Archives and Special Collections

Radford University Archives

The Appalachian Collection

Special Collections

Donating to the Archives

The Radford University Archives and Special Collections supports the teaching, research and public service missions of McConnell Library by collecting, preserving, organizing, and making accessible materials that document the history of Radford University, Southwest Virginia, and Appalachia. For information please contact Gene Hyde, Archivist and Appalachian Collection Librarian, at wehyde@radford.edu or 540-831-5692.

Ariel view of the Radford Campus, 1938

Radford University Archives contains official records, documents, publications, photographs, and other materials related to the history of Radford University. The Archives contain official minutes and notes from the Board of Visitors, RU presidential papers, historic academic and business records, publications such as catalogs, yearbooks, and the student newspapers. Some online collections include:

• Winesett Scholar Archives - papers and projects from Library Research Award winners
• Grapurchat - Radford's student newspaper from 1921-78
• The Radnor and The Beehive - Radford's student yearbooks
• Papers of Douglas Covington - Radford's President from 1995-2005
• RU History - Photographs and documents from Radford's history

1937 freshman class in front of McConnell Library

The Appalachian Collection contains manuscripts and other primary materials that document the history and culture of Southwest Virginia and Appalachia. Collections include the Highland Summer Conference Collection and the Virginia, Iron, Coal and Coke Company Collection. In addition to these collections, McConnell Library has an extensive collection of books, CDs, video recordings, journals, and other materials related to Appalachia and Southwest Virginia.

Students by the New River on the way to Ingles Ferry, 1938

Special Collections includes manuscripts, rare books and other collections. Some online collections include:

• Justice Arthur Goldberg Collection - includes books and some personal papers
• Keystone Glass Slide Collection - slides from the early 20th Century

Donating to the Archives and Special Collections - We welcome donations from RU alumni, students, student groups, current and former faculty and staff, and the general public. These materials help document and preserve the history of Radford University and Southwest Virginia.  We welcome donations of the following items:

Radford University History

           The University Archives collects material related to the history of Radford University.  Materials we collect include:

• Photos of students, events, life at RU, preferably identified with date and names
• Diplomas
• Records of student organizations, such as founding documents, meeting minutes, reports, publications, flyers, and photographs
• Publications, such as newsletters, programs, and flyers
• Small artifacts such as buttons and memorabilia (space considerations prohibit our accepting larger items)
• Materials that describe or document life at Radford, such as scrapbooks, diaries, letters, and photographs
• Clubs, sorority, fraternity, and social groups materials, including meeting minutes, publications (flyers, announcements, etc), photos, scrapbooks,  etc.
• Biographies, diaries and photos from former RU faculty and staff
• Biographies, diaries, and photos from former Board of Visitors members
• Posters, flyers, handbooks, programs, and other documents related to sports at RU
• Posters, flyers, handbooks, programs, and other documents related to social activities at RU (dances, club activities, field trips, etc.)
• Posters, flyers, handbooks, programs, and other documents related to cultural programs at RU (concerts, art exhibits, plays,  literary events, visiting artists, etc.)

Regional History

            The Appalachian Collection collects materials that document the history and culture of Southwest Virginia and Appalachia. We are looking for:

• Photographs, letters, diaries, family histories, and other documents that illustrate life in Southwest Virginia
• Maps, postcards, posters, brochures, and other items that document life in Southwest Virginia, especially relating to travel, the arts, church life, and civic organizations
• Records and documents from small businesses or family farms in Southwest Virginia
• Local histories or community histories from Southwest Virginia.
• Histories or photographs of schools and public education in Southwest Virginia
• Old newspapers, magazines, city directories, phone books, and other items from communities and counties in Southwest Virginia

            Donations of materials are considered gifts to the RU Archives and Special Collections, and will become a permanent part of the Archives and Special Collections.  Donors will and be asked to sign a deed of gift indicating that their materials will become property of the Radford University Archives and Special Collections. Donated materials will be organized according to archival principles, stored in secure conditions, and will be made available to researchers in supervised, secure environment.

More information about donating items is available on the following pages, which can be downloaded as Adobe PDF files:

• Donating Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions
• Donor Gift Form

Visiting the Archives and Special Collections

We welcome visitors and scholars, but we request that you make an appointment. For information or to arrange an appointment, please contact Gene Hyde, Archivist and Appalachian Collection Librarian, at wehyde@radford.edu or 540-831-5692.

All photos are from the Radford University Archives