Contents and Arrangement Collection View
Description:

The General series contains documents, clippings, and correspondence about each decade in Princeton's history from its founding until the present. The series consists of material that can neither be filed in any one other series nor in the chronologically arranged portion of the historical subject files. The files of Keeper of Princetoniana Frederic Fox, for example, include his notes on various aspects of Princeton life and history. Campus maps and general campus views can also be found here. Themed campus tours include views of Princeton in 1865, as well as tours focusing on trees and gargoyles.

Folders are arranged chronologically, with the exception of a grouping of general, non-chronological, folders which can be found at the beginning of the series.

Description:

The bulk of the Academics series consists of material on particular academic departments, programs, and schools. Departments, programs, and schools whose names have changed or that have become defunct are nevertheless filed in this series; departments with more than one successive name (or departments that have split or merged) may have more than one folder -- one for each official name. The general section at the beginning of the series holds other academic topics such as the honor system, the preceptorial system, and grading.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by academic department, program, or school. Files on general academics topics have been placed in a general section at the beginning of the series.

Description:

The Administration series documents the offices, deans, presidents, and primary administrative functions of the University. There are also several boxes of material on University finances.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by form or topic.

Asia, 1998

1 folder
Description:

This series documents the composition and activities of the alumni, the Alumni Council, and other alumni organizations. A large section at the beginning of this series documents the activities of the Alumni Council (the University-sponsored administrative arm of the Alumni Association), including Princeton reunions. Other topics include alumni organizations, occupations, regional associations, and long alphabetical runs on doubtful alumni (those individuals whose alumni status is in doubt) and alumni families (families who have sent more than one member to Princeton or who have been deeply involved in the University).

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic or form.

Abert, 1901

1 folder

Adams, 1926

1 folder

Allen, 1916

1 folder

Balch, 1904

1 folder

Bangs, 1937

1 folder

Bard, 1915

1 folder

Bay, 1944

1 folder

Brent, 1915

1 folder

Broom, 1916

1 folder

Brown, 1926

1 folder

Bryan, 1942

1 folder

Buck, 1943

1 folder

Budd, 1914

1 folder

Clay, 1925

1 folder

Coale, 1986

1 folder

Eddy, 1938

1 folder

Elmer, 1916

1 folder

Ernst, 1910

1 folder

Ewing, 1915

1 folder

Field, 1817

1 folder

Genet, 1931

1 folder

Handy, 1915

1 folder

Hanna, 1918

1 folder

Helm, 1915

1 folder

Imlay, 1916

1 folder

Irwin, 1914

1 folder

Leake, 1926

1 folder

Lewis, 1917

1 folder

Lord, 1943

1 folder

Lowry, 1927

1 folder

Lyon, 1914

1 folder

Mann, 1944

1 folder

Mills, 1915

1 folder

Peace, 1945

1 folder

Perry, 1984

1 folder

Pratt, 1938

1 folder

Rea, 1931

1 folder

Rice, 1942

1 folder

Riggs, 1945

1 folder

Root, 1915

1 folder

Rue, 1928

1 folder

Sage, 1915

1 folder

Ward, 1918

1 folder

Wiley, 1938

1 folder
Description:

The Athletics series consists of files on athletic pursuits at Princeton, from intramural sports and the once-mandatory physical education classes to Princeton's sports teams and the Olympic pursuits of Princetonians. The bulk of the series consists of files on sports teams.

Folders are arranged alphabetically within several general categories: general, health and physical education, intramurals, the Olympics, and sports. Files pertaining to several sports are arranged chronologically.

1948, 1948

1 folder

1949, 1949

1 folder

1950, 1950

1 folder

1951, 1951

1 folder

1952, 1952

1 folder

1953, 1953

1 folder

1954, 1954

1 folder

1955, 1955

1 folder

1956, 1956

1 folder

1957, 1957

1 folder

1958, 1958

1 folder

1959, 1959

1 folder

1960, 1960

1 folder

1961, 1961

1 folder

1962, 1962

1 folder

1963, 1963

1 folder

1964, 1964

1 folder

1965, 1965

1 folder

1966, 1966

1 folder

1967, 1967

1 folder

1968, 1968

1 folder

1969, 1969

1 folder

1970, 1970

1 folder

1971, 1971

1 folder

1972, 1972

1 folder

1973, 1973

1 folder

1974, 1974

1 folder

1975, 1975

1 folder

1976, 1976

1 folder

1977, 1977

1 folder

1978, 1978

1 folder

1979, 1979

1 folder

1980, 1980

1 folder

1981, 1981

1 folder

1982, 1982

1 folder

1983, 1983

1 folder

1984, 1984

1 folder

1985, 1985

1 folder

1988, 1988

1 folder

1989, 1989

1 folder

1990, 1990

1 folder

1991, 1991

1 folder

1992, 1992

1 folder

1993, 1993

1 folder

1994, 1994

1 folder

1995, 1995

1 folder

1996, 1996

1 folder

1997, 1997

1 folder

1998, 1998

1 folder

1999, 1999

1 folder

2000, 2000

1 folder

2001, 2001

1 folder

2002, 2002

1 folder

2003, 2003

1 folder

2005, 2005

1 folder
Description:

The Awards series documents awards given by the University to students, faculty, staff, and alumni. For information on awards sponsored by a particular department, office, or center, the researcher should also check the relevant file in Series 2, 3, or 8 (Academics; Administration; and Centers, Institutes, and Research, respectively).

Folders are arranged alphabetically by the name of the award, not the name of the recipient.

Description:

The Calendars series contains calendars produced and distributed by the University, including academic calendars and calendars featuring attractive views of campus.

Folders are arranged chronologically.

1870, 1870

1 folder

1871, 1871

1 folder

1902, 1902

1 folder

1902, 1902

1 folder

1903, 1903

1 folder

1904, 1904

1 folder

1905, 1905

1 folder

1907, 1907

1 folder

1908, 1908

1 folder

1909, 1909

1 folder

1910, 1910

1 folder

1911, 1911

1 folder

1913, 1913

1 folder

1914, 1914

1 folder

1915, 1915

1 folder

1916, 1916

1 folder

1918, 1918

1 folder

1920, 1920

1 folder

1921, 1921

1 folder

1923, 1923

1 folder

1924, 1924

1 folder

1940, 1940

1 folder

1941, 1941

1 folder

1942, 1942

1 folder

1943, 1943

1 folder

1946, 1946

1 folder

1947, 1947

1 folder

1948, 1948

1 folder

1949, 1949

1 folder

1950, 1950

1 folder

1951, 1951

1 folder

1952, 1952

1 folder

1953, 1953

1 folder

1954, 1954

1 folder

1956, 1956

1 folder

1958, 1958

1 folder

1960, 1960

1 folder

1961, 1961

1 folder

1970, 1970

1 folder

1971, 1971

1 folder

1972, 1972

1 folder

1973, 1973

1 folder

1974, 1974

1 folder

1975, 1975

1 folder

1976, 1976

1 folder

1977, 1977

1 folder

1978, 1978

1 folder

1979, 1979

1 folder

1980, 1980

1 folder

1981, 1981

1 folder

1982, 1982

1 folder

1983, 1983

1 folder

1984, 1984

1 folder

1985, 1985

1 folder

1986, 1986

1 folder

1987, 1987

1 folder

1988, 1988

1 folder

1989, 1989

1 folder

1993, 1993

1 folder

1995, 1995

1 folder

1996, 1996

1 folder

1997, 1997

1 folder

2000, 2000

1 folder

2001, 2001

1 folder

2003, 2003

1 folder

2005, 2005

1 folder
Description:

The Centers, Institutes, and Research series documents centers, institutes, and research projects at Princeton. Centers and institutes may be highly academic in nature, like the Center for the Study of Religion, or they may concentrate on social goals such as the Frist Campus Center or the Third World Center. Research projects range from the Woodrow Wilson Papers Project to the nude posture photograph project.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by the name of the center, institute, or research project. There is also a general section at the beginning of the series that includes general information on research at Princeton.

1965, 1965

1 folder

1966, 1966

1 folder

1967, 1967

1 folder
Description:

The Clubs and Organizations series documents the many clubs and organizations that members of the Princeton University community have created throughout Princeton's history. Though most clubs are founded, run, and consist only of students, some clubs are run just by faculty and staff or include all three. Many of the files only contain but a few clippings that give just a slight understanding of those clubs and organizations, although others are more richly documented.

Clubs are arranged alphabetically within the following general categories: academic; arts and music; career; debating and literary societies; ethnic, international, and regional; gender and sexuality; health and counseling; media; political and activist; recreational; religion and spirituality; service and community; social; and undetermined.

Description:

The Committees series documents the work of the various Princeton committees, task forces, advisory councils, and commissions that have worked to determine or advise University policy, procedures, or selections. Some committees represented here consist entirely of faculty or entirely of administrators, but most include some combination of faculty, students, and administrators, while a few even include staff, alumni, members of the community, and outside experts.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by committee name.

Description:

The Community Service series documents the University's efforts to support the surrounding communities. These files also contain information on student-initiated service projects such as Community House, Race for the Cure, and Climb Against the Odds. Files on outside organizations that operated major programs on campus, such as United Way and the Red Cross, are located here as well.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic.

Description:

The Conferences series contains material on conferences, symposia, and panel discussions that have taken place at Princeton University.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by the name of the conference. Symposia are listed under a "symposia" heading.

Description:

The demonstrations series documents the protests, strikes, and riots coordinated by or chiefly involving members of the Princeton University community (sometimes only students, but often including faculty and staff as well). Many early demonstrations, such as the 1800 riot, were the result of student unhappiness over the rules of an intransigent administration, such as the "unreasonable" mandatory daily 6am chapel services, which were extremely cold in the winter. Not all protests, however, involved significant internal dissention. In 1970, students, faculty, and administration largely came together to declare a strike against President Richard Nixon's expansion of the Vietnam War into Cambodia.

Folders are arranged chronologically.

1968, 1968

2 boxes

1969, 1969

3 boxes

1970, 1970

3 boxes
Description:

The Employment series documents employment and the staffs at Princeton University. Major topics on which much material has been collected include affirmative action for staff hiring, staff benefits, reports, and unionization. There is also a small grouping of files on individual staff members.

Folders are arranged chronologically.

Description:

This series consists of files on the faculty, faculty meetings, faculty procedures and rules, and benefits, as well as other assorted topics related to the University faculty.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic or form.

Women, 2004

1 folder
Description:

The Fundraising series documents University fundraising efforts and the Development Office. Much of the series consists of materials that accompanied Princeton's many capital campaigns, although the series also contains significant information on University funds, major donors, and annual giving.

Files are arranged into several large categories: general, administration, annual giving, capital campaigns, donors, endowed professorships, and funds. Folders within each category are arranged alphabetically by topic or form except for capital campaigns, which is arranged chronologically by campaign.

Description:

The Graduate School series documents topics related to Princeton University's graduate school, including graduate student organizations, graduate school housing, dining, facilities, academics, and publications. Topics that relate to the graduate school, even if they could also be filed under another series, are generally filed here.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic or form.

Description:

This series contains files relating to the health and mental and physical well-being of members of the University community. A large part of this series consists of files on McCosh Infirmary, the health center, and counseling services. Other files contain information on diseases, afflictions, conditions, and other health-related issues, such as AIDS, alcohol, the Fitness Center, sex, and sexuality. For material on the 2004-2005 Task Force on Health and Well-being, see Series 10 (Committees).

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic or form.

Description:

The Information Technology series documents the development of computing and information technology at Princeton, from the acquisition of the first computers and the development of University networks to the functions of the Office of Information Technology.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic or form.

Description:

The Lectures series documents some of the various lectures given at Princeton over the years. Lecture information is filed by the name of the lecture series, when applicable and known, or otherwise by the name of the lecturer. Colloquia and panel discussions are filed in Series 12 (Conferences) or according to the subject of the event.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by lecture or lecturer. There are a few files on lectures in general at the beginning of the series, including one filed by lecturer, A-Z.

Description:

The Legal Cases series contains newspaper clippings and legal briefs that document lawsuits and court cases that Princeton has been involved with throughout the years. Many of the cases covered in this file pertain to lawsuits between a student or a faculty member and the University. Some of the cases are concerned with important social or ethnic issues. The McDonald case brought up issues of racial inequality at Princeton, while the Ruble case brought up issues of gender discrimination in faculty appointments. Cases in this series also document legal cases that did not directly involve Princeton such as the Menendez brothers murder trial.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic.

Description:

The Libraries series contains materials on the various libraries at Princeton University, their collections, their exhibitions, and their staffs.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic or form.

Description:

The Minorities at Princeton series documents the lives of, and issues that have affected, various racial and ethnic groups at Princeton. While these materials mostly concern students, some also pertain to minority faculty, staff, and administrators.

Folders are arranged alphabetically within racial or ethnic groupings. A general section for materials related to multi-racial or multi-ethnic topics has been placed at the beginning of the series.

Description:

The Multimedia series documents film, radio, video, and other media formats sponsored by the University or created by Princetonians. The Princeton Preceptorial of the Air files, which form the bulk of this series, consist of transcripts of discussions amongst Princeton faculty—once aired over the radio waves—about issues of major importance in 1945. For films, radio and television programs, and videos about Princeton sponsored by non-Princetonians, see Series 35 (External Views on Princeton).

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic.

Description:

The Museums and Art series consists mostly of records relating to three campus museums (the Art Museum, the Epigraphical Museum, and the Natural History Museum) and to miscellaneous campus art and artifacts.

Folders are arranged alphabetically topic or form.

Description:

The Occasions and Events series documents many of the services, events, and festivals that have taken place at Princeton. Many of the events in this series, such as Unity Weekend and the Martin Luther King, Jr., Day celebration, document the diversity of the Princeton community. The collection's files on distinguished visitors, found in this series as well, are sorted by name (or, in the case of groups, place of origin).

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic or form.

Description:

The Origins series chronicles the origins of Princeton University (until 1896 the College of New Jersey); its predecessor institution, the Log College; and its original locations in Newark and Elizabeth. Included is information related to early gifts and purchases; and various historical influences.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic..

Description:

The Performing Arts series documents the music and theater programs at Princeton. The file includes information about concerts, theater performances, the Princeton Friends of Music, the Ladies Music Fund, and programs and schedules. Student music and theater clubs are generally filed in Series 9 (Clubs and Student Organizations).

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic or form.

Description:

The Princeton Area series documents subjects related more to the town of Princeton, or the surrounding area, than to Princeton University. Files related to the municipal governments in Princeton; University-town relations; other Princeton institutions; and Princeton homes, businesses, and organizations are represented here particularly well. Because documents in all other series in this collection are assumed to be directly related to the University, files on subjects that are related to the Princeton area instead of the University are nearly always filed in this series regardless of topic.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic.

Description:

The Religious Life and the Chapel series documents religious life on campus, including the programming of the chapel, the Center for Jewish Life, and the Office of Religious Life. Other topics related to the role of religion (and various faiths and denominations) on campus may also be found in this series. For a file on the dean of the chapel, see Series 3 (Administration); for materials that document local churches, see Series 29 (Princeton Area).

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic.

Description:

The Special Programs series documents the special programs run by the University, or by organizations closely associated with the University, including summer camps, summer programs, study-away programs, Outdoor Action, and an array of other programs. Academic programs are filed in Series 2 (Academics); programs closely associated with particular centers or institutes may be found in Series 8 (Centers, Institutes, and Research).

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic or form.

Description:

The Student Aid and Employment series contains files related to providing students with financial aid and with employment at the University. For information on tuition, see Series 33 (Student Life).

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic or form.

Description:

The Student Life series consists of material about students, student culture, and the day-to-day life of Princeton students. The series particularly strongly documents information about student demographic groups (such as women students, international students, and the four classes), customs and pranks, agencies, governmental bodies, and housing.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic or form.

Description:

The Symbols series contains information about the things that symbolize Princeton, such as its coat of arms, the orange and black, and the ubiquitous tigers.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by form or topic.

Description:

The External Views on Princeton series documents the opinions and views of non-Princetonians about Princeton University. Princeton has—almost since its founding—been a favorite subject of writers, artists, and filmmakers. Though it is often portrayed with admiration, it is also sometimes the subject of criticism or parody. This series also includes rankings of universities that include Princeton, things named for Princeton, and lists of Princetonians awarded non-Princeton prizes and awards. A large section of this series consists of newspaper and magazine articles about Princeton (the bulk of which date to the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries). Because of the number of these that are oversize, an oversize run is included as part of the series. For media produced at Princeton or by Princetonians on subjects other than Princeton, see Series 24 (Multimedia). For other newspaper and magazine articles about specific time periods in Princeton's history, see the chronological section of Series 1 (General).

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic or form. Newspaper and magazine articles about Princeton are arranged chronologically in two runs—regular size and oversize.

Description:

Series 36 documents Princeton University's involvement in war. From the Revolutionary War's Battle of Princeton, which was fought in part on campus, to the tremendous efforts made by the University during World War II to facilitate training and mobilization, Princeton has been significantly involved in many of America's most momentous wars. Subjects that relate to the military but not necessarily to a particular war, such as the Bronze Memorial Star program, the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), and the U.S.S. Princeton series of naval vessels are held in this series as well.

Files are grouped by war and arranged alphabetically within. The wars are ordered chronologically. Files pertaining to no specific war have been placed in a general section at the beginning of the series.

Description:

The Oversize series includes posters and other material that is too large to be housed in standard archival boxes.

The series is divided into two subseries.

Scope and Contents

The Historical Subject Files documents Princeton University history and related topics from 1746 to the present. The collection consists of documents in almost every two-dimensional format: articles, books and booklets, clippings, correspondence, memoranda, non-photographic images, notes, pamphlets, posters, and reports. Because documents are continually added to each series, the date range for each series and the entire collection is listed simply as "present."

All series refer to the subject's relationship or association with Princeton University except for Series 29 (Princeton Area) which refers to subjects associated mostly (or only) with the communities surrounding the University. For example, Series 26 (Occasions and Events) refers to Princeton University occasions and events. Material on a town-sponsored July Fourth celebration, because it has little to do with the University, is filed in Series 29 (Princeton Area).

Photographs have been removed from all series in this collection except for Series 29 (Princeton Area) and added to the Historical Photograph Collection (AC 112 and others). Oversize materials from each series have been replaced by a cross-reference form and moved to larger folders at the end of the collection for Subseries 37A (Oversize Boxes) and in the Mudd Library basement for Subseries 37B (Oversize Cabinets).

Please see series descriptions in the contents list for additional information about individual series.

Acquisition:

The Historic Subject Files Collection was transferred to the University Archives after its establishment in 1959 . Archives staff continue to add to established files and, where necessary, create new subjects and folders.

Custodial History

Varnum Lansing Collins, Class of 1892 and Secretary of Princeton University (1917-1936), created the Historical Subject Files Collection as a reference for his historical writing interests. An author of a history of the University and a guide to the campus and town, Collins collected a wide variety of materials pertaining to these topics. The files were transferred to the University Archives after its establishment in 1959.

Accruals

As documents deemed appropriate for inclusion in the Historical Subject Files are accessioned by the University Archives, they are added to the collection and finding aid. A major contributor to the collection is the Communications Office, which provides copies of printed materials it produces for various campus offices.

Appraisal

Boxes 34 and 35, material created by the Department of Geosciences, have been removed and placed in AC139, the Department of Geosciences Records.

Processing Information

Processed by Susan Hamson, Paris Makell '05, Matthew Reeder, and Rosalba Varallo with the assistance of John Adamo '07, Marilyn Agbeko '06, Samuel Clendon '07, Rodney Deavault '07, Emma Harper '08, Lindsey Huddle '07, Christina McMillan '07, Eric Meng '07, Devin Silva '06, Victor Wakefield '07, and Ian Withrow '05. in 2004-2005. Accession AR.2010.134 digital content processed by Elena Colon-Marrero in 2015.Accession AR.2018.003, Civil War memorial wall research material, processed by Phoebe Nobles in 2018.

Finding aid written by Matthew Reeder in 2005.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. The Trustees of Princeton University hold copyright to all materials generated by Princeton University employees in the course of their work. For instances beyond Fair Use, if copyright is held by Princeton University, researchers do not need to obtain permission, complete any forms, or receive a letter to move forward with use of materials from the Princeton University Archives.

For instances beyond Fair Use where the copyright is not held by the University, while permission from the Library is not required, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

This collection contains digital materials. Researchers are responsible for meeting the technical requirements needed to access these materials, including any and all hardware and software.

Credit this material:

Historical Subject Files Collection; Princeton University Archives, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/kw52j807s
Location:
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library
65 Olden Street
Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
(609) 258-6345
Storage Note:
  • Mudd Manuscript Library (scamudd): Boxes 1-33; 36-444; S-000241; DO-000010; 406A
Related Materials

The subject files of the University Archives related to grounds and buildings are held in a separate collection, Grounds and Buildings: Historical Subject Files (AC110). Other collections created or maintained by the University Archives to document Princeton University history include the Audiovisual Collection (AC47) and the Memorabilia Collection (AC53). Researchers may also be interested University Publications.

Because the Historical Subject Files is a vertical file which includes documents related to many aspects of Princeton's History, nearly every record group held in the University Archives may contain related material. Researchers may wish to examine finding aids for the high-level University offices, including the records of Office of the President, Provost, Secretary, Dean of the College, and Dean of the Faculty, as well as records of various departments and organizations within the University.

Bibliography

A portion of the provenance statement was taken from the Grounds and Buildings: Historical Subject Files (AC #110) finding aid, written by Sara Bush '94 in 1994.

Topics:
Civil War (United States, 1861-1865)
Subject Terms:
Education, Higher--New Jersey
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Monuments
Genre Terms:
Born digital.
Names:
Princeton University
Princeton-in-Asia
Collins, Varnum Lansing, 1870-1936
Places:
Princeton (N.J.)