Special Collections
104 Paterno Library
814.865.7931
UL-spcolref@lists.psu.edu
Special Collections is located on the first floor of Paterno Library on the University Park Campus. Our mission is to provide primary source materials for researchers from Penn State and around the world.
Richard Pearce-Moses defines a primary source as: "Material that contains firsthand accounts of events and that was created contemporaneous to those events or later recalled by an eyewitness." Examples include diaries, scrapbooks, oral histories, author's manuscripts, and meeting minutes.
Here, researchers can find more than 200,000 printed volumes, more than 25 million archival records and manuscripts, and another million photographs, maps, prints, and audio-visual items.
If you have not used a special collections library before, please note that we are open for fewer hours than some other parts of the library, and that you must use our materials in our reading room. For more information, please visit our brief online tutorial and tour.
Additional information on searching Special Collections can be found here.
Military instruction began at Penn State in 1865 as a replacement for mandatory manual labor. A Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program was created at Penn State circa 1916. Military training was required of all freshman and sophomore male students until 1964, when it became an elective.
Military Science Department Records, 1875-1993: Documents military instruction at Penn State. Items include Reserve Officer Training Corps yearbooks, quartermaster (supply) records, correspondence, physical examination results, books, schedules, and reports.
Penn State during the World Wars, 1918-1954: Details Penn State experiences during wars including WWI, WWII, Civil War, and Spanish American War. Documents civil defense, women at Penn State during WWII, wartime and veterans' programs, and campus activities. Includes a scrapbook kept by Thomas Burleigh, class of 1918.
Eric Walker Papers, 1933-1995: Consists of papers and artifacts documenting career of Penn State President, Eric Walker. Includes personal and professional papers, including awards from the American Legion, Navy, Naval Undersea Warfare Engineering Station, and US Military Academy.
Cadet Uniforms: University Archives’ Relics Collection holds artifacts, including uniforms from 1895 and 1909. Contact Special Collections for more information.
Additional Resources: Vertical Files
University Archives staff maintain General Vertical Files (GVF) and Photographic Vertical Files (PVF) around specific subjects related to Penn State. Vertical Files include pamphlets, flyers, clippings, and photographs for your reference. Files related to military training at Penn State include:
GVF: Academics and Research (See Series: Military Service & Tactics).
PVF: Academics and Research (See Series: Military)
PVF: Events (See Series: War for files related to WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam)
PVF: Physical Plant (See Series: Armory)
PVF: Students (Covers student organizations and activities, including ROTC)
Slavery Documents Related to the Hiring of Slaves during the American Civil War, 1861-1862: Consists of three letters written to A.J. McConnico, the secretary of the Mississippi & Alabama Railroad Co.
Charles W Atherton Papers, 1837-1950: Includes personal and professional papers collected by Penn State’s seventh president, his secretary, and daughters. Collection contains personal papers and objects related to Atherton’s Civil War service, among other subjects.
Bailey Family Civil War Army Papers, 1861, 1863: Includes appointment and discharge papers for Richard and William Bailey, respectively.
William Bardsley Civil War Letters, 1863-1991 (bulk 1863-1865): Bardsley served in Colonel Anderson's Cavalry and the Army of the Cumberland. Items include letters, photographs, news articles, and memo regarding encounter with the Molly Maguires.
James A. Beaver Papers, 1855-1914 (bulk 1881-1896): Papers document Beaver's war service, term as governor, time at the Pennsylvania State College, and other civic responsibilities.
James M. Berlin Civil War Letters, 1862-1894 (bulk 1864): Consists of letters written by Union soldier James Berlin to his mother and letters to his family regarding his death and re-burial.
Augustine Biles Letters, 1862-1864: Consists of four letters recounting movements with the 33rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment.
Charles P. Clark Civil War Letter Book and Other Material, 1862-1865: Includes a handwritten copybook of Clark’s official inter-Navy correspondence, after action reports, and orders, as well as loose papers including poems, a railroad table, a request for leave, and letterhead.
Thomas O. Crowl Civil War Letters, 1861-1887 (bulk 1861-1864): Contains letters to his family and friends about his health and camp life in Company H, 87th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment.
John W. Elwood Union Civil War Service Record, 1889-1962: Contains pension records attesting to Elwood’s service. Elwood wrote about his experiences as a Union soldier in Elwood's Stories of the old Ringgold Cavalry, 1847-1865: The First Three Year Cavalry of the Civil War.
James Kelly Civil War Era Letters Received, 1861-1864: Contains correspondence of Kelly and Heidler families to relatives serving in C. Company 77th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and the 9th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry.
Johnston Family Civil War Era Papers, 1838-1863: Includes citizenship papers and two letters written from Fortress Monroe, Va. and Camp Brooks.
Asa Earl Martin Collection of Pennsylvania Historical Documents and Civil War Letters, 1709-1962: Includes letters from various Civil War soldiers, alongside historical documents ranging from land deeds to an 1811 pass allowing a former slave to travel. Collected by Penn State historian and founder of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, Asa Martin.
Mary Gyla McDowell 100th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment Collection, 1861-1865: Consists of diaries, memoirs, letters, clippings, pamphlets, photographs, and histories of the 100th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment, also called "the Roundheads."
James W. McIlhenny Civil War Diary and Related Correspondence, 1864-1907: Includes an 1864 diary of a Civil War private recounting movements in Virginia and correspondence seeking the return of the diary to McIlhenny’s family.
Reverend Jacob S. McMurray Military Exemptions, 1865: Includes requests for physical and religious exemption from military service for Reverend McMurray of Carlisle, PA.
Stuart Family Papers, 1676-1994 (bulk 1861-1976): Documents the Stuart family, of Boalsburg and Pittsburgh. Collection focuses James T. Stuart and wife Emma Eliza Hunter’s military and personal Civil War-era materials.
John McKivison Civil War Correspondence and Receipts, 1823-1881: Contains correspondence discussing news from home, deaths, camp life, and McKivison’s dislike of fighting for African Americans. Collection also includes naturalization papers, financial papers, and other correspondence.
Henry Witmer Miller Civil War Letters, 1837, 1861-1863 (bulk 1861-1863): Consists primarily of letters detailing service with the 79th Pennsylvania Regiment and the First Tennessee Infantry.
Jacob Nofsker Account Ledger and Civil War Letter, 1833-1873: Includes ledger entries for labor, supplies, food stuffs, and liquor. During the Civil War, son William Nofsker served in Company I, 55th Pennsylvania Infantry and wrote from Campbell Hospital, Washington D.C. requesting money to return home.
Andrew G. Oliver Civil War Correspondence and Songbook, 1862: Contains letters recounting Oliver’s experiences as captain of Company F, 41st Regiment, 12th Reserve Corps and a signed copy of Hymns and Tunes for the Army and Navy.
William Campbell Wiley Civil War Letters, 1861-1863: Includes transcripts of letters describing hospital care and regimental activities, an index, and service summary for Wiley, a New York native who served in Company E 70th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry and wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Evan Williams Civil War Letters Received From Family and Friends, 1861-1869: Includes letters from relatives serving in the Union army in Virginia and other correspondence.
Martha Witherow Civil War Letters from Members of the 140th Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1862: Includes letters sent to Witherow, of Beaver Co., PA, discussing camp life, as well as some watches or maneuvers.
Elisha J. Bracken Civil War Diary, 1862-1863: Provides a day-to-day account of service life by a sergeant in Company C., 100th Pennsylvania Regiment (Roundheads), as well as photocopy of a portrait photograph and poem about his life as a soldier.
Walter R. Collins Civil War Diaries and Photograph, 1861-1884: Consists of three pocket diaries recording Collins’ activities as a sergeant in Company M, 100th Pennsylvania Volunteers, as well as a post-war cabinet card of him in uniform.
Luke Davis Civil War Pocket Diary, 1864-1865: Details Davis’ encampment and fighting in Virginia as a sergeant in a Pennsylvania regiment. Includes list of prices for army clothing and cash accounts for 1865.
Morris W. Hackman Civil War Diary, 1862-1863: Recounts Hackman’s enlistment at age sixteen, marches to Harpers Ferry, battles at New Market, and capture and imprisonment in Virginia.
Milton S. Lytle Civil War Era Diaries, 1860-1866: Includes pocket diaries describing Lytle’s studies at the Farmers' High School and service in the Army of the Potomac & Army of the Cumberland.
Recollections from the Ranks: The Civil War Diary of James John Maycock, 1862-1863: Consists of photocopied transcriptions of diary of the English-born Maycock's service in Company I, 132nd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, including the Battle of Antietam.
Thomas P. Meyer Incidents and Anecdotes of the 148th Regt, circa 1904: Consists of an historical account of the regiment’s experiences, including marches, skirmishes, and battles.
John H. Morrison Keystone Band in the Civil War Diary, 1862: Describes band activities, military actions, and weather while serving as a musician in the 49th Pennsylvania Volunteers Regimental Band.
Philip C. Shaffner and Robert H. Ward 1862 Civil War Diary, and 1869 Accounts: Contains diary entries made first by Union soldier Philip Shaffner and, after Shaffner’s death, continued by Confederate Brevet Second Lieutenant Robert Ward.
A. J. Thompson Civil War Diary, 1861-1863: Records daily life of New York native, Alonzo Thompson, as a soldier in Battery H 1st Ohio Artillery. Includes sketches of rivers, construction supports, surveys, and artillery trajectory, with calculations.
Dallas J. Thompson, Civil War Diary and Cartes-de-visite, 1864: Contains Thompson's diary discussing troop movements and recreation, as well as two cartes-de-visite, a news clipping noting the mortality rate of white and black soldiers, and a handbill regarding pension claims.
John I. Thompson Letter and Civil War Reminiscences, 1895 and 1905: Thompson’s 1905 Reminiscences recount the Farmers' High School students' involvement in the Civil War.
Samuel Tintsman Diary and Family Genealogical Chart 1862-1992: Includes diary (1862-1863) of Tinstman’s service with 61st Pennsylvania Infantry. Includes poems and prayers about duty, faith, conduct, and treatment of enemy, prisoners, and wounded. Also includes a 1992 Tinstman family genealogical chart.
Almon Wetmore Civil War Diaries, 1863-1864: Contains two diaries describing Wetmore’s life on the campaign, winter quarters, significant battles, and prominent casualties (such as the wounding of Gen. Daniel Sickles).
Zina Woodhouse Civil War diary, 1863-1864: Includes a printed Daily pocket remembrance detailing Woodhouse’s experiences as a private in the Union Army.
Civil War Draft Exemption Records from Rockland County, NY, 1862: Created in preparation for the 1862 state militia draft, these the records document issues of citizenship, health, and occupational exemptions.
Descriptive List of Deserters from Pennsylvania Military Units during the Civil War, 1866: Consists of printed, certified lists of deserters as reported to the U.S. Provost Marshal General's Bureau.
In Memoriam Circulars for Deceased Civil War Veterans, 1906-1908: Contains six memorial circulars for Civil War veterans from Pennsylvania and biographical essay.
Penn State during the World Wars, 1918-1954: Details Penn State experiences to wars including WWI, WWII, Civil War, and Spanish American War. Documents civil defense, women at Penn State during WWII, wartime and veterans' programs, and campus activities. Includes a 1918 scrapbook kept by Thomas Burleigh, class of 1918.
American Eyewitness Accounts of World War I Graphics Collection 1917-1919: Consists of WWI photographs, broadsides, cartoons, sheet music, and posters, including Abian Wallgren books and A. Hausold (Pittsburgh, Pa) photographs.
C. Vernoy Davis’ World War I memoirs and letters to Ethel Boarts, 1918-1919, 1979-1993: Contains a memoir of C. Vernoy Davis’ of service in France (1918-1919) and letters sent to Boarts providing her with personal information and sections of the memoir (1979-1993).
Ernest Weidhaas Anti-War Collection, 1917-1953: Contains correspondence and publications concerning anti-war efforts during and following World War I and World War II.
World War I Military Draft Papers for New York & New Jersey, 1917-1919: Documents local enlistments for Division 58, Local Board of Brooklyn, NY. Records include lists of registrants, draft and records regulations, and lists identifying individuals and the order in which individuals were to be drafted.
World War I photographs and postcards of France, circa 1917-1918: Contains personal photographs and postcards of France during World War I showing the cities of Dijon, Bordeaux, Lyon, Paris, Toulouse, and others. Subjects include citizens, military men and hardware, landmarks, and cathedrals.
Contact Special Collections for more information
Eighth Air Force Archives, 1939-2009: Documents groups serving in Europe during WWII and Eighth Air Force veterans organizations nationwide. Contains books, organizational records, over 500 audio and videotapes, and hundreds of artifacts donated by veterans and their families. More…
Sherwin L. Barton World War II Papers: Features handwritten remembrances and illustrations of Barton's capture and incarceration in Germany, 1944-1945.
Quincy E. Conklin World War II Aviation Scrapbook, 1942-1945: Consists of a scrapbook compiled by Conklin, an aviation mechanic, about his service in WWII and aviation history.
Leonard Doggett Scrapbook concerning Post-war Naval Education, 1945: Contains letters, especially concerning "Post war naval education for naval officers" article, a reprint of his article, and other news items.
Robert Galbraith Correspondence and Photographs re: PSU Student Enlistees, , circa 1941-1948: Contains letters with and about students enlisted during WWII, as well as photographs, rolls of enlisted students, and armed forces pamphlets collected by Penn State English instructor, coach, and advisor, Robert Galbraith.
Leon Kolankiewicz World War II Collection, 1941-2011: Includes writings, memorabilia and graphics related to his World War II experiences in the South West Pacific Theater.
Ernest Weidhaas Anti-War Collection, 1917-1953: Contains correspondence and publications concerning anti-war efforts during and following World War I and World War II.
Yeaton Family Papers, 1922-1990: Contains papers of Samuel Yeaton, including correspondence and books on the military and fighting techniques. Also includes papers of Penn State Professor Kelly Yeaton. Restricted access to correspondence between Kelly Yeaton and Shirley Coe-Yeaton, 1941-1954.
Veterans History Project Recordings and Logs, 2004-2009: Consists of audiovisual recordings and logs of oral histories of war veterans and civilians conducted by Penn State students.
Pennsylvania State College Joint Committee to Study Post-War Planning for Fraternities, 1944-1945: Includes correspondence, minutes, and final report related to post-war planning.
State College Service Center World War II Records, 1941-1945: Includes record books documenting financial transactions, housing, and transportation, and some correspondence for the State College resource center for servicemen and families.
World War II propaganda collection, 1943-1947: Includes pamphlets, periodicals, broadsides, and newspapers produced by the U.S. Office of War Information and its British counterpart, the Ministry of Information.
In addition, the University Archives’ Relics collection includes the Edward Kriscke Naval Uniform. Contact Special Collections for more information.
Collections related to other conflicts include records ranging from the American Revolutionary War to Vietnam and the Persian Gulf. Collection highlights include the Veterans History Project Recordings and Logs, 2004-2009, which contains oral history interviews with a war veterans and civilians from a wide range of conflicts. Other highlights include collections focused around specific military engagements, listed here:
Pennsylvania revolutionary war soldiers' petition to the General Assembly, 1784: Documents draft petition regarding soldiers' pay by Officers of the Pennsylvania Line. Features detailed references to currency depreciation and soldiers' financial hardships.
Military Leave of Absence, 1814: Consists of a leave of absence for John Jamison, Peter Meyer, and Henry Meyer written by first sergeant George Clinger, by order of Captain John Bergstresser.
John Witherow Military Duty Journal, 1814: Includes a transcription and photocopy of the military duty journal kept by John Witherow as a volunteer private in the Pennsylvania Militia during the War of 1812.
Mexican Army Garrison Military Ledger, 1846-1847: Records details of expenses, casualties, promotion, disciplinary action, and the distribution of munitions in a ledger maintained by Mexican artillery officers.
Military Tour in Alsace and Lorraine Travel Diary, 1873: Consists of a single 290 page volume detailing Richard Handcock Castlemaine’s walking tour of Alsace and Lorraine in the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War.
Spanish-American War Newspaper Clippings from Kansas City Newspapers, 1898: Consists of newspaper clippings from Kansas City, Missouri, pasted into an 1897 issue of Inland Printer magazine.
15th Infantry, U.S. Army Forces in Tienstin, China, 1930-1931: Consists of a scrapbook including photographs of soldiers, sites, tombs, and beheadings and executions.
William P. Rothrock Papers concerning ROTC at the Pennsylvania State College, 1928-1931: Contains correspondence about the Wesley Foundation and ROTC facilities, clippings about preparedness, statistics on ROTC in PA, and other items.
Pamphlets of the Spanish Civil War and the Franco Regime, 1936-1939: Contains 65 pamphlets about the Spanish Civil War and three master negative reels for the microfilm copies.
Jean Sherman Letters concerning Spanish Civil War Writers Auction, 1936-1949 (bulk 1938-1939): Contains letters and postcards to Sherman and Dashiell Hammett at the League of American Writers in NY in response to requests for donations at fairs to aid exiled writers.
Veterans History Project Recordings and Logs, 2004-2009: Consists of audiovisual recordings and logs of oral histories of war veterans and civilians conducted by Penn State students.
Don Leon collection about the Korean War Veterans Memorial, 1989-1992 Contains drawings, photographs, newspaper articles, correspondence, and audiovisual recordings documenting the controversy over the design created by four Penn State professors in 1989.
Veterans History Project Recordings and Logs, 2004-2009: Consists of audiovisual recordings and logs of oral histories of war veterans and civilians conducted by Penn State students.
Thomas W. Benson Political Protest Collection, 1962-2008 (bulk 1969-1971): Consists of anti-war and protest posters, political campaign posters for NY state politicians, examples of student activist and civil rights newspapers, and events posters from the Vietnam War era.
Robert Joyce Papers, 1952-1973: Includes photographs of acts of social disobedience, including Civil Rights Movement sit-ins, riots, Cold War peace demonstrations, and anti-Vietnam War protests.
New Left Pamphlet Collection, 1893-1973 and undated: see Series: Vietnam, 1965-1970
Richard S. Schweiker Papers, 1952-1983: Includes correspondence, recordings, speeches and files of former Senator (1962-81) and US Secretary of Health and Human Services (1981-83), Richard Schweiker. Documents issues related to the draft, pacification, withdrawal, POWs/MIAs, veterans, and other topics.
Vietnam Anti-War Posters. Contact Special Collections for more information
Veterans History Project Recordings and Logs, 2004-2009: Consists of audiovisual recordings and logs of oral histories of war veterans and civilians conducted by Penn State students.
