Archives & Special Collections

The University Collections in Archives & Special Collections document the history, people, and traditions of Willamette University from its earliest years to the present. These materials include publications, photographs, administrative records, research files, scrapbooks, and other primary sources that reflect the academic, cultural, and community life of the university.

Print Collections

• Willamette University Office of Advancement records
• Atkinson Graduate School of Management records
• Germaine Louise Fuller papers
• Robert M. Gatke “Chronicles of Willamette” research collection
• Robert E. Hawkinson papers
• Institute for Continued Learning at Willamette University records
• Kimball School of Theology records
• Willamette University Office of Multicultural Affairs records
• Pearl Harbor Game collection
• Portland University Student Organizations records
• Robert Putnam Willamette University Theatre collection
• Lestle J. Sparks Willamette Students World War II Correspondence collection
• Tokyo International University of America collection
• Willamette University and Northwest collection
• Willamette University Arts and Sciences Academic Department records
• Willamette University Athletics Department records
• Willamette University Business records
• Willamette University Campus Photograph collection
• Willamette University Facilities Management records
• Willamette University Faculty Minutes
• Willamette University Freshmen Glee records
• Willamette University Library records
• Willamette University May Weekend collection
• Willamette University Medical Department records
• Willamette University Memorabilia collection
• Willamette University Office of Communications records
• Willamette University Office of Student Activities records
• Willamette University Office of the Chaplains records
• Willamette University Office of the President records
• Willamette University Office of the Registrar records
• Willamette University Publications collection
• Willamette University Scrapbook collection
• Willamette University Student Publications collection
• Willamette University Sustainability Institute records
• Willamette University Town and Gown records

Digital Collections

• Alumni Publications:  This collection contains multiple publications dating back to 1919: The Willamette University Bulletin (1919); The Willamette Alumni Magazine (1922-1923); The Willamette Alumni Bulletin (June, 1925) ; The Willamette University Alumnus (1926-1970); The Willamette Scene (April 1967 - Spring 2014); Willamette Magazine, Fall 2014 - Present.
• Campus Photograph Collection:  The Willamette University Campus Photograph collection, comprised of digitized prints, negatives, and slides, is a rich documentary resource covering nearly a century and a half of Willamette’s history.
• Choral Legacy Project:  Contains concert programs from 1983-2020 for the Willamette University Choral Program. Programs are searchable and include tours as well as local concerts.
• Collegian Test Collection (temporary):  
• Commencement Programs:  Willamette University commencement programs from the years 1860-1914.
• Dr. Helen Pearce Collection:  Contains photographs of Dr. Helen Pierce, professor of English at Willamette University for 35 years, and of Willamette University campus buildings.
• Freshman Glee Collection:  Planning and publicity materials, sound and visual media dating from 1914 to 1997 and 2007.
• Lestle J. Sparks World War II Correspondence:  Letters to and from Willamette students serving in the U. S. Armed forces during World War I
• Office of the President: Francis S. Hoyt Letter:  This is a digitized and transcribed letter from Francis S. Hoyt to Reverend Alvin Waller. Francis S. Hoyt was the first president of Willamette University, from 1853 to 1860.
• Office of the President: Nelson Rounds Papers:  Contains the digitized and transcribed correspondence regarding Nelson Rounds' appointment as the President of Willamette University in 1868. Correspondence is from Gustavus Hines, Nelson Rounds, and Leland Jackson Huntley.
• Paulus Glass Plate Negatives Collection:  Comprised of over one thousand digitized glass plate negatives of historical significance to Willamette University, the city of Salem and the Willamette Valley.
• Posters:  Selected posters from the Willamette University Archives
• Scrapbooks:  Selected scrapbooks from Willamette University Archives.
• Student Handbooks - College of Liberal Arts:  The students' handbook was first published in 1892 by the Young Men's and Young Women's Christian Associations, highlighting things that were helpful for a student to know. In 1927, publication switched to the Associated Students of Willamette University and was commonly known as the "Rook" bible. Publication transferred to the Student Affairs/Student Activities office in the 1990s.
• Wallulah (Student Yearbook):  Willamette University student yearbook for the years 1903 - 2007.
• Willamette Collegian (Student Newspaper):  Explore history by searching the pages of Willamette's longest running paper. For over 130 years, Willamette students have experienced and reported on campus, regional, and national events and trends in the pages of the Collegian.
• Willamette Puritan:  April Fools edition of the Willamette Collegian issued 1948-1950.
• Willamette University Catalogs and Bulletins:  Willamette University catalogs and bulletins for the years 1860 - 2007.

  See these web archive links for copies of other years:

  • 2003/2004-2014/2015
  • 2015/2016-2022/2023