The initial resolution to establish an institution in memory of prime minister Levi Eshkol was made shortly after his passing in 1969.

Founding members of Yad Levi Eshkol include: Assaf Agin, Avraham Agmon, Ephraim Ben-Artzi, David Kalderon, Ami Kamir, Moshe Sanbar, Shmuel Shilo, Simcha Soroker, Aharon Uzan, Aviad Yafeh and Gershon Zak.

Past members of the executive board included Michael Arnon, Shraga Biran and Arie Eliav.

His personal archive, containing documents dating from World War I era and until the Prime Minister's passing, is held at Yad Levi Eshkol.

Digitization of the archives commenced in 2014, alongside attempts to expand its findings by launching an oral history project for gathering testimonials of Levi Eshkol's acquaintances.