Archives and Special Collections
The Department of Archives and Special Collections houses the rare book collection of the Walsh Library, manuscript collections and the archives of the University. In addition, the department operates a preservation lab for the restoration of books and documents.
Rare Books and Special Collections - Includes rare printed books from 1473 to the present; handwritten manuscripts; the St John's Collection from Fordham's first library; the McLees Collection of Gaelic language books; the McGarry Collection of crime; miniature books; elephant folios; the Fordham Collection and the Jesuit Collection. In addition, there are new collections; the World Trade Center Collection, the Bronx African American History Archive; Miscellaneous Plays; early American printed books and pamphlets; and the Marie & Otto Maurer Mystery Collection.
Archives and Manuscript Collections - Our Archives include the repository for University records from 1841 to present; Board of Trustees minutes, commencement programs, yearbooks, college catalogs, blueprints, photographs, correspondence and office files relevant to the history of the University. The collection also contains research papers of various Jesuit scholars affiliated with the University. Our Manuscript Collections include Classical and Medieval fragments and deeds, personal papers of New York Governor Malcolm Wilson; social welfare activist, James Dumpson; Xavier Labor School papers of Fr. Philip Carey S.J. and Fr. John Corridan S.J.; Nobel prize-winning scientist, Victor Hess, and American Revolutionary war buff, Charles Allen Munn. The Munn Collection includes the drawings of the artist John Trumbull.
Featured Collections
- Digital Collections
- Special Collection Exhibits
- Fordham University History
- Fordham Postcards
- Fordham Photographs
- Fordham Graduation Photographs
- Trumbull Drawings
- Maps of New Netherland, New Amsterdam, and New England
- Cuban Baseball
- Hogan Steel Archive
- Digital Scriptorium
- Big Broadcast Jukebox
- The Latin Works of John Wyclif
Location and Hours
Walsh Family Library at Rose Hill
4th Floor
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Finding Aids
98% of the rare books are cataloged in the online database. Shelf lists and inventories are available in the department for all uncataloged items.
Access Policy
The Department of Archives and Special Collections is open to the Fordham community and research scholars. Items do not circulate. Research rooms are available for on-site study. Briefcases, books, and coats are to be checked in the department's lockers. Only laptops and pencils are permitted in the research room. Photocopies can be made only with the permission of the librarian.