Printer Friendly VersionJMU Historical Collection
The JMU Historical Collection consists of material pertaining to JMU-affiliated organizations and individuals in the categories below. However, before you use these collections, make sure you have done some background research on your topic first. Here are two background resources:
Primary Sources
- Founding Documents in Special Collections--A selection of digitized documents and images representing JMU's first decade; records include early commencement programs, Normal Bulletins, Board of Trustees minutes, faculty minutes, yearbooks, student handbooks, student posters, selected correspondence and documents of President Burruss, and an interactive, annotated historical timeline, 1908-1910.
- Archival Collections--primarily the records of JMU-affiliated organizations. This link allso includes some faculty and alumni manuscript material .
- Manuscript Collections--links to the main Manuscripts page, which includes all manuscript collections in Special Collections. The papers of JMU alumni and faculty will be indicated in purple boldface font.
- Vertical Files--This is a great source of ephemeral materials that document various events, programs, or activities.
- Oral Histories--This link will take you to the main Oral Histories page. There is no active link to JMU-related oral histories.
- JMU Historic Photographs Online--While the bulk of the photograph collection can be accessed on the web, Special Collections continues to acquire photographs that are not yet available digitally.
Secondary Sources
- Burruss Endowment Historical Research Grants in JMU Institutional History:
- Dr. Danielle Torisky, Health Sciences. "History of Dining Services at James Madison University." View pdf
- Dr. Richard Roberds, Faculty Emeritus. "History of CISAT."
- Ms. Pam Johnson, Theatre & Dance, with Sabrina Claire Chapman '05. "Highlights of the JMU Historic Clothing Collection, 1908-1958."
- Publications--Includes university and student publications such as Bluestone, Bulletin, Breeze, Curio, Student Handbook, as well as faculty publications.
- Theses, dissertations, and honors papers--search Leo for holdings; one copy should be available in the library's circulating collection; a second copy is available through Special Collections, but may be served in a designated location in the reference area.
Is this the University Archives?
Special Collections is not an official university archive, but it makes an effort to acquire materials important for the documentation of University history. Special Collections contains a range of JMU historical materials such as Board of Trustees/Visitors minutes 1909-1914; minutes of the Faculty Senate from 1967 to date; records of the Student Government Association 1926-1999; news clippings and press releases 1908-1984; nearly 2,000 photographs; and a vertical file of brochures, calendars, programs, etc.
updated 10/19/06 th
