It organized exhibitions, lectures and radio broadcasts to inform the public about new technologies, and served as a locus for inventors' professional activities.

Eventually, the American Institute was merged with the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS) in the 1980s.

A detailed index is available at the New-York Historical Society of the contents of each box.

Additional materials were given to the New-York Historical Society by Mr. Kenneth Weissman, a trustee and officer of "The Institute" at the time of the merger with the NYAS.

At one time Guldens mustard had a copy of the American Gold Medal Award on the jar label.