Archives

Archival collections come in many forms - personal diaries and correspondence, institutional records, sketchbooks, original manuscripts of books, audiovisual recordings, and research files are all examples of collections held at UMBC. Our collecting areas include: photography manuscripts, UMBC department records and historical artifacts, the history of biological sciences, local Maryland history and folklife, and science fiction literature.

Use the subject and format specific pages for additional information and searching strategies. To search all of the archival collections, use the Special Collections Search. Search Tip: Enter coll* in the Call Number field in addition to your other search terms. This will limit your search to archival collections only.


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Finding Aids

A finding aid is a guide that helps researchers use an archival collection.

Center for Biological Sciences Archives

The mission of the Center for Biological Sciences Archives (CBSA) is to identify, preserve, and provide access to manuscripts, personal papers, and archives generated by individuals and institutions involved in the biological sciences. In addition the CBSA will encourage research, scholarship, and publication of writings on the history, policy implications, and social and cultural impact of the biological sciences. Public programs concerning the archives will be featured in the future as the archives and its activities are developed. Browse finding aids...

University Archives

The University Archives is a diverse collection of materials documenting the history of the growth and development of our campus, faculty, staff, students, and campus life. Included are departmental publications, the administrative records of the university, faculty papers, photographs, theses and dissertations, and oral histories with former faculty members and staff. Browse finding aids...

Science fiction literary manuscripts

These collections include pre-publication materials, such as manuscripts, galley proofs, and correspondence, from authors such as Brian C. Daley, Robert Zelazny, David F. Bischoff, and Thomas F. Monteleone, among many others. Browse finding aids...

Maryland history collections

These manuscripts and records contain the papers of individuals and organizations connected with Baltimore and the greater Maryland region. Researchers may also consider consulting the Local History research guide. Browse finding aids...

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Photography historical manuscripts

Papers and records collections that relate to the history of photography. Browse finding aids...


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Folklife collections

Beginning in 2013, the UMBC Special Collections department began a partnership with Maryland Traditions, the state folklife program that is a part of the Maryland State Arts Council. Part of this partnership has involved bringing the records of Maryland Traditions, and its predecessor the Maryland Folklife Program, and related materials to UMBC. Special Collections staff and volunteers are currently working to process these collections. The collections are open and available to researchers in consultation with Special Collections staff. Learn more at our Research Guide to the Maryland Folklife Program Records.


Collections

Maryland Folklife Program records, Maryland Traditions Archives, Collection 116

Maryland Traditions records, Maryland Traditions Archives, Collection 120

Dorothy Howard papers, Maryland Traditions Archives, Collection 121

Ola Belle Reed collection, Maryland Traditions Archives, Collection 122

Jason Pate collection, Maryland Traditions Archives, Collection 123

Elaine Eff papers, Maryland Traditions Archives, Collection 146

Painted Screen Society of Baltimore records, Maryland Traditions Archives, Collection 210


Related resources and guides


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Personal papers

Collections of the personal papers of writers, photographers and other individuals held at UMBC. Personal papers from local people and families are listed under the Maryland history collections above.

Rita Saltz collection, Collection 3

Mildred Grossman papers, Collection 6

Jule Eisenbud collection on Ted Serios and thoughtographic photography, Collection 23

John Price Bell papers, Collection 29

Mark Rice papers, Collection 41

Dick Higgins collection, Collection 43

Barbara S. Kraft papers, Collection 86, Special Collections

Leonardo J. Sirios papers, Collection 101

Eleanor Hovda collection, Collection 119

Robert W. Fichter collection, Collection 132

Steven Gentry manuscript, Collection 133

Annie Greene manuscript, Collection 151

John Q. Lane sketchbook, Collection 152

J. H. Swartz manuscript, Collection 153

John Dos Passos letter, Collection 154

Lizette Woodworth Reese manuscript, Collection 155

Die-cut scrapbook, Collection 156

Commodore Philip Voorhees log book, Collection 157

Autograph book, Collection 158

Andrew D. Jack journal, Collection 160

Account sheets, Collection 161

Baudour Porcelain records, Collection 162

Chinese paper money, Collection 163

Charles J. Ingersoll papers, Collection 165

Levy Lammott promissory note, Collection 166

Puerto Rico official documents, Collection 168

V. K. Findlay scrapbook, Collection 177

Edward Bafford recordings, Collection 206

Douglas McMurtrie papers, Collection 310

George Cruikshank collection, Collection 315


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Archives Month

American Archives Month is a collaborative effort by professional organizations and repositories around the nation to highlight the importance of records of enduring value. Archivists are professionals who assess, collect, organize, preserve, maintain control of, and provide access to information that has lasting value, and they help people find and understand the information they need in those records. - Society of American Archivists, www.archivist.org

Archives Month activities at UMBC


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