The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History | 5,278 followers on LinkedIn. The leading nonprofit organization dedicated to K–12 history education. | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History was founded in 1994 by Richard Gilder and Lewis E. Lehrman, visionaries and lifelong supporters of American history education. The Institute is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to K–12 history education while also serving the general public.