Collections : [Columbia University Archives]

The University Artifacts Collection contains objects, textiles, buttons, trophies, ribbons, plaques, plates, and other three-dimensional items used as well as created by or for the University since its founding in 1754 as King's College. Some items were created for specific individuals or classes.

This collection consists of the records related to ceremonies, events, prizes, dinners, etc. It includes the planning records of events related to University prizes (Butler Medal, Bancroft, Cabot, Horwitz), honorary degrees, dignitary visits, presidential inaugurations and commencement. There are also materials related to the University's greetings, credentials and representation at non-Columbia events.

This collection contains the correspondence, minutes and subject files of the Columbia College Alumni Association.

This collection contains the recorded minutes from the different faculty meetings: from the representative University Council to the individual schools (Columbia College, Engineering, Journalism, Law, etc.). Faculty meeting minutes include information on admissions, the academic calendar, curricular changes, faculty appointments and leaves, student petitions, fellowships, grants, prizes, and graduation requirements among other topics. Unfortunately, this collection is not complete. Additional minutes can be found in the record collections of the different faculties. For example, there is complete set of the minutes of the Faculty of Columbia College in the Columbia College records. Similarly, the minutes of the Seth Low Junior College and the minutes for the New York School of Social Work can be found in their respective collections.

This collection finding aid is meant to facilitate access to a number of related publications. The Univeristy Archives holdings have been collected and organized so that users can easily request materials to view in the RBML reading room. For a few items, if there is an existing digital copy, a link has been provided.

This collection contains copies of Butler's speeches delivered at Columbia University as well as at numerous other institutions from 1882 to 1947 during his tenure as president of the Industrial Education Association as well as Columbia University. While the speeches address a number of topics, they primarily focus on the state of America's higher educational system, potential educational reforms, and local and international American politics (particularly in relation to the Republican Party and war).

This collection consists of four bound volumes: a handwritten preface, two full manuscripts on the summer cruises of 1886 and 1887, and a transcription of the manuscript of the 1886 cruise. The volumes relate the events of the Columbia College Canoe Club's 6-week summer cruises on Lake George, Lake Champlain, Richelieu River, St. Lawrence River, and Thousand Islands in summer 1886. In summer 1887, the Canoe Club had a permanent camp at Little Harbor Island, Lake George.