All about the Archives

What do we do?

The primary purpose of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Archives is to collect and preserve University records and information of permanent historical value and serve as an educational resource encouraging scholarly research in its collections.

What do we have?

Over 26,000 cubic feet of paper and published material; 2.5 million photos, over 1,200 oral histories, films, audio recordings, memorabilia, campus publications…that’s a whole lotta history!

• Archival (“paper”) collections — reports, correspondence, news clippings, publications, BOR and department meeting minutes, faculty research, budgets, other documents, biographical and subject files. Content includes yearbooks, literary magazines, newspapers, organizational records, timetables and directories, course descriptions, student transcripts/records, scrapbooks, memorabilia.
• Images – photographic prints, slides, negatives, photo albums, digital collection. Images of people, buildings, events, traditions, landscapes, student and faculty/staff daily life, athletics, music, activities.
• Audio — cassette & reel-to-reel tapes, transcription disks, digital formats. Audio collections include oral histories, lectures, musical performances, WPR programming, speeches, athletic events, special events/presentations, celebrations, “last lectures”.
• Film — 8mm and Super 8mm, 16mm film, VHS/Beta formats. Content includes educational films, lectures, celebrations, events, WPT programming, amateur (student) films.

Where is it located?
425 Steenbock Library, 550 Babcock Drive; M-F 8:00 AM-4:30 PM

How can we help?

• Research assistance: Let us help you tell your story!
• Media scanning/digitization: Need images or audio to enhance your story, spruce up your Web site or help celebrate a department milestone? Make an appointment to review our media collections!
• Our records manager works with departments to help organize and accession official university records.
• Oral history program: Tell us your story!