Contents
Common Cornelliana
Certain items relating to Cornell University history were produced in abundance and likely already exist in duplicate within the University Archives. The more unique the item, the more desirable it is for preservation in the collections. Handwritten notes, scrapbooks, or original photographs are considered unique, as opposed to publications, which can be rare, but exist in multiple copies.
If you are considering donating items to the Archives, we appreciate if you evaluate your Cornelliana before contacting the Archives by seeing if material falls into any of the following commonly found items outlined below. Extra copies are occasionally accepted of exceptionally rare items or used to replace copies in poor condition, however, in general, the University Archives does not accept duplicates.
If you are not sure whether your items would fill gaps or be within the collecting scope of the University Archives, we welcome you to write us at the Cornell University Archives e-mail address. Including photographs of the materials being offered when writing is helpful.
Common Cornell University publications
Issues of the most mainstream Cornell publications are generally already held by the Archives, a number of which you can view online. This includes titles like the Cornell Daily Sun and Cornell Alumni News.
Niche student publications that were produced in smaller numbers may be scarcer in the holdings of the University Archives and are welcomed. You can check the Library catalog to see what holdings exist.
Check the “Library has” section in the catalog record. After searching a title, you may see something like the example below. The Archives is missing Volume 2, Number 1 for this publication:
If you don’t see your item in the Rare and Manuscript Collections, let us know.
The Cornellian yearbook
The Cornellian is the official student record of a year at the University. Unless the yearbook is pre-1900, post 2000, or in exceptional shape, additional copies are not needed by the University Archives.
A Book of Views
Produced in 1925, this volume has an oblong brown leather cover. This item is the most commonly received single item in the University Archives. It is believed that nearly 10,000 numbered copies of this publication were distributed. You can look inside the rear cover to find a stamp indicating the number of the copy. Please e-mail the Archives if your copy is numbered less than 100, greater than 9,600, or if the title page indicates it was a presentation copy of which several were known to be produced.
Cornell Song Books
Singing at Cornell is a long running tradition, and Songs of Cornell and other song books have been widely distributed to students and alumni. You can see the various editions and pieces the Archives has in the Cornell University songs and sheet music collection.
Cornell Calendars
Cornell calendars have come in several different forms, sometimes multiple editions for the same year. You can see which ones we have in the Cornell University calendar collection.
Student Handbooks and Desk Books
These information booklets are filled with fun and interesting facts to get a first year student started out right at Cornell. They had different titles over the year. You can see if we have yours by using the library catalog and searching for the correct title, like these:
Student Handbook
Freshman Desk Book
Cornell Desk Book
Cornell University commencement programs
The big day arrives and nearly every graduate keeps a copy of the commencement program, plus a few extras for friends and family. Most commencement programs are represented in the Archives, and duplicates are not needed. You can see which ones we have in the Commencement Program collection.
Diplomas
The effort and significance that a Cornell University diploma represents is great. As an archival object, though, they do not offer tremendous research value and are not generally collected by the Archives. Certain exceptions may be made based on the diploma recipient and age.
Cornell Wedgwood and other ceramics, glass, and metalware
Wedgwood plate sets with beautiful Cornell designs were produced in mulberry, blue, and green colors. The Archives maintains a collection of Wedgwood and other Cornell dishes, cups, steins, and mugs, in the Cornell University ceramics, glassware, and metalware collection. Duplicate items are generally not collected (steins are an exception).
Cornell banners and other textiles
Students and alumni have showed their Cornell spirit with carnelian-colored banners and Cornell blazers since some of the earliest days of the University. Cornell-themed clothing is regularly created for reunions to this day. The Archives holds some representative examples in the Cornell University banners, clothing, and other textiles collection.
Duplicate items or items that are represented by similar holdings in the collection are not collected, but the Archives would be glad to see photos of University textiles for consideration, especially fun vintage t-shirt designs. The Archives also works with the Cornell Fashion + Textile Collection, which may be a home for certain donated textile items.
Contacts
Evan Fay Earle
Dr. Peter J. Thaler ’56 University Archivist and Interim University Records Manager
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
For questions regarding collections or materials currently within the University Archives or other reference requests relating to University history contact the Reference Desk.
If you have items relating to University history or other Cornelliana and have questions regarding the potential acquisition of the material by the University Archives use the Cornell University Archives e-mail.
For questions regarding the preservation of official University Records as defined in Policy 4.7 or about Records Retention Policies use the Cornell University Records Management e-mail.
E-mail is the preferred initial method of communication, but phone messages may be left at 607-255-3530