Holdings & Finding Aids

Search the Five College Archives and Manuscript Collections (5CAM) database, which currently includes more than 700 finding aids from all five institutions. The database is not a comprehensive catalog of our archival and manuscript holdings at this time, but it will continue to grow.

This guide to the formal collections and major holdings of Amherst College's Archives and Special Collections is not a complete inventory. Much of the listing was compiled from old finding aids in non-standard formats, and the information, especially dates, should be regarded as approximate. In addition, a number of the collections, such as Commencement, are active, with material being added annually.

Collection titles in this guide use the following standard archival terms:

• Records—official records of institutions and organizations or their subdivisions
• Papers—personal papers of individuals or families
• Collection—materials from diverse sources, brought together because of a common subject, theme, or purpose

These designations may differ from the titles in the finding aids; consult the Archives and Special Collections staff if there is any question about the correct form for citations.

Please note that several collections or parts of collections are currently available online in digital format, as part of the Five College Archives Digital Access Project. These collections are indicated by the link "Digital Collection." Certain published works relating to Amherst College history have also been converted to electronic text.

To select a finding aid alphabetically, use the "Alphabetical Listing" menu at left.  You may also view holdings categorized by subject.

Tips for Searching for Manuscript and Archival Material in the Five College Catalog

Comments regarding this page may be directed to archives. © 2007, Amherst College, Amherst, MA, 01002-5000. All rights reserved. No part of this page may be reproduced without the written consent of Amherst College Archives & Special Collections.

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