The University Archives

"The University Archives' mission is to assure GW's history is preserved and utilized for research and education.  It offers the opportunity to not only read about the University but to see the history of the University come alive."

The United States was not yet half a century old when in 1819, the Reverend Luther Rice joined with friends to raise the needed funds to purchase land in the Nation's Capital and obtain a charter from the Congress.  On February 9, 1821, President James Monroe signed the Act of Congress which created the Columbian College in the District of Columbia.  In 1873 the name was changed to Columbian University and in 1904 to The George Washington University.  Although located in two other areas in the District of Columbia the University moved in 1912 to the area now called Foggy Bottom. Over the years the University has evolved and adapted, while maintaining high standards in education and student enrichment.  GW's institutional history is a definitive part of national history.  The University Archives' mission is to assure GW's history is preserved and utilized for research and education.

The University Archives, a unit of the Department of Special Collections, is located in The Gelman Library. It is the official depository for University records. These records date back to the first quarter of the nineteenth century and chronicle in detail the growth and development of the University. The Records Management Program arranges for the regular transfer of historically valuable materials, insuring historical continuity.  Some official records transferred to the University Archives are closed to research, except by permission of the originating office.

The archives of  the National University, which merged with GW in 1954 and Benjamin Franklin University, which merged in 1987 are also part of the GW collection. The archives houses University theses and dissertations, which date from 1894, and collects the personal papers of selected GW faculty and alumni--such as Marcus Cunliffe, George Hoffman, George Gamow and John Latimer.

The University Archives also offers the opportunity to not only read about the University but to see the history of the University come alive.  The museum collection ranges from a missile developed by GW in World War II to old mascot uniforms, athletics jerseys and debate trophies. The photographic history of GW extends from the American Civil War to the present.  The 1943 basketball Southern Conference Champions, the Troubadours performing with Bob Hope, or the University converted to a hospital during the Civil War are only a few examples of the 350,000 negatives, prints and slides and several hundred video recordings in the University's collection.

Historical exhibits presented by the University Archives are a part of the Department of Special Collections exhibit schedule.  Annual events include  distribution of the Faculty Bibliography and the Alumni Reunion Weekend exhibit.  Other special historical and university related exhibits are presented each year. There is an oral history program to capture first hand remembrances and a publications program to distribute short glimpses of the University, such as the first graduation, the first basketball season or the Washington Physics Symposiums in the 1930s.

The collections in the University Archives include handwritten, typewritten, and printed documents, publications, still photographs and negatives, yearbooks, motion pictures, tapes, machine readable records, oral histories, paintings and drawings, architectural blueprints, and artifacts and museum pieces.  All constitute the documentation of a University with a rich and exciting history.

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Memorabilia Room

   (History of GW Center)
   First Floor of the Gelman Library

The History of GW Center was opened in May 1998.  The room is a showcase for interpretation of the University's history and an expression of its spirit.  It connects to and identifies several of the University's collecting resources including the Dimock Gallery/GW Permanent Collection of fine and decorative arts and The Gelman Library's Department of Special Collections and University Archives. Displayed are visual testimonials to GW's history that educate those who are new to the institution and serve as a reminder for those who have "institutional memory" of the many milestones achieved and reported on over the last several decades.  This center is a vortex of activity where new academic perspectives and technologies join with the rich and diverse history of The George Washington University and Washington, DC. It serves as a point of orientation for visitors to the University and a landmark for members of the GW community.

Special appreciation is given to Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, President of The George Washington University, for his inspiration and support of this historical center.
Co-Curators:

G.David Anderson                                    Lenore D. Miller
University Archivist                                    Director, Dimock Gallery

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The University Archives Home Page

Are you seeking information on the history of The George Washington University or the Foggy Bottom area? Are you familiar with our collections, publications or services? The University Archives Home Page will assist you in answering these questions.

Information contained in the home page was written and compiled by the staff of The George Washington University Archives; G. David Anderson, University Archivist. Comments, inquiries and suggestions are welcome. The University Archives Home Page is maintained by G. David Anderson and will be updated every six months. For additional information: Call 202-994-7283 or E-Mail at cc1821a@gwu.edu

The University Archives site is maintained by G.David Anderson, University Archivist and Lyle Slovick, Assistant Archivist. Please e-mail us if you have questions or comments.

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