Institute of Social History

The Institute of Social History (IfS) is a research organization based in the Netherlands, dedicated to studying social history—how societies, communities, and everyday people have lived, worked, and interacted over time. It collects, preserves, and provides access to historical documents, photographs, and other materials to support research and education. The IfS collaborates with scholars worldwide, contributing to a deeper understanding of social change, immigration, labor, gender, and other key topics. Its work helps shed light on the experiences of ordinary people and the social forces that shape history.