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University Archives & Acadiana Manuscripts Collection

The University Archives and Acadiana Manuscripts Collection houses the archival records of the University starting in 1900. There are also over 500 collections of personal or family papers, business or organizational records, photograph collections, oral history and much more related to the Acadiana region.

The University Archives is especially strong in the records of the Office of the President. Other materials include records from the Student Government Association, the Registrar’s Office and the Department of Speech. There is a large collection of photographs starting in the 1900s and football game films from 1968 to 2000.

Most of the manuscript collections relate to the Acadiana region of Louisiana, but several have a much broader scope. Among the subjects covered in these collections are agriculture, the oil industry, architecture, education, literature, local and regional history, politics and women’s history. The larger collections include the Rice Millers Association Records, the Louisiana Intracoastal Seaway Association Records, the Jefferson Caffery Papers, the Edwin E. Willis Papers, the David R. Williams Papers, the Ollie T. Osborne Papers, the Mary Alice Fontenot Papers, the [Freeland] Barnett Studio Photographic Collection, the Robert F. and Edwin S. Broussard Papers, and the Louisiana State Rice Milling Company Records/Godchaux Family Papers. Recently the Archives added 2400 reels of microfilmed Louisiana colonial records copied from repositories in Europe and North America. These records formerly were housed in the Center for Louisiana Studies.

Photographs of Southwestern Louisiana Institute from albums compiled by Presidents Edwin L. Stephens and Lethar E. Frazar between 1923 and 1940 are available online through the Louisiana Digital Library.

Find Archival Materials

Materials are housed in Special Collections. Collection guides are available in the Jefferson Caffery Reading Room.

Online listings of materials are available via the Dupré Library Catalog and the Acadiana Manuscripts Collection finding aids.

Special Collections services are open to the public, be them University-affiliated or not. Making appointments in advance is strongly recommended, though not required.

Users can make requests using the following methods:

  • Visit: All materials in Special Collections are non-circulating and cannot leave the Reading Room. When requesting archival materials, a request form needs to be completed for each individual collection.
  • Appointment: Users can complete a Research Appointment Form so Special Collections staff can pull appropriate materials in advance.
  • Call: Users may contact the Special Collections reference desk at (337) 482-6031.
  • Mail: Mail requests will be forwarded directly to the Reference Archivist. Digitization requests by mail will be forwarded directly to the Digitization Archivist.
  • Email: Users may contact Special Collections at speccoll@louisiana.edu. Email responses are normally sent within 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays.
  • Chat: Users may make requests through the Ask Us! Special Collections chat. A staff member at the reference desk will answer promptly.

Citations & References

For guidance on citations and references to archival materials, view the Special Collections References Citations Research Guide.

Interested in Donating to the Archives?

Complete the University Libraries' Deed of Gift Form (PDF).

To transfer institutional records to the University Archives, complete the University Libraries' Internal Transfer Form (PDF).

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Contact

Special Collections
(337) 482-6031 | 3rd Floor | Room 314 | speccoll@louisiana.edu

Dr. I. Bruce Turner, 1946–2016

Dr. Bruce Turner

During his thirty-three years at the library, Dr. Turner guided the development of the library's Special Collections to include many important manuscripts collections, including the historical records of the University and numerous collections on local individuals, families, businesses, and organizations documenting the history of Lafayette and the Acadiana region. He was an active member of the Louisiana Archives and Manuscripts Association (LAMA) and the Society of Southwest Archivists (SSA) and was Board member of the Society of American Archivists for many years. Although his love of history was a predominant part of his life, Dr. Turner was involved in many other interests. He sang with Chorale Acadienne, First Presbyterian Church Choir and the Acadiana Symphony. A talented cellist, he played for the Acadiana Symphony and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Symphony Chorus. Being a man of strong faith, he participated in the First Presbyterian Church activities and ecumenical ministries, working with students of the Wesley United Campus Ministry. Dr. Turner's knowledge of the University, Acadiana and many other subjects was profound. Dr. Turner, Assistant Dean of Special Collections at Edith Garland Dupré Library, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. He is survived by his wife and daughters. He touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed.