Established in 1914, this noble institution, which is open to the public, is filled with all the archives and collections relevant to Amsterdam. Although you won't be able to actually hold the piece of paper from 1275 by which Floris V extended toll privileges to the then tiny town and thereby initiated its growth toward global dominance, you can eyeball this parchment, as it is part of their brand-new and permanent "Treasures" exhibition. The excellent on-site bookstore sells every available Amster-relevant publication.
Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip