University Museum Files, 1956-2020

Collection number: UA 9/3/5 [Offsite storage]
Size: (8 boxes) (7.5 cu.ft.)

About the University Museum (1966-2020)

The University of New Hampshire Museum was opened in 1966 in the Field House. It showcased UNH history and achievements as well as artifacts from UNH founders such as Benjamin Thompson. It was later moved to Thompson Hall (1987) and lastly to Dimond Library (1998). Beginning in the early 1990s, two exhibits per year explored aspects of UNH history and influence in the wider world. The Museum closed in 2020 and its collection was transferred to the UNH Archives.

About the University Museum Files (1956-2020)

The University Museum Files contain the Museum's collection polices, history, correspondence and minutes, acquisition files, and exhibit files.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

This collection is open.

This collection is housed in the Library Storage Building; access requires 48 hours notice. Please contact the Special Collections staff prior to visiting the library.

Copyright Notice

Contents of this collection are governed by U.S. copyright law. For questions about publication or reproduction rights, contact Special Collections staff.

Copyright is retained by the University of New Hampshire.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], [Box number], University Museum Files, 1956-2020, UA 9/3/5, Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, NH, USA.

Acquisitions Information

Transferred to the University Archives, 2020.

Collection Arrangement

  • Arrangement is in three series: Series 1: Organziational Files, Series 2: Acqusition Files, and Series 3: Exhibit Files. Materials are placed in chronological order.

Collection Contents

Series 1: Museum Organizational Files, 1956-2020

(ca. 1 cu. ft.)

This series contains the history of the University Museum, Collections Committee and Exhibits Committee minutes, correspondence, and appraisals.

Box 1
Box 1, Folder 1-8Museum history, policies, moves, appraisals, 1956-1993
Box 1, Folder 9-19Museum Committee minutes, 1956-1993
Box 1, Folder 20-47Collections Committee and Acquisition Committee Minutes, 1990-2020
Box 1, Folder 48-56Correspondence, 1960-1994
Box 2
Box 2, Folder 1Correspondence, 1995-2020
Box 2, Folder 2Promised Gifts, undated
Box 2, Folder 3-6Promised Gifts, 1992 onwards

Series 2: Item Acquisition Files, 1979-2018

(ca. 3 cu. ft.)

This series contains files of information about the donors, acquisition, and in some cases deaccession, for each item acquired by the University Museum. There are no records between 1979 and 1991.

Box 2
Box 2, Folder 7-50Deaccessioned items, undated
Box 2, Folder 51-73Missing items, undated
Box 2, Folder 74-100Item Acquisition Files, 1979-1991 and undated
Box 3
Box 3, Folder 1-ca. 100Item Acquisition Files, 1993-2000
Box 4
Box 4, Folder 1-ca. 100Item Acquisition Files, 2001-2018

Series 3: Exhibit Files, 1990-2020

(4 cu. ft.)

This series contains files related to the twice-yearly exhibits curated by University Museum staff. Included are photographs, correspondence, research, planning documents, etc.

Box 5
Box 5, Folder 1-ca. 100Exhibits, 1990-2005
Box 6
Box 6, Folder 1-ca. 100Exhibits, 2006-2012
Box 7
Box 7, Folder 1-ca. 100Exhibits, 2013-2017
Box 8
Box 8, Folder 1-ca. 100Exhibits, 2018-2020 and undated