Access to the Archives reading room is by appointment only and limited to 1 person at a time. Phone or Zoom consultations are preferred. Materials may be scanned and delivered digitally. Contact archives@pacificu.edu for access to the Archives, Museum, or Art collections.

Online Access to Collections

Pacific University holds hundreds of linear feet of archival records, as well as thousands of artifacts and art objects in its collections. Only a fraction of these are on permanent public display, but more than 15,000 items have been digitized. We have also created digital catalog records for nearly all of our holdings.

Online exhibits: thousands of selected images and documents from our collections, including:
Pacific University's Unique Collections Database: includes records describing nearly all the material kept in the Archives, Art and Museum collections.

Highlights

Records of Pacific University and Tualatin Academy from its founding in 1849 to the present, including: original charters and other early records; minutes of the Board of Trustees and other committees; records of the President's Office, the Alumni Relations Office, the Library and the Professional Schools; financial, property and construction records; records of clubs, sports and events; and other material.
Oregon pioneer documents, including two Oregon Trail diaries, sketches, diaries and correspondence, 1840-1860.
Scrapbooks and photograph albums of Forest Grove residents and Pacific University alumni, from the late 19th century to the present.
Papers and memorabilia of Oregon Governor Victor Atiyeh (served 1979-1987)

Nearly all the material in the Archives is open to the public for research purposes. Our Database includes descriptions of nearly all our holdings. To consult or obtain copies of the above items, please contact the Archives at archives@pacificu.edu

Pacific University Publications

A selected list of Pacific University Publications kept in the Archives:

The Index, Pacific University's Student Newspaper. 1892-1995 bound, 1996-present loose.
The Heart of Oak, Pacific University's Yearbook. 1894-1996.
Pacific University Annual Catalogue listing courses, degrees, faculty and student names and other information. 1863-1999. Note: most years of the catalogue are also available online via HathiTrust.
Pacific University People, or PUP, the student directory. Various years 1948-1985.
Student handbooks: various years.
The Pacific Review: various years (student submitted written work and art)
Pacific Magazine and other Pacific University Alumni magazines, various years 1937-present.
Pacific University Alumni Directory, 1983 and 1989.
Pacific University Theses. Permanent copies are kept in the Archives; circulating copies can also be found in the main library collection.

Other Resources

The Archives also house research files on various topics related to Pacific University history, including notable alumni and faculty, buildings, and events. A comprehensive set of press clippings about Pacific University. See guide