About the Archives: Principia-related materials are collected, preserved, and maintained from our active College (Elsah, IL), School (St. Louis, MO) campuses, and original (1898-1959) Principia Park campus on Page Blvd. campus, St. Louis, MO. Some unique archival materials from our local community and outstanding Alumni are also found in the Archives.
Enthusiastic researchers, College and School faculty, staff, students, alumni, local and greater community members are provided access and engagement with Principia's valued historical collections. The Archives holds original documents, papers, media, photographs, correspondences, historical records, and other primary sources as related to Principia.
We pursue opportunities for enriching and educating all generations and strive to connect our institutional roots with the community near and far with access to the evolving present. Archival materials are not represented in a public catalog, however, you are welcome to contact the Archivist with your specific research questions and to schedule appointments to come in to conduct your research.
Visit the Principia Digital Collections website and check often for newly added materials!
Contact: Melody Hauf-Belden, Principia Archivist & Special Collections Librarian
email: archivist@principia.edu
Location: The Principia Archives office is located on the first floor and at the end of the central stacks of the Marshall Brooks Library on the Principia College campus, Elsah, Illinois.
Hours: Monday-Friday: 10am-4pm during the College semester. Please schedule office visits in advance.
Breaks will have variable access scheduling, corresponding with the Principia College Marshall Brooks Library. The Library website lists current hours for building access.
You are invited to Ask a Question and make an Archives Appointment to conduct your own research.
Citation Source: Principia Archives, Principia College, Elsah, IL
Caption: Courtesy of the Principia Archives
Archive Materials: Minimum appropriate recognition by caption must include the source (Courtesy of the Principia Archives) and appear in close proximity with all materials used from the Archives and Special Collections. (End credit lines are appropriate for films/movies). The citation must accompany the use of all Archives materials (photographs, media, letters, reports, catalogs, programs, media, etc.), whether for personal display, classroom projects or with official "Permissions for Use" for Publications - websites, blogs, social media, printed, etc.
Photograph Captions / Citations - use your style guide:
Principia College Women's Fencing Team, 1957.
Courtesy of the Principia Archives.
You must have Permission to use photographs and unpublished materials (letters, reports, catalogs, programs etc.) from the Archives, whether for personal display, classroom projects, or with a confirmed "Permission for Use" for authorized Publications - websites, blogs, social media, printed, etc.
Start by discussing your project with the Archivist. This ensures that copyright and conditional considerations are addressed prior to use.
Duplication/Scanning: We want you to have the best version and highest scanned resolution available for your project. Please discuss your duplication/copy/scanning needs with the Archivist before using Principia Archives materials.