The University Archives provides access to documents pertaining to the history of St. Catherine University, including its early years as both a high school and college. It includes:

• Documents from administrative offices, academic departments, individual faculty, and student organizations
• Minutes and other documents from the Board of Trustees
• University, student and alumnae publications
• Faculty theses, dissertations, books and compositions
• Published materials about faculty and administrators
• Early registrar records
• Early ledgers and other financial records
• Copies of catalogs and bulletins
• Large collection of photographs reflecting campus life, buildings, personalities, and activities

Supplementing this is a collection of realia of historical interest, some of which are also a tangible record of faculty travel. Realia given or willed to St. Kate's from personal collections are incorporated into the Archives.

Some specific online materials include:

The St. Catherine University Archives and Special Collections collects and preserves University documents and other materials of enduring value, and makes them available for research and institutional use.

Materials in the University Archives serve as the institutional memory of the University, documenting its history. Materials in the Special Collections supplement the Archives, and reflect the University's tradition of women's leadership and Catholic social teaching.

Women's Collections

Social Justice Collections

Rare Book Collections

Sister Jeanne d'Arc Hurley

The Hurley Collection is named as a memorial for Sister Jeanne d'Arc Hurley, CSJ, a former St. Catherine University faculty member. Catherine and Maracella Hurley gave the collection to honor their sister. The collection is comprised primarily of miniature books. It also contains some rare books and books illustrating various styles of printing.

Sister Antonia McHugh

The Sister Antonia McHugh Collection contains works of literary merit which have been autographed. Works of local authors and/or authors connected with St. Kate's are emphasized.

Evelyn Goodrow Mitsch

The Evelyn Goodrow Mitsch Collection is a gift of the Mitsch family through the eldest son, given in memory of their mother. It is a collection of orientalia, including books and scrapbooks on China and Japan, as well as examples of Mrs. Mitsch's work as an artist and brush writer. The collection is housed in two cases, also gifts of the family.

Florence and Alfred Muellerleile

The Florence and Alfred Muellerleile Collection is comprised of books collected by Mr. Muellerleile, a master printer, publisher, and president and owner of North Central Publishing. Included are books on printing and on printers, both old and modern, and a collection of Christmas editions. Also in the collection are rare and precious Bibles and incunabula.

Ruth Sawyer

This is collection of children's books. It includes a nearly complete set of Ruth Sawyer's own writings as well as her correspondence.

Charlotte Hill Slade

When Georgiana Slade Reny gave St. Kate's her mother's collection of rare books, it was decided to name the entire collection after her mother, Charlotte Hill Slade. The Slade Collection contains examples of fine binding, printing, orientalia, first and limited editions, children's horn books, and many older works. Also included are gifts from miscellaneous donors, including art books from Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Niemeyer. A highlight of the Slade collection is a group of one hundred and thirty-five first editions of Anthony Trollope's novels, including eleven signed presentation copies.

St. Kate's Digital Collections

In our Digital Collections you can find:

• Online access to Photographs and other St. Kate's history materials
• Items from the Ade Bethune Collection
• The University's Fine Art and Visual Resources collections
• St. Kate's publications like Ariston, The Wheel, and St. Catherine University Magazine (formerly SCAN)
• Papers of St. Kate's Presidents
• and so much more!

Other Collections

We have contributed to other collections outside of St. Kate's.

Use and access to the Archives and Special Collections is restricted to the University community and those who have a legitimate purpose for using the collections, such as scholarly research. Materials do not circulate or otherwise leave the premises unless permission is given by the Archivist.

Go to our Visiting the Collections page for more information about policies, reproduction of materials, and myser research grants.

University Archives

• University
  • Habitat for Humanity Projects
  • St. Mary's School of Nursing/Junior College
• Presidents
  • Individual Presidents
• Academic Affairs
  • Academic Dean
  • Academic Departments
• Faculty
  • Faculty Governance
• Student Affairs
  • Dean of Students
  • Multicultural and International Programs and Services
• Students
  • Student Organizations
  • Phi Beta Kappa records

Special Collections

Women's Collections

• Ade Bethune Collection
• Anne M. Butler Collection on Catholic Sisters in the American West
• Mary Ellen Chase Papers
• Therese Mueller Papers
• Ruth Sawyer Collection

Social Justice Collections

• Catholic Interracial Council of the Twin Cities Records
• Louise Edwards-Simpson Papers on the Voices of Homelessness Project

The purpose of records management at the University is to ensure that:

• Necessary records are adequately protected and maintained
• Records no longer needed are adequately destroyed at the appropriate time
• The history of the institution is preserved

Records management applies to all records regardless of format, whether in paper, electronic, or other media.

For more information on policies, forms to use, frequently asked questions, and transferring records, visit our Records Management page.