Journalism Research Guide
Special Collections and University Archives

Special Collections & Archives

The Special Collections & University Archives (located on floor 25 of W.E.B. Du Bois Library) contains records of individuals, organizations, businesses, and community groups that document the history of UMass, the region, and beyond. Some collections that might be of interest to journalism researchers include:

Manuscript Collections

Charles Wipple Papers, 1931-1991
Correspondence and related materials documenting Whipple's career as a writer, award-winning journalist, editor, and ombudsman.

Dean Albertson's History 384 Oral History Interviews and Student Papers, 1975-1977
Transcripts of interviews conducted by students and activists in social reform movements of the 1960s and early 1970s.

John W. Haigis, Sr., Papers, 1903-1974
Western Massachusetts Republican political leader, publisher, banker, trustee of the University of Massachusetts, and founder, editor and publisher of the Greenfield Recorder.

Leon Shapiro Papers, 1939-1984
Historian, author, and professor of Russian and Soviet Jewish History at Rutgers University.

Silvio O. Conte Congressional Papers, 1950-1991
Spanning four decades and eight presidents, the papers offer an extraordinary perspective on the major social, economic, and cultural changes experienced by the American people. Includes correspondence, speeches, press releases, bill files, his voting record, committee files, scrapbooks, travel files, audio-visual materials and over 5,000 photographs and slides.

W.E.B. Du Bois Papers, 1803-1999 (bulk 1877-1963)
Scholar, writer, educator, and co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

University Archives

Records documenting the activities and views of various student groups, including those that have initiated or supported radio, television, and video programming throughout the history of UMass Amherst.

Reports, publications, and other media produced by faculty, students, and University departments (such as Public Affairs) responsible for developing and disseminating campus and external communication.

The above list represents only a small portion of the collections available in the Special Collections & Archives. To find other collections related to your area of research, see the Five College Archives & Manuscript Collections Web site, which contains a select list of primary sources located at each of the area colleges, or contact the departments for assistance.