1949
The APA Library originated with a request from APA Medical Director Daniel Blain, M.D., to APA members who had authored books. He asked them to sign their books and send them to the APA; Within one year, he received 115 books, which he kept in his APA office. The autographed book collection formed the backbone of the APA Library for a decade.
1960s
APA acquired three properties on R Street adjacent to 1700 18th Street to house a museum and offices at 1811 R Street, N.W. Housing a museum was one of the zoning requirements for this building, and most of the first floor was dedicated to this use. The building went up in the early 1960s and replaced three townhouses.
1961
The APA library and archives greatly expanded its depth and significance when it received the personal library of Adolf Meyer, M.D.
1966
In 1966, the APA Museum and Library opened with inaugural exhibitions.
1980
In 1980, the late Marion E. Kenworthy, M.D., bequeathed her extraordinary collection of rare books to APA, including books from mainly seventeenth- to nineteenth-century on witchcraft as well as early psychiatric texts.
1982
APA moved to 1400 K St. N.W., which included a library with rooms for rare books, reference, reading, and archives. The library served the needs of APA staff, researchers, and the general public.
1984
APA dedicates the Logan and Daniel Blain Members Reading Lounge, which housed the periodicals collection in APA's new library at 1400 K St, M.D.
2002
APA moves to headquarters at 1000 Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, VA.
2018
APA moves back to Washington, D.C. to its new headquarters at 800 Maine Ave, S.W. and establishes the rare books room, historical exhibits from the APA Archives, and a digital web presence for the Library.
