Purpose of the Collection

This archives' primary purpose is to maintain and preserve historic materials related to the development of Glenville State College and the history of north-central West Virginia. The historic materials housed in this collection are available for research by faculty, staff, students, and the general public.

History of the Glenville State College Archive

In 2002, the Glenville State College (GSC) administration set aside space for archival holdings in the Robert F. Kidd Library. The Archives was established through the assistance of Congressman Alan B. Mollohan and a Vandalia Heritage Foundation grant that supplied furniture, equipment, and student assistants for creating and maintaining the Archive at Glenville State College. During the next few years, the Archive was kept in operation by the first ladies of GSC and student assistants. Larry Sypolt, West Virginia University Senior Project Coordinator, also provided help for specific projects and served as the primary consultant for all archival procedures. In 2008, a full-time Robert F. Kidd Library staff member was given the responsibility of supervising student assistants, implementing preservation techniques, and overseeing the development the collection. The GSC Archive is a growing entity and improvements to this web-site will be made as digitization and other projects are completed.

What is in the Archives Collection?

Housed in the Robert F. Kidd Library, the Glenville State College Archives includes materials of permanent significance to the history of the college and the surrounding area. Records in the Archives date back to the college's inception in 1872 and include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Historic Artifacts related to the Glenville Normal School, Glenville State Teacher's College, and Glenville State College
  • GNS, GSTC, and GSC Special Publications (e.g. special events, theatre programs, brochures, commencement programs, etc.)
  • Campus Publications (e.g. student newspapers, yearbooks)
  • Personal Papers of Early Administrators
  • Oral Histories Compiled from Several Oral History Projects (e.g. personal accounts of life in North Central WV, teaching and education in North Central WV, WV Hillbilly Editor-Jim Comstock interviews)
  • Oral History Projects Dedicated to Central West Virginia's Veterans' Legacy
  • Alumni Materials (e.g. newsletters, event programs)
  • Building Information and History (e.g. photographs, planning documents)
  • College Catalogues and Course Information History
  • Extensive GNS, GSTC, and GSC Sports Collection (e.g. photographs, statistics, personal papers of coaches, etc.)
  • Photograph collection of GNS, GSTC, and GSC Faculty, Staff, and Administration
  • Photography and Audio-Visual Equipment Collection

Access to the Archives

Limitations to the way in which archival materials can be used may be dictated by the physical condition of the materials, its confidentiality, restrictions placed by the donor, or other restrictions defined by the Library Director and/or Library Archivist.

Restricted Materials
Individual restrictions may differ for each item in the collection as defined above.
Unrestricted Materials
Unrestricted materials are available for use in the archives office and/or the library by faculty, staff, students, and the general public upon approval by the Library Director and/or Library Archivist. These basic guidelines apply to the use of unrestricted materials:
  1. The Archives Collection does not circulate and no materials may be removed from the library.
  2. Patrons are advised to call in advance or submit a written request to research the Archives Collection. Requests should be as specific as possible so the Library Archivist can gather the materials needed for your appointment.
  3. The Library Archivist or the Library Director supervises access to the archival materials and its use within the library.
  4. Audio/Video duplication, photocopying, and photograph reproduction services are provided by the Library Archivist upon request. Fees and/or restrictions may apply.

Contact

If you have any questions, you may write, phone, visit, or e-mail the library archivist. Visitors interested in seeing the archives office are welcome, but it is advised to contact the library archivist first. Donations of documents, photographs, memorabilia, and other items related to the history of Glenville State College and the surrounding area are welcome with the understanding that they may be used for educational purposes.

Robert F. Kidd Library
100 High St.
Glenville, West Virginia 26351
archives@glenville.edu
304-462-6163

Jason Jason Gum
304-462-6163
Jason.Gum@glenville.edu