog with individual records and photos for over 26,000 website records across 13 categories — from archival boxes and books to paj ntaub textiles and works of art.

Items Accessioned

As of January 2026

Collection categories

Fully indexed

Donors worldwide

5 continents

Archival Boxes

Extensive

Processed archival materials including personal papers, organizational records, and family documents.

Audios

Hundreds of Hours

Sound recordings: traditional music, oral histories, elder interviews, and cultural ceremonies.

Books

3,400+ Volumes

Texts in Hmong, English, and other languages — history, culture, language learning, poetry, and reference works.

Cards

3,400+ Volumes

Texts in Hmong, English, and other languages — history, culture, language learning, poetry, and reference works.

Files

Geospatial Records

Maps of Hmong homeland in Laos, refugee camp layouts in Thailand, and resettlement locations.

Maps

Geospatial Records

Maps of Hmong homeland in Laos, refugee camp layouts in Thailand, and resettlement locations.

Newspapers

Community Press

Hmong language newspapers, newsletters, and community bulletins from Saint Paul and diaspora worldwide.

Objects

Journals & Magazines

Academic journals, cultural magazines, and organizational publications about the Hmong experience.

Periodicals

Journals & Magazines

Academic journals, cultural magazines, and organizational publications about the Hmong experience.

Photographs

26,000+ Records

Images documenting Hmong life, ceremonies, family histories, and community events from Laos to Minnesota.

Posters

Curated Library

Footage of Hmong events, cultural performances, news coverage, and personal family videos across decades.

Videos

Curated Library

Footage of Hmong events, cultural performances, news coverage, and personal family videos across decades.

Archival Boxes

Extensive

Processed archival materials including personal papers, organizational records, and family documents.

Audios

Hundreds of Hours

Sound recordings: traditional music, oral histories, elder interviews, and cultural ceremonies.

Posters

Curated Library

Footage of Hmong events, cultural performances, news coverage, and personal family videos across decades.

Videos

Curated Library

Footage of Hmong events, cultural performances, news coverage, and personal family videos across decades.

Works of Art

4,900+ Objects

Paj ntaub textiles, story cloths, musical instruments, jewelry, and cultural artifacts spanning centuries.

Archival Boxes

Extensive

Processed archival materials including personal papers, organizational records, and family documents.

Books

3,400+ Volumes

Texts in Hmong, English, and other languages — history, culture, language learning, poetry, and reference works.

Cards

3,400+ Volumes

Texts in Hmong, English, and other languages — history, culture, language learning, poetry, and reference works.

Files

Geospatial Records

Maps of Hmong homeland in Laos, refugee camp layouts in Thailand, and resettlement locations.

Maps

Geospatial Records

Maps of Hmong homeland in Laos, refugee camp layouts in Thailand, and resettlement locations.

Newspapers

Community Press

Hmong language newspapers, newsletters, and community bulletins from Saint Paul and diaspora worldwide.

Objects

Journals & Magazines

Academic journals, cultural magazines, and organizational publications about the Hmong experience.

Periodicals

Journals & Magazines

Academic journals, cultural magazines, and organizational publications about the Hmong experience.

Audios

Hundreds of Hours

Sound recordings: traditional music, oral histories, elder interviews, and cultural ceremonies.

Posters

Curated Library

Footage of Hmong events, cultural performances, news coverage, and personal family videos across decades.

Videos

Curated Library

Footage of Hmong events, cultural performances, news coverage, and personal family videos across decades.

Objects

Journals & Magazines

Academic journals, cultural magazines, and organizational publications about the Hmong experience.

Periodicals

Journals & Magazines

Academic journals, cultural magazines, and organizational publications about the Hmong experience.

Works of Art

4,900+ Objects

Paj ntaub textiles, story cloths, musical instruments, jewelry, and cultural artifacts spanning centuries.

Books

3,400+ Volumes

Texts in Hmong, English, and other languages — history, culture, language learning, poetry, and reference works.

Cards

3,400+ Volumes

Texts in Hmong, English, and other languages — history, culture, language learning, poetry, and reference works.

Newspapers

Community Press

Hmong language newspapers, newsletters, and community bulletins from Saint Paul and diaspora worldwide.

Objects

Journals & Magazines

Academic journals, cultural magazines, and organizational publications about the Hmong experience.

Periodicals

Journals & Magazines

Academic journals, cultural magazines, and organizational publications about the Hmong experience.

Photographs

26,000+ Records

Images documenting Hmong life, ceremonies, family histories, and community events from Laos to Minnesota.

Works of Art

4,900+ Objects

Paj ntaub textiles, story cloths, musical instruments, jewelry, and cultural artifacts spanning centuries.

Featured Collection

Martha L.

Zimmerman Paj

Ntaub Collection

700 pieces of paj ntaub (flowery cloth) created by 61 Hmong women — documenting a homeland lost and a resilience forged in refugee camps across Laos, Thailand, and Minnesota.

The Archive

Our Collection

As of January 2026

Fully indexed

5 continents

Archival Boxes

Audios

Books

Cards

Files

Maps

Newspapers

Objects

Periodicals

Photographs

Posters

Videos

Archival Boxes

Audios

Posters

Videos

Works of Art

Archival Boxes

Books

Cards

Files

Maps

Newspapers

Objects

Periodicals

Audios

Posters

Videos

Objects

Periodicals

Works of Art

Books

Cards

Newspapers

Objects

Periodicals

Photographs

Works of Art

Featured Collection

Martha L.

Zimmerman Paj

Ntaub Collection

From the Paj Ntaub Collection

"Paj ntaub — the flowery cloth — holds our stories when words cannot reach."

Martha L. Zimmerman Collection, 700 pieces