The Spring Hill College original main building, constructed 1830-1860
The Spring Hill College Archives houses primary sources, artifacts, and publications relevant to the history of the college, its property, buildings, administration, faculty, and students.
The archives is located on the ground floor, northwest front corner of the Thomas Byrne Memorial Library.
Hours: 1:30-4:00 p.m., Monday through FridayPhone: (251) 380-3872
Fax: (251) 460-2086 E-mail: cboyle@shc.edu
Researchers may use the archives in person by previous appointment. Telephone, e-mail or mail inquiries will be responded to by the archivist, usually with a two-day turnaround.
Primary materials have been collected and preserved since the coming of the Jesuits in 1847. Few documents (with the exception of some letters and contracts) exist for the years 1830-1846, the earliest days of the college when it was still a diocesan college under the supervision of Bishop Michael Portier. However, many records, even some very early ones, exist from the Jesuit years.
Prominent among them are:
Diaries of the Vice-President and of the Minister of the Jesuit Community, beginning in 1847
Handwritten registrations of students, entered upon their first appearance, are carefully prepared.
(They frequently give the names and addresses of parents.)College catalogues also exist from 1847, although not every year is preserved.
Student publications go back to 1891 and are consistent from 1900.
The college newspaper, The Springhillian, exists since 1924, and college yearbooks from the same year.
Files are maintained on outstanding students. Files are also maintained on campus buildings and grounds. Thousands of photographs are preserved, but most of them are as yet unsorted and uncatalogued. (Many are in albums, so that span of years can be assigned.)
Some of the special collections are devoted to Paul Morphy, the alumnus who became world famous in chess during the last century; and Father Foley, the sociologist who was famous for his activities in civil rights causes up to his death in 1990.
Artifacts include a number of civil war items.
Archival materials do not circulate and must be used under the supervision of the archivist.
Photocopies may be made by the archivist as long as photocopying will not damage the documents.
Researchers who want to work personally in the archives are asked to set up an appointment in advance with the archivist.
Researchers who would prefer to work from home or office may contact the archivist to notify him of the nature and scope of their interests. In most cases he will respond within two days, and will provide photocopies where appropriate.