Davidson College Catalogs and Handbooks, 1855-1966, 1980-1982

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MS-2021-027

Staff Only

Content Description

This collection contains college catalogs and student handbooks from Davidson College, a private liberal arts college located in Davidson, North Carolina. The college catalogs include information for students on topics such as: degree requirements, faculty members, courses of instruction, tuition, room and board, and other information on campus life. Early catalogs, beginning in 1855, totaled fewer than twenty-five pages in length but grew longer as the years progressed. Most academic years between 1860 and 1938 are represented in the collection, with a notable gap between 1861 and 1867 – the years during and immediately following the American Civil War. The Wildcat handbooks are a “pocket” style format, containing similar information for students regarding the honor code, student activities, fraternities, government, athletics, and other miscellaneous topics. The academic years represented within the series are between 1926 and 1966. There are also two issues of the Davidson College Bulletin, from 1902 and 1903 respectively, that contain reports on campus activities, including: information on new buildings, campus photographs, and other news.

The collection is arranged in two series:

Series I: College Catalogs, 1855-1938, 1980-1982 Series II: Wildcat Handbooks, 1926-1966

Dates

1855 - 1966
1980 - 1982

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to the public without restriction. The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to duplicate or publish material from this collection must be obtained from the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Extent

1.22 Cubic Feet

1.43 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Davidson College Catalogs and Handbooks collection contains college catalogs for thirty-five academic years between 1855 and 1982. Bulk dates are between 1860 and 1938, with a notable gap during and immediately following the Civil War. There are seventeen Wildcat student handbooks for academic years between 1928 and 1966. Catalogs and handbooks contain overlapping information on topics such as: faculty, courses of instruction, degree programs, tuition, and the honor code.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in two series:

Series 1: College Catalogs, 1855-1938, 1980-1982

Series 2: Wildcat Handbooks, 1926-1966

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The immediate source and date of acquisition for this collection is unknown.

Condition Description

Materials are in fair condition. Early catalogs with stapled binding are quite fragile and should be handled with care. Catalogs in boxes 2 and 3 have received a cursory cleaning, but are somewhat dirty. Davidson College Bulletin (box 1, folder 13) contains staples rusted in binding.