Library Catalogue, SCCA Collections (Coming Soon!)
Online Archive of California, Occidental College
ACRL Framework, Primary Source Literacy
* Denotes collection containing restricted materials. Restricted materials will be removed or redacted prior to granting access.
Welcome to the Occidental College Special Collections and College Archives, Oxy’s gateway to a wealth of rare and unique materials that offer unparalleled opportunities for research and hands-on learning!
Our collections span a diverse range of topics, including institutional history, literature, science, the arts, politics, social sciences, law, history, and regional studies. Whether you are interested in exploring Northeast LA’s impact on the history of print and print cultures, delving into pivotal moments in political history, or examining original manuscripts and rare books, SCCA provides an invaluable resource to enrich your teaching and scholarship.
The collections in Oxy’s Special Collections and College Archives align seamlessly with the Oxy Promise, which emphasizes academic excellence, immersive learning, and community engagement. By integrating our unique materials into your courses, you can offer students a hands-on experience with primary sources that fosters critical thinking, research skills, and a deeper connection to the world around them. These opportunities enrich the academic experience and support the broader goals of equity, inclusion, and sustainability central to the Oxy Promise.
Our collections offer the opportunity to highlight Oxy’s commitment to forging unique and mutually beneficial relationships with the City of Los Angeles. Many of our collections offer first hand accounts of the rich cultural, social, and political history of Los Angeles, fostering a deeper understanding of the city's role in broader historical contexts and aligning with Oxy’s mission to integrate academic excellence with real-world impact, emphasizing community engagement and experiential learning.
By handling and interpreting original documents, rare books, and unique artifacts, students are able to apply the research methods and critical analytics skill sets in a way that fosters individualized output and the opportunity to apply their own unique perspective to the constructed and contextual nature of information to research.
Hands-on, experiential instruction with SCCA enhances student’s academic experience and provides a dynamic and immersive way to explore course content.
We invite you to bring your classes to Special Collections and College Archives for tailored instruction sessions. Our experienced staff will collaborate with you to design sessions that align with your course objectives, offering students the opportunity to handle and study original materials relevant to your syllabus, bringing the subject matter to life.
While we work to develop detailed, online finding aids for our diverse holdings, here is a list of our collections with brief descriptions and subject tags. This is not a fully comprehensive list and most collections can illustrate far more subjects than the ones tagged.
Our LibGuide is organized to provide a high-level overview of our collections, with brief descriptions of each collection and suggestions for how they might be utilized in your teaching. We encourage you to schedule a visit to SCCA to further explore materials of interest and consider how they can enhance your courses. Please don't hesitate to contact us at specialcollections@oxy.edu.
The General Topics collections offer a diverse array of materials that span multiple disciplines, providing a broad foundation for interdisciplinary study. These collections include rare imprints, illuminated manuscripts, and miniature books, as well as materials that document the history of books and printing. These resources allow students and researchers to explore the material culture of knowledge production, the evolution of literary forms, and the craftsmanship of bookmaking, offering a unique perspective on the history of information dissemination and preservation.
A collection of rare and unique items across various subjects, including first editions, limited printings, and items of historical significance.(Rare Books, Collectibles)
Handwritten books and manuscripts with ornate, hand-decorated text, often featuring gold leaf and vibrant colors, often from religious texts. (Manuscripts, Medieval Art)
Ancient writing tablets, offering insights into early forms of communication and record-keeping. (Ancient Texts, Archaeology)
Books and prints produced by fine press publishers, emphasizing artistic printing techniques. (Printing, Publishing)
Materials related to the evolution of printing and book production. (Books, Printing History)
Rare books and early printed materials showcasing early printing and publishing practices. (Books, History)
A collection of printed works from the 18th and early 19th centuries, offering insights into early American and European publishing. (Books, History)
Established in 1887, Occidental College has been deeply intertwined with the growth and evolution of the surrounding community. The college’s presence in the Eagle Rock neighborhood helped shape the identity of Northeast Los Angeles, fostering cultural, social, and economic development in the area. By engaging with local history through our Special Collections, students can explore the symbiotic relationship between the college and the city, enriching their understanding of both institutional and regional history. This historical tapestry offers invaluable insights for understanding both the college's impact on regional history and its ongoing relationship with the city of Los Angeles.
Documents and materials chronicling the history, development, and activities of Occidental College from its founding to the present.
Administrative records detailing the governance, academic programs, and institutional changes at Occidental College.
A collection of digital and physical records preserving the academic output and institutional history of Occidental College.
The Literature and the Arts collections at Occidental College encompass a rich variety of materials that explore the creative expression of authors, artists, and cultural movements. The collections also include rare books, fine press printing, and unique ephemera, providing students and researchers with a tactile connection to the history of artistic production and the printed word.
Featuring rare editions of works by Byron, Keats, Shelley and others in their circle, as well as works that influenced the movement. (English Literature; Romanticism)
One of the largest collections in the genre, in the world; besides books in first editions, includes periodicals, manuscripts, screenplays, ephemera and artifacts. (Literature, Detective Fiction, Gothic Fiction, True Crime, Thrillers)
Works by and about the American poet Robinson Jeffers, Oxy Class of 1905. Includes manuscripts, correspondence, and photographs. (Poetry, Drama, Archival Materials)
A variety of literary works from several countries that did not come from the main donors above.
A set of original manuscripts. (Music, Classical music)
Original manuscripts and musical compositions by Franz Liszt, offering insights into the work of the famous composer. (Music, Classical music)
Documents, scores, and memorabilia related to the career of American singer and actor Nelson Eddy. Includes his personal collection of popular music scores from around the world. (Music, Opera, Popular Music, Musical Movies)
Scripts and recordings of dramatic radio broadcasts, reflecting the golden age of radio entertainment collected by Charles F. Lindsley. (Radio, Drama)
Personal papers and research materials of Robert Winter, a historian and architectural critic with a focus on Southern California. (Architecture, Oxy History, Los Angeles History)
A collection of photographs and visual materials documenting the architectural and cultural history of Southern California. (Architecture, Oxy History, Los Angeles History)
Includes a variety of works, mostly donated to the College. Oil and acrylic paintings, prints, posters.
Includes prints, glass slides, photographs, personal materials, and books, from the Pasadena artist.
Prints from the 18th-20th century, including names like Hiroshigue, Hokusai, Utamaru.
Contains nearly 10,000 stereographs with images providing a three-dimensional view of various scenes and subjects from around the world.
Photographic negatives documenting various aspects of life and events in Los Angeles, particularly the Northeast Area and Oxy, from a father/son team of photojournalists. Several negatives have been digitized. (Photography, Northeast Los Angeles)
Prints, scrolls, and artifacts from China, collected by W. B. Pettus, reflecting Chinese artistic traditions. (Art, Chinese Art, Asian Art)
Contain books that pertain to the history of photography, printing, painting, music. (Art)
(Art, Politics)
Miniature Books Collection
A collection of small, often intricately designed, books that are collectible and reflect the history of publishing in miniature form.
Books and ephemera from the influential Plantin Press, a Los Angeles fine press run by Saul and Lillian Marks, known for its high-quality printing and design. (Printing, Publishing, Typography, Graphic Design)
Personal papers and literary materials of Lawrence Clark Powell, Oxy Class of 1928, librarian, author, and bibliophile. Contains correspondence with his best friend Ward Ritchie, printer William Everson. (Bibliography, Literature, Fine Printing, Oxy)
Personal papers and ephemera related to Gloria Stuart, actress and artist, best known for her role in the film Titanic but also a fine bookmaker, printer, with strong connections to Oxy. She learned letterpress printing with Ward Ritchie. (Art, Film, Ephemera)
A collection of papers related to Jacob Zeitlin, an influential bookseller and bibliophile, compiled by Edelstein. (Publishing, Bibliography, Bookselling, Literature)
Includes books, ephemera, and archival materials from the Ward Ritchie Press, known for its influential contribution to Southern California publishing. Topics cover a wide range, but California history and cookbooks are two highlights. Ritchie, Oxy Class of 1928, also created fine handmade books, and the collection also includes his correspondence with author and UCLA University Librarian, Lawrence Clark Powell, also Oxy Class of 1928. (Printing, Publishing, Book Design, Cookbooks, California History)
The Politics, Social Sciences, and Law collections at Occidental College provide a comprehensive resource for studying the historical and contemporary issues that have shaped society. These collections include political papers, materials on social movements, and documents related to legal history, such as the Crawford v. LAUSD case. Through primary sources, students can explore the complexities of governance, civil rights, and public policy, gaining a deeper understanding of the forces that influence social change and legal frameworks.
The Americana and Regional Studies collections at Occidental College focus on the rich history and culture of California and the American West. These collections highlight the diverse narratives that have shaped the region, from early pioneer life and Western expansion to modern developments in Californian identity. By examining documents, photographs, and rare books, students can trace the evolution of the West, exploring themes of migration, settlement, and the environment that continue to influence the region today.
Rare books, including many first-person narratives, focusing on the history, culture, and expansion of the American West. (Western Americana)
A collection focusing on the history, culture, and development of California, including rare books, and periodicals (California History)
Documents, photographs, and personal accounts related to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. (World War II, Japanese Americans)
Materials related to the history of railroads in America, focusing on the West, including books, maps, timetables, ephemera. (Railroads, Transportation, US West History)
Legal documents and case files related to Crawford v. LAUSD and Pasadena Board of Education cases, which dealt with desegregation in schools. (Civil Rights, Education Law)
Menus and related ephemera from the Wine and Food Society, reflecting culinary history and dining trends, mostly designed and printed by Ward Ritchie, Oxy Class of 1928 - see entry about his collection. (Culinary History, Los Angeles History, Menus, Typography)
The daily journal entries of Charles Fletcher Lummis, an important figure in the preservation of Southwestern culture and history. (Southwest U.S. History, Cultural History)
A collection of research materials and documents focused on the study of minority groups and issues of social justice. (Sociology, Ethnic Studies)
A vast collection of materials about Lincoln; it includes a section of titles that he probably had in his library. Also contains materials about other presidents, and a fascinating collection of political campaign memorabilia, starting in 1848 (Abraham Lincoln, Civil War, Abolitionism, Politics)
Documents and correspondence of American politician, lawyer, and orator, William Jennings Bryan, a prominent American politician and orator known for his roles in the Scopes Trial and multiple presidential campaigns. his son, William Jennings Byan Jr., wife Mary Bryan, and others. (Politics, History, Women’s Suffrage)
Collections focused on the life and work of sportswriter Bill Henry, Class of 1914 and for whom the Oxy athletic track is named, including materials related to the history of the Olympic Games; Henry was instrumental in bringing the Olympics to LA in 1932 (Los Angeles History, Sports, Social Sciences)
Papers and publications of Upton Sinclair, the American writer and political activist who ran for California governor, and known for his works on social reform. Includes periodicals and newspaper clippings. (Literature, Politics)
The personal papers of Elizabeth Pickett Chevalier, pioneer woman in the film industry, later Oxy trustee and donor who endowed the DWA Department at Oxy. Includes manuscripts, documents, photographs, correspondence, Civil War research materials (she was a descendent of General Pickett) and literary works. (Literature, Archival material, Civil War)
Occidental College’s History and Culture collections offer an expansive view of global and regional histories through a wide array of primary sources. These materials span significant periods, from the social and political dynamics of Latin America and Mexico to the propaganda efforts of World War II. Students can explore topics such as colonialism, cultural identity, and the power of media, all through the lens of original documents, rare manuscripts, and personal papers that provide a firsthand perspective on the past.
Books and periodicals related to Latin American history, with a focus on social, political, and economic developments. Cleland was an Oxy Alumnus, and Dean of the College in _____ (Latin American Studies, History)
Research materials and historical documents concerning Mexico, particularly its social and economic history. (Mexican Studies, Latin American Studies, History)
Personal papers of Bessie Beatty, Oxy Class of ____, a noted journalist, author, and political activist who covered the 1917 Russian Revolution and other 20th-century social and political movements. Includes photographs. (Journalism, Social Movements)
A collection of autographs (from letters to only signatures) from notable historical figures such a signers of the US Declaration of Independence, US First Ladies, European royalty, major American and English authors (Autographs, Literary Figures, Political Figures)
A collection of personal and family papers documenting the lives and contributions of Robert Freeman, Fulton Freeman, Margery Freeman, Ruth (Freeman) Benedict, and other members of the Freeman family in American history, and Occidental College. (Personal Papers, Family History, Oxy)
A collection of propaganda materials, public information releases, and media related to World War II, from different countries. (World War II, Propaganda)
Papers and materials related to Arthur Young, focusing on his work in science, philosophy, and the study of consciousness. (Art, Literature)
A collection of periodicals and magazines providing insight into past cultural and social trends. Includes publications such as Scientific American, and The Spectator (Periodicals, History)
A collection of personal papers and memorabilia belonging to Stuart Chevalier, reflecting his life and career. (Literature)
Historical documents and papers related to Osgood Hardy, with a focus on Californian and Western American history.
Documents and materials from the Pacific Coast Labor School, an educational institution focused on labor studies and social justice.