When I saw this topic on the Records management listserve, I had to dig down and then admit that I first had to find out what a great archive would contain.  Fortunately I did not have to dig to far as Hugh provided the answers.
1-collection of material that is authentic - in other words it tells the story as it is (sometimes that may mean that it is clouded by personal beliefs) but it also shows two sides.
2-Accessibility - can people access it?
3-what are the take away if you visit?

So with those three criteria in mind I started my search and quickly came up with a few that were of interest to me. 
A-Ripleys believe it or not (what they even have an archive?)
1-	While the strange and unusual does not excite everyone it does me.  I like to learn about a one eyed goat, how heads are shrunken, odd bits of history and facts that make me ponder. (if you have not figured it out yet, I like to ponder).  
2-	the stuff is available on the internet for pete's sake (and who has not wondered who pete was).
3-	when visiting my life is enriched because I can find out about things that I never knew existed.  Examples include the paper Lambo Aventador. Put one of those in your garage and let the neighbors spy it when you open and quickly close the garage door.  How much fun is that. Just don't let them too close. Example two the Three Gorges Dam. I had no idea that it was first thought of in 1919 (and I have seen specials about this).  And lastly how many people have heard of Tipo's tiger a mechanical beast created in the 1700's that not only move but makes noises and it simulates devouring a person.  (Historically the tiger represented Tipo and the man was European, which I conjecture tells me the basis of this piece of art is that they really did not want the Europeans in their country.  So lots'  of useful information is captured here.  

B-Guinness World Records, talk about records and you have to include Guinness (although truthfully I prefer my Guinness with some Bass Ale for my beloved black and tan, but then I digress).  
1-	They have many pictures to prove that Virgin Mobile opened a store by stuffing 25 people into a Mini, Joy made history by breaking a record for the Longest line of washed plates, or that the smallest (in height) dog is a Chihuahua that is less than 4 inches tall.  Records are broken frequently and it is nice to go to one source that has the answers.
2-	The stuff is available on the internet for crying out loud(which I had to look up and saw another saying, (really) take the biscuit)
3-	What do I learn when visiting this site what are my take away.  Well I find it useful to know tidbits of information in conversations that make people stop and think your pulling their leg (like the time I mentioned the six stroke engine and some of the efficiency gains derived from that technology, I quickly saw people getting on the computer to confirm what I knew).
Last but not least is 

C-Ancestry.com
1-	contains census, birth and other records that help individuals find out their history. Now if our original ancestors started a family tree and passed this on through generations we would have no need of Ancestry.com right.  It is interesting out people find out background information on their family that they did not know about.
2-	for only 19.99 a month you can access this vast wealth of information
3-	what do you gain from visiting this site?  Learn more about your background (you just found out that your great great grandfather sailed around cape horn) which explains why you enjoy sailing and like boats. Knowing where you came from helps to point the direction of where you will be going.

Out of these three that I have mentioned I would have to say that the Ripley's archive is the greatest archive of interest to me, I like unusual information, the light heartedness, the way the information was originally collected, just the right balance to help me ponder.   

I don't envision this choice is in anyway close to the other submittals but that's' ok I needed something to ponder on a Thursday and maybe you needed something to make you laugh.



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