Washington University Archives
The University Archives chronicles WashU’s history from 1853 to today, with over 300 unique collections, including campus publications, reports, photographic prints and negatives, books, film, sound recordings, oral histories, architectural plans, and artifacts.
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Browse digitized parts of the University Archives Collections on Digital Collections
Explore the University Archives Research Guides
Using Archives: A Guide to Effective Research
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Collection Dr. Robert C. Johnson III Papers
Dr. Robert C. Johnson III Papers consist of films documenting Black student life and organizations at WashU and associated places...View Collection about Dr. Robert C. Johnson III Papers -
Collection WashU Historical Photographs
The primary source of historical images of WashU buildings, departments/schools, events, people, and sports is the Washington University Photographic Services...View Collection about WashU Historical Photographs -
Collection Jack A. Kirkland Papers
The Jack A. Kirkland Papers consist of his publications and writings on the American Black family and social and economic...View Collection about Jack A. Kirkland Papers -
Collection Michael W. Friedlander Papers
The Michael W. Friedlander Papers contain a broad range of materials related to the WashU Physics Department, Michael Friedlander, and...View Collection about Michael W. Friedlander Papers -
Collection Assembly Series Lectures
WashU's signature Assembly Series lectures inspire discourse, complement curriculum, and engage the greater St. Louis community.View Collection about Assembly Series Lectures -
Collection The Maid of McMillan Student Film, 1916
The Maid of McMillan is a silent film written and produced by WashU in St. Louis students in the Thyrsus...View Collection about The Maid of McMillan Student Film, 1916 -
Collection St. Louis Architecture Collections
Architectural and design records for notable local structures, along with archives from select architectural firms.View Collection about St. Louis Architecture Collections -
Collection University Publications Collections
Repository for publications such as the University newspaper, alumni publications, departmental newsletters, admission publications, and more.View Collection about University Publications Collections -
Collection Professor Kevin Herbert’s Slide Collection
The Kevin Herbert Papers include a small selection of slides used in his coursework on the subjects of Alexander &...View Collection about Professor Kevin Herbert’s Slide Collection -
Collection Catalogs, Course Bulletins, and Alumni Directories
University Archives has physical copies of catalogs, course bulletins, and alumni directories. A few are digitized and available online.View Collection about Catalogs, Course Bulletins, and Alumni Directories -
Collection Early University History
From the earliest surviving letter to our Inaugural Address, these items showcase the beginnings of WashU.View Collection about Early University History -
Collection Campus Architecture
Explore WashU's historic campus architecture, masonry, decorative grotesques, and more through our digitized resources.View Collection about Campus Architecture
Collecting Areas
Digital Collections
Digital Collections highlight those portions of the Julian Edison Department of Special Collections that have been made or born-digital.
Dowd Illustration Research Archive
The Dowd Illustration Research Archive (DIRA) at WashU includes original art and printed material from many popular American pictorial graphic culture fields.
East Asian Library Special Collections
The East Asian Library's special collection includes about 900 volumes of rare and special books, manuscripts, and other materials.
Film & Media Archive
The Archive is committed to the preservation of documentary film and other media which chronicles America's great political and social movements with a particular emphasis on the African-American experience.
Kranzberg Art & Architecture Library Special Collections
The Kranzberg Art & Architecture Library Special Collections is a 2,300-volume collection of rare and unique art and design printed materials located at the Kranzberg Art & Architecture Library. The main focus is illustrated books, prints, and photographs from the 18th and 19th centuries, 20th century artists’ periodicals and modern and contemporary graphic and book design.
Local History Collections
The local history collecting area focuses on the history of St. Louis and the surrounding region.
Manuscript Collections
WashU Libraries' Julian Edison Department of Special Collections Manuscript collections contain a broad range of materials dating from the 2nd century BCE through the present.
Modern Literature Collection
The Modern Literature Collection includes more than 175 authors, presses, and journals, more than 125 of which are represented by manuscript materials.
Music Special Collections
Music Special Collections include sheet music, manuscripts, rare books, and digital materials.
Rare Book Collections
The Rare Book Collections cover a wide range of subjects that complement books held in other collecting areas. The Collections’ primary strengths are in literature, the material culture of the book and printing, and aspects of American and world history. This includes graphic design, book arts, children’s literature, movable books, miniature books, printed works of art, and manuscript collections related to subjects in the Rare Books Collections.
Sports & Culture Collections
The Sports and Culture Collections highlight the historical and cultural impact of sports and fandom throughout the United States, with a particular emphasis on the St. Louis region.
Washington University Archives
The University Archives chronicles the history of WashU from 1853 to today with over 300 unique collections, including campus publications, reports, photographic prints and negatives, books, film, sound recordings, oral histories, architectural plans, and artifacts.