The Center was established by the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the American College of Healthcare Executives, and is coordinated by the AHA Resource Center. The mission of the Center is to chronicle the history of hospitals and healthcare administration, especially in the United States. The historical collection is available for direct use by visitors and scholars with assistance from Resource Center staff. An appointment is required. Access and/or retrieval fees may apply. Selected materials are stored off-site and must be requested at least 24 hours in advance for on-site use. All historical materials must be approved for photocopying. Selected titles are replicated in the general collection and are available for loan through the AHA Resource Center's fee-based document delivery service.

The historical collection consists of over 800 books and journal titles collected by the AHA and the College. Particular strengths of this collection include hospital histories from the 17th through 19th centuries and hospital administration texts from the early 20th century. The oldest book in the collection dates back to 1676. Personal and institutional papers and memorabilia have been arranged in archival collections and described in written inventories that can aid researchers who are not on-site. The photographic collection consists of photographs of special significance to the healthcare field. A particular strength of this collection is a variety of AHA historical photographs. The Hospital Administration Oral History Collection features 90 transcribed interviews with prominent figures in the hospital and healthcare administration field who have shaped or participated in the events of the past. The postcard collection is comprised of over 1,000 postcards depicting primarily U.S. hospitals and medical centers.