Rockford College Archives

Archivist: Mary Pryor
Location: Colman Library - Lower level, west end
Hours: Vary - please call or email
Phone: 815.394.5168

The Archives Room at Rockford College includes a reading room and climate-controlled repository located on the lower level of the Howard Colman Library .The College archivist is responsible for the appraisal, acquisition, and servicing of the Rockford College official records, publications, and the personal papers of faculty, staff, students and alumni. The archives provides the College community and visiting researchers with archival and manuscript materials for research and curricular needs.

The Archives is the repository for all official records of the College and materials pertaining to the history, organization, and administration of the entire College community, having permanent historical or administrative value. These include:

Board of Trustee proceedings
faculty papers
records of student organizations
photographs
administrative records
documents showing organizational and policy development
back files of College publications
manuscripts
scrapbooks and artifacts
student publications
alumni records
Masters theses
publications authored by Rockford College faculty and alumni
other materials useful in interpreting the history of Rockford College

The Jane Addams and Hull House Collection

Jane Addams, class of 1881, founder of Chicago's Hull House, and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931, was one of the most important figures in early 20th century America for her pioneering efforts toward social reform. The Rockford College Archives serves as one of several repositories of Jane Addams' papers. The papers of other women who worked at Hull House, such as Julia Lathrop, are also found in this collection.

Using the Archives

The Archives Room is open 10 hours a week and the schedule varies from semester to semester. Monthly schedules are available at the Colman Library circulation desk. Materials are available by appointment with the College Archivist. Subject to copyright restriction, materials are generally available for copying. There is a copy machine and a scanner available to allow for convenient use of materials and duplication of photographs.