Welcome to the University Archives
Visitors are welcome to drop in anytime during open hours. If you have a research request, please see For Researchers for more information.
News and Happenings
- For Spring Semester 2008, the Rice Cow Creamer Collection is on display.
- In December 2007, the University Archives acquired the Christian College Consortium Archives.
- The June 2007 issue of Archival Spirit includes an article featuring the journals of William and Anne Taylor. The entire article, written by Dr. Robert Lay, can be found on the William Taylor page.
What We Do
The mission of the University Archives is to appraise, collect, organize, describe, preserve, and provide access to University records which document the heritage of Taylor University since its inception as Fort Wayne Female College in 1846. University records reflect the academic, administrative, artistic, athletic, recreational, and spiritual activities of Taylor's faculty, staff, students, and alumni. The facility also serves as a repository for special collections donated by alumni, faculty, and patrons of Taylor University.
The Archives serves the University by supporting administrative and academic programs. It also promotes the research of Taylor's documentary heritage by students, faculty, staff, alumni, historians, and the general public. Furthermore, the Archives encourages an awareness of Taylor's history through exhibits and publications which utilize University records and special collections.
Our History
University Archives' origins stem from forward-thinking staff members who kept copies of various publications and records since the university began in 1846. The items made their way to a room in the basement of the Ayers Alumni Memorial building during the 1950’s. Finally in 1986, University Archives was transferred its newly built facility off the Engstrom Galleria in the Zondervan Library building. Since then, the archives staff has worked to organize, describe, and preserve the materials.