University Archives & Historical Collections

tel 517.355.2330 / fax 517.353.9319 / email msuarhc@msu.edu

	Collections		Research Room		Copyright

Research Collections

The Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections (MSUARHC) collects, preserves, and makes accessible for research the historical records of the University, as well as primary source materials including faculty and alumni papers, organizational records, and historical document collections.

These Collections are made accessible through the Library Catalog with descriptions for over 1200 of our collections. Paper copies of finding aids for these collections are available in 101 Conrad Hall. A copy of many of these aids can be sent upon request either through postal mail or in an electronic format. For more information contact the MSU Archives and Historical Collections by telephone at 517-355-2330, or use email: msuarhc@msu.edu for research assistance.

Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections' holdings include:

University Records

The Archives maintains all the permanent records of Michigan State University. These records are arranged by the office or organization and follow the organizational design of the University. They include the minutes of the Board of Trustees, papers of the individual members of the Board, papers of the Presidents, faculty minutes and records, faculty papers, records of the several academic departments, colleges, the Agricultural Experiment Station, the Cooperative Extension Service, International Studies and Programs, the Continuing Education Service, alumni papers, and student organizations and societies.

For a more detailed description of University Records, including retention policies and general schedules, see the University Records Management Program portion of this site.

University Publications

This includes many of the publications of the University; for example, annual reports, alumni magazines, directories, catalogues and other serial publications.

Historical Collections

The Historical Collections contain papers, records, diaries, photographs, documents, correspondence and other materials. These originate from individuals, families, organizations, institutions, and businesses. In addition to materials concerning Michigan, materials of national and international significance are collected on such topics as the Civil War, R.E. Olds Company, and the lumbering industry. The Land Grant Research Collection is part of the Historical Collections.

General Reference Collection

Created for general reference use, these materials contain broad information in vertical file form on various topics of both the University and historically relevant materials in keeping with the Archives mission statement.

Photograph Collection

The pictorial records of the University Archives and Historical Collections include more than 50,000 prints, thousands of transparencies, tintypes, ambrotypes, daguerreotypes, lantern slides, picture postcards, photographic albums, and over a half-million negatives. Many of the photographs are arranged by collection, others are arranged by subject. Those related to Michigan State include the University campus, buildings, classes, research activities, faculty and students. Among them are the earliest known photographs of the University. Other pictorial records relate to transportation, agriculture, industry, and lumbering; Michigan and the United States; and many foreign countries.

Audio-Visual Collection

In addition to the photographic collection, the A-V materials here include maps, drawings, blueprints, movies, video and audio recordings of University events, people, places and other historically relevant materials in keeping with the Archives mission statement. Much of the film holdings relate to organized athletics at the University. The oral history materials in the collections are comprised of both University records and materials from outside the institution, and are quite extensive.