A common question for archivists is the classic – what’s your favorite thing in the archive? You’d think for an archivist that knows his or her collection well, this would be an easy question to answer, but it never is. It’s not so much like being asked to pick a favorite child, because believe me, I do not love every item in the archives equally and unconditionally – I’m looking at you, Betamax cassettes from the 1980s! It’s more a matter of considering an item’s value to the campus community, value to the wider world, my own personal interest, and a wow factor, all rolled into one.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll feature new favorite things on the blog, so stay tuned to learn about some interesting material from the archives!

This week we’ll start with one that wins a spot on my list because it’s the oldest item in the archive.

Northeastern University Springfield Division catalog, 1921

The Northeastern University Catalog, 1921: Managing a collection of historic documents, it’s easy to default to the oldest item. But there is still plenty of appeal in being able to boast the earliest date. Clocking in at almost 100 years old, the course catalog is an interesting glimpse into what students were studying when the college first opened, and what kind of academic expectations were placed on them. The catalog also contains other fun facts, such as tuition costs, names of graduates, and even recreational activities available to the students, which were apparently great, according to the catalog – “…the YMCA in which the School of Law is located are equipped for almost every type of clear, virile, and wholesome activity.”

Admission requirements from 1921 catalog

Tuition information from 1921 catalog