The gilder lehrman institute of american history was founded in 1994 by richard gilder and lewis e. Lehrman, visionaries and lifelong supporters of american history education. The institute is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to K12 history education while also serving the general public. Its mission is to promote the knowledge and understanding of american history through educational programs and resources. At the institute's CORE is the gilder lehrman collection, one of the great archives in american history. Drawing on the 86,000 documents in the gilder lehrman collection and an extensive network of eminent historians, the institute provides teachers, students, and the general public with direct access to unique primary source materials. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity, the gilder lehrman institute of american history is supported through the generosity of individuals, corporations, and foundations. The institute's programs have been recognized by awards from the white house, the national endowment for the humanities, the organization of american historians, the council of independent colleges, and the daughters of the american revolution.