Research Collections

The University Archives holds authentic primary source materials to foster discovery and promote research about the University and the surrounding community.  Opportunities for archival research include preparing for departmental anniversaries, exploring topics for theses and dissertations, and assessing aspects of our history to better understand who we are today.

Become inspired by exploring some of the highlights below, or Ask an Archivist for assistance with starting your archival research. 

Archives Catalog

Check out our new database and explore the materials in our collections.

Digital Collections

Our digital resources now have a new platform. 

Collection Highlights

Oral History Collections are a significant source of information about the university and the surrounding community. More than 200 oral history interviews have been conducted by faculty and students over a period spanning five decades. 

Photographic Materials held by the University Archives form the most comprehensive collection of historical photographs related to the Hays County region of Texas.  With an estimated 700,000 negatives from the University photographer and 800,000 negatives from the San Marcos Daily Record, the Archives holds approximately 1.5 million negative images dating from the 1930s through the 1990s.

Academic Collections are the most recent addition to the Archives and are still in the early stages of development. Three new collecting areas will support graduate and doctoral research in the areas of Public History, Southwest History, and Water Resources.

University Archives strives to make our historical and digital resources openly available to faculty, staff, students, alumni, researchers, and the general public. Is is essential to remember that these materials should be viewed in the context of the relevant time period in which they were created. Please refer to the Historical Context Statement for more information.