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Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.). University Archives

 Organization

Biography

The Northwestern University Archives, established in 1935, holds material relating to every aspect of Northwestern's history, including non-current official University records, papers of faculty members, and records of student organizations-- as well as publications, photographs, audio-visuals, artifacts, and more. The Archives' holdings are non-circulating, and are open to the public for research and reference.

Found in 17 Collections and/or Records:

1949 Rose Bowl Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 25/7
Abstract

This collection holds an assortment of items pertaining to the 1949 Rose Bowl football game, which Northwestern University's Wildcats won over the University of California's Golden Bears. Items include media clippings, expense reports, souvenir programs, train menus, and other materials documenting the game, the participation of the NU Marching Band, the trip to and from Los Angeles, and related celebratory events.

Dates: 1948 - 2009; Other: Majority of material found within 1948 - 1949

Alumni Biographical Files Student Grade Record Cards

 Collection
Identifier: 51/15
Abstract

This series is composed of 9"x11” cards which record students' academic history during their stay at Northwestern. Each card records an individual student's name, degree (if attained), year of graduation, home address, parents' name, religous affiliation, birth date, school previously attended, and date of admission to Northwestern.

Dates: Other: Majority of material found within 1910 - 1927

Northwestern University Audio Cassette Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 76/2
Abstract

The Northwestern University Audio Cassette Collection consists of 53 boxes of audio recordings dating from 1914-2008, by various creators and relating to various aspects of Northwestern University life and faculty and alumni careers.

Dates: 1914-2008

Records of the "Bursar's Office Takeover", May 1968

 Collection
Identifier: 31/6/155
Abstract On May 3, 1968 more than 100 undergraduate and graduate students occupied the Bursar's Office, in the first major sit-in experienced at Northwestern University. After the students' April 22nd list of demands were not met, they declared their intention to keep the office occupied until these demands were met. This peaceful 38-hour occupation ended with University leaders negotiating with students, and committing to enhance services and support for Black students related to admissions,...
Dates: 1968 - 2008; Other: Majority of material found within 1968

Class Photograph Albums

 Collection
Identifier: 75/31/24
Abstract This series incorporates 27 albums of class photographic portraits dating between the years 1874 and 1888. Albums feature portraits of members of a given year's Northwestern University senior class, typically from the College of Liberal Arts, although all members of a class are not necessarily represented in any single volume. Also commonly found in the albums are portraits of Northwestern faculty and administrators, landscapes of Northwestern's Evanston Campus, and photographs of building...
Dates: 1874-1888

Deering Library Construction Photographs

 Collection
Identifier: 75/9/3
Abstract The series consists of four binders of black and white photographs documenting the construction process and the newly finished structure of the Charles Deering Library at Northwestern University. With two or three exceptions, all photographs were taken by the Chicago Architectural Photographing Company. The photographs document each state in the building's construction, from bare ground to completed but windowless exterior; and show the completed building (both general views, and...
Dates: 1931-1933

Exhibit Photographs: History of Fisk Hall and the Medill School of Journalism

 Collection
Identifier: 75/16/1
Abstract This series is comprised of thirty-one mounted photographs of various views of Fisk Hall and other subjects associated with the Medill School of Journalism. The photographs formed an exhibit on the history of Fisk Hall and the Medill School of Journalism that was presented by members of the University Archives staff in Fisk hall in 1989. The photographs, filling one standard-size archival box are arranged by format: there are eight 3″x5″ photographs, thirteen 5″x8″ photographs, and thirteen...
Dates: 1898-1989

Northwestern University Photographs Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 75/0/4
Abstract

The Northwestern University Photographs Collection was created by University Archives staff from a variety of sources, and originally served as an internal reference collection. Organized by topic, the photographs found here document people, events, buildings, and activities at Northwestern University from the institution's founding up through present day.

Dates: 1850 - 2020

Placement Center: Educational Credential Files

 Collection
Identifier: 30/13
Abstract

This series consists of 32 record cartons (plus additions) of letters of reference for former Northwestern University students. Most of the letters are related to student teaching experience, although some are related to work in speech therapy clinics. A small number of letters pertain to Ph.D. graduates seeking teaching jobs. The date span of the series is approximately 1946-1993.

Dates: 1946-1997

“Professors I'll Never Forget" Collection and 1975 N.U. Professors Exhibit

 Collection
Identifier: 32/2
Abstract The series consists letters from former Northwestern students answering an ad placed by Professor Harold Williamson of the N.U. History Project in the 1975 Spring issue of the Northwestern Alumni News, describing memories of favorite professors. The response to “Professors I'll Never Forget” was overwhelming, with people writing letters not only about one favorite professor but two, three, and sometimes four or five. Since the response to Professor Williamson's published...
Dates: Other: Majority of material found within 1975

South Africa Divestment Controversy at Northwestern University

 Collection
Identifier: 31/6/157
Abstract

This compilation documents student movements at Northwestern University between 1978 and 1986 which, in protest of apartheid in South Africa, called for Northwestern to divest from companies with economic ties to South Africa. The compliation consists of clippings, reports, flyers, and other documents from a variety of sources.

Dates: 1978 - 1986; Other: Majority of material found within 1978-1979, 1985-1986

Student Protests and Strikes at Northwestern University

 Collection
Identifier: 31/6/89
Abstract

The Student Protests and Strikes Collection consists of diverse materials that document political demonstrations and protests organized by students, spanning from August 1965 through October 1979. Each event included in this collection documents a segment of the history of Northwestern students' political activism.

Dates: 1965-1979

University Archives Nitrate Negative Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 75/0/5
Abstract

Acquired over decades from a variety of sources, principally Northwestern University’s public relations units and as separations from the manuscript collections of Northwestern faculty and administrators, the photographic negatives in nitrate format date to the period of that format’s popularity, circa 1890 to circa 1950.

Dates: 1890 - 1950

University Library Photograph Negatives

 Collection
Identifier: 75/9/1
Abstract

This series includes 30 rolls of negatives from photographs taken of the University Library. Most rolls total 36 exposures. The negatives, black and white and on Kodak Tri-X Pan film, are in 35mm format. The photographs, apparently taken during the early 1970s, are mainly of the interior of the University Library although some shots of Deering Library also are included.

Dates: ca. 1970

Northwestern University Video Cassette Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 76/3
Abstract

The Northwestern University Video Cassette Collection currently consists of more than 5000 VHS, Betamax, and U-matic videocassettes. The items date from 1927 through 2012 and were donated by various sources, relating to various aspects of Northwestern University life and faculty and alumni careers.

Dates: 1927 - 2012

Records of World Wars I and II

 Collection
Identifier: 46/2
Abstract

The Records of World Wars I and II related to Northwestern University fill two archival boxes and span the years 1914 to 2005. The records are divided into WWI and WWII with the majority of the records relating to WWII. Records document both activities during the Wars and commemorative activities postwar and include information about both general programs and specific individuals.

Dates: 1914-2005