Telephone: (413) 542-2299
Hours: 9:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:00 M-F

http://www.amherst.edu/~archives/
 

See the List of Collections
 

The Amherst College Archives and Special Collections is located on Level A of the Robert Frost Library. It consists of the Albert E. Barnett, M.D. ( AC 52) Reading Room, the Kenneth P. Higgins (AC 27) College History Room, and the John William Ward Exhibition Room.

Amherst has been collecting materials about the College and its history since 1851. These are housed in the department of Archives and Special Collections, together with rare books, literary and historical manuscripts, and other written and printed materials of unique value. This department is the designated repository for official College records, including those pertaining to academic programs and courses of instruction, academic departments and committees, and administrators and administrative offices. In addition, it holds historical manuscripts and other research materials in support of the instruction programs of the College, usually but not necessarily acquired through alumni/ae connections.

Further, the department collects a wide range of literary historical and biographical materials relating to alumni/ae and other individuals affiliated with the College (including faculty, students, alumni/ae, and benefactors). These individuals are represented in collections of personal papers, biographical files, and class records, in formats ranging from newspaper clippings to scrapbooks to richly detailed files of correspondence. The personal papers reflect the range of careers pursued by Amherst graduates and offer resources for studies of statesmanship and foreign service, industry (e.g., railroad development in the 19th century), publishing, philosophy, and education, to name only a few selected categories.

Collections are accessed through 40 finding aids in the Archives and Special Collections Barnett Reading Room. Some restrictions apply to the use of official administrative and institutional records. Historical documentation includes extensive photographic collections throughout.

Of special interest and significance, in addition to those mentioned above, are the following areas:

• American Protestantism, 1815–1915, especially Congregationalism and missionary activity
• The history of teaching of science in America, 1830–1890, with emphasis on geology
• Growth and development of the physical education movement in the 19th century
• History of higher education
• Early education in Massachusetts, especially as reflected in the records of Amherst Academy, precursor of Amherst College
• Amherst College in the context of the Town of Amherst and its prominent citizens who were founders

Similarly, the holdings are also rich in materials of local history, through the long and close association of College and town, through the involvement of local families (e.g., the Hills Family Papers), and through special deposits, such as the papers of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington family of nearby Hadley. Aspects of the social position and education of women emerge from the lives of women related to Amherst students and faculty, many of whose papers are included with those of their male relatives in family collections (for example, the Edward and Orra White Hitchcock Papers, described in this guide).

Researchers are reminded that the collections described in this review represent a small segment of the total, and are offered principally to develop awareness of the range of holdings. Additional inquiries relating to specific projects are welcomed. Please visit the Amherst College Archives and Special Collections homepage for more information.
 

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