Week after week, The Argus continues to publish this lovely column named “From the Argives” in the hope that readers will find the surprising and insightful tales from the University’s past memorable and even impactful. We now invite you all to delve into your personal archival research projects and discover the accessible and plentiful archival resources the University has to offer. 

Do you want to impress your peers with niche Wesleyan facts? Or even better, would you like to impress your professor with your use of outstanding primary sources in your research paper? From completing school projects to curing bouts of boredom, most students can benefit from archival research. There are a plethora of exciting collections at the University waiting to be uncovered and enjoyed by anyone with an interest. 

The University’s most valuable archives, rare books, manuscripts, and more are housed in the Special Collections & Archives (SC&A) of Olin Memorial Library. On all weekdays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., the University community and the greater public are welcome to visit the SC&A reading room and explore its current exhibits and collections. 

The research materials within the SC&A are categorized into various collections based on their medium, origin, and theme. From books and archival documents to online matters, users may delve deep into a variety of topics such as Middletown history and campus arts.

If interested in a specific subject—whether that be academic or personal—students are encouraged to email or schedule an appointment with the SC&A staff, Dietrich Family Associate University Librarian for Unique Collections & University Archivist Amanda Nelson and Head of Special Collections Tess Goodman, who can guide students through their research and aid them in locating materials. According to Nelson, the SC&A strives to be an accessible resource that inspires students in their research.

“Come in with an open mind and an inkling of an idea and let the material take you in different directions,” Nelson said. “The more you discover, the more you can find different avenues that you didn’t think of at the get-go.”

Two especially noteworthy collections within the SC&A include the rare books and the Olla Podrida collection (the University’s yearbooks). In past issues of The Argus, writers have urged their readers to check out these intriguing resources. Maybe now they will influence you. 

In a Feb. 2, 2010 article entitled “Special Collections & Archives: A Glimpse of the Past,” then-Staff Writer Max Brivic ’13, highlighted the various extremely rare first-edition books that a potential visitor could see. 

“Where on campus can you catch a glimpse of the first editions of Winnie the Pooh or lay eyes on a Shakespeare folio from the 17th century?” Brivic wrote. “The Special Collections and Archives, housed in Olin Library.” 

In a similar fashion, then-Staff Writer Sonya Levine ’17 published another Argus article, “Yearbooks Trace 147 Years of Wesleyan History,” on Nov. 11, 2013, calling for students to explore the SC&A—this time focusing on the Olla Podrida. 

“[…] in 1858, students produced the first issue of what would become Wesleyan’s yearbook, the Olla Podrida,” Levine wrote. “After 147 years of publication, the yearbook was summarily discontinued in 2009 due to declining purchasing rates. […] the yearbooks still carry their legacy, and a look through them reveals what they represented to the campus community throughout their nearly century and a half of publication.” 

Another resource relevant to this article is the archives of The Wesleyan Argus—also known as the “Argives”—which allows students to discover past students’ thoughts and campus happenings. To access historical Argus issues, one doesn’t even need to visit the SC&A in person. Like most of the material within the SC&A, The Argus is now digitized for online use and can be found in The Wesleyan Argus digital collection. 

In a May 3, 2011 article entitled “Editor’s Notebook: Digitizing The Argus Archives,” then-Executive Editor Lydia Tomkiw ’11 announced the partnership between The Argus and the SC&A to completely digitalize The Argus. 

“The Argus has partnered with the University’s Special Collections and Archives to begin the process of digitizing the past 143 years of The Argus,” Tomkiw wrote. “For over a century, The Wesleyan Argus has served as a source of campus news and debate. The first issue was published on June 11, 1868, and it has been continuously published since then.” 

The Argus’ digital collection is user-friendly and includes a finding tool that lets you search for particular topics and keywords within the collection. As the oldest biweekly printed college newspaper, The Wesleyan Argus offers an intriguing glimpse into the lifestyle of Wesleyan students dating back to 1868. 

Within the first issue of The Wesleyan Argus—still named The College Argus—published on June 11, 1868, an article entitled “Ourselves” outlines the mission and intended purpose behind creating the student paper. 

“The growth of college journalism has been as rapid as it is natural,” the unspecified writer wrote. “Every college of note, to-day, which wishes to sustain even a passable reputation, must have an organ, reflecting the popular sentiment of its students, and giving to the world a broader view of its internal life and workings.” 

The writer next explains the function of the student paper as a reflection of the University itself. 

“To our general readers we promise a sheet correctly portraying the spirit of college life and thought, and, striving to forget how to be dull and prosy, we shall make the Argus as true an exponent of Wesleyan wit, news, and prospects, as we may,” the writer wrote. 

Archival research is pivotal for understanding communities such as our campus community. Through studying the archives, one can gain insights, through firsthand accounts of the past, that contextualize the current dynamics of society and identity. This is a call to make use of the archival resources the University has to offer and explore any and every subject that piques your interest. 

Who knows…. You might even find yourself enthralled with the archives of The Argus and end up writing an Argives article. 

Maggie Smith can be reached at mssmith@wesleyan.edu.

“From the Argives” is a column that explores The Argus’ archives (Argives) and any interesting, topical, poignant, or comical stories that have been published in the past. Given The Argus’ long history on campus and the ever-shifting viewpoints of its student body, the material, subject matter, and perspectives expressed in the archived article may be insensitive or outdated, and do not reflect the views of any current member of The Argus. If you have any questions about the original article or its publication, please contact Archivists Lara Anlar at lanlar@wesleyan.edu, Hope Smith at hnsmith@wesleyan.edu, and Maggie Smith at mssmith@wesleyan.edu.