The International Archives is the first building to be built on the Arc and holds many of the most sacred items within the Bahá’í Faith, but most importantly is built for the viewing of the paintings and drawings of Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb, along with a single photograph of Bahá’u’lláh. Although some of these items are available on the Internet today, most Bahá’ís prefer to see these items only in a reverent atmosphere, during the pilgrimage.
According to the Baha'i World Volume 12, page 37 the "...Design for the International Baha'i Archives had been made by Charles Mason Remey, carrying out suggestions of the Guardian of the Faith.."
Shoghi Effendi chose the Parthenon as the basis for the design possibly due to the apparent enduring beauty even after thousands of years. The capitals of the fifty columns were Ionic rather than the Doric Order. It was finished in 1957 however Shoghi Effendi never lived to furnish the interior. This was left to his wife Rúhíyyih Khanum.
Previously the rear three rooms of the Shrine of the Báb and then the building beside the Monument Gardens now called the Department of Holy Places were temporary Archives buildings.
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