Archives and Special Collections includes the College’s historical records, papers, and photographs along with Chicago related collections.
Lake Forest College’s Archives are its own non-current, retired, preserved, and administered records, and those of some earlier forms and units of the institution, dating from the 1850s. These records include a variety of formats and media, including photographs, department files, publications (including serials like student newspapers, alumni periodicals, bulletins, handbooks), analog and digital media (including audio tapes, video tapes, DVDs, CDs), art, and realia (artifacts such as letter sweaters, banners, scrapbooks, dance programs). These materials all are generated by the institution or its parts — administration, faculty, and students. Archives collects these materials according to an established records retention plan.
Special Collections includes materials created by individuals, families, and organizations not connected to Lake Forest College. Most collections relate to the greater Chicago area.
The purpose of the Lake Forest College Archives and Special Collections is threefold: to support and strengthen the pursuit of academic excellence by the students at the College, to collect, preserve, and provide access to College permanent records for use in College business and by researchers, and to promote a sense of community.
