Missouri State University Libraries

Special Collections and Archives:
University Archives

Missouri State University has a rich history reaching back to 1905 when it was founded as Missouri State Normal School No. 4. The mission of the University Archives is to serve as the "institutional memory" of Missouri State. To do this, the archivists works with the campus community to identify, acquire, and maintain records of enduring value that chronicle the development of the institution.

The records in the University Archives document the evolution of the University and reflect a wide range of topics, formats, and time periods. Included are materials from campus departments, research centers, student groups, and faculty. While the primary purpose of the University Archives is to document the institution, the collection serves a broader purpose by reflecting the University’s role in the community. As such, the records provide insights into the social, cultural, and political changes of Springfield, Missouri, and the surrounding Ozarks region.

Note to Researchers

As collections are processed, detailed information about the material is added to the department’s online list of collections. In addition, some University publications are cataloged and can be found by searching the library’s online catalog, SWAN.

However, most of the records collected by the University Archives are currently unprocessed – they are generally available to researchers, but have not yet been arranged according to archival standards nor has a finding aid been developed. Anyone doing research on the history of Missouri State University is strongly encouraged to contact the Archives. We will gladly work with you to identify available research materials.

Note to the University’s Record Keepers

Since 2002, the University Archives has received two grants from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) to identify, collect, and arrange the records of the University. As part of that ongoing effort, the University Archives encourages the employees and students who work closely with university records to learn more about the Archives.

The University Archives does not focus solely on the past – the archival records of the institution are being created today and need to be preserved for the future. The archives staff wants to work with the campus departments, research centers, student organizations, and other groups to ensure the important records of Missouri State University are preserved.

This can be as simple as adding the University Archives (located in Meyer Library 306) to your mailing list for minutes or publications. It can also involve contacting the University Archives prior to throwing out old records. Many questions can be answered by a phone call, while others might involve a visit from one of the archivists.

Two documents that will answer many questions are:

• Frequently Asked Questions About the University Archives
• When In Doubt, Don’t Throw It Out! An Archival Handbook for Missouri State University Record Keepers

Other Links of Interest

A timeline showing important events in the history of Missouri State University was compiled as part of the University’s Centennial Celebration.

The Paul Evans Library of Fruit Science maintains a webpage with information about the Missouri State Fruit Experiment Station.