the institution also preserves an extensive collection of antique maps, dating to the 18th and 19th century, as well as a database of videos and films - some of the items hold great significance to the country and its, such as the collection of documents that the king of portugal brought with him during his exile, in 1808, including the original empire laws dating back to 1590.

among the empire's ministerial and legal documents kept at the institution are  the first constitution, the Lei Áurea abolishing slavery, many immigration records and a variety of more modern records from the 20th century such as urbanization plans and censorship laws from the dictatorship period.