WASHINGTON — An extensive archive from comedian Jerry Lewis’ career, including rarely seen films, TV recordings and home videos, will have a new home at the Library of Congress.

Thousands of documents and recordings are being donated or purchased by the library from Lewis’ personal archive. Library officials are announcing the acquisition today. Some materials will be available immediately to researchers.

The collection chronicles Lewis’ TV career, including his appearances with Dean Martin on NBC’s “Colgate Comedy Hour” and “The Tonight Show.” Conservators say many recordings from the 1950s and 1960s don’t exist elsewhere.

The 89-year-old comedian is scheduled to celebrate handing over his materials with a performance at the State Theatre in Culpeper, Va., Oct. 9.

The Lewis collection will be preserved at the library’s massive audio-visual conservation center in Virginia.