Special Collections
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Collections
Beinecke Lesser Antilles
The preeminent collection of materials on the Lesser Antilles during the colonial period features hundreds of documents, correspondence, plantation reports, images, and maps.
Communal Societies
An expansive collection of published and manuscript materials relating to American communal societies from the 18th through the late-20th century.
Ezra Pound
A comprehensive collection of works by and about Ezra Pound, Hamilton class of 1905, including first editions of all but one of Pound’s works.
Hamilton College Archives
The College Archives documents the history of our college community from the founding of the Hamilton-Oneida Academy in 1793 to the present.
Jazz Archive
A collection of more than 300 videotaped interviews with mainstream and swing era jazz musicians, arrangers, writers and critics.
Other Notable Collections
Research
We welcome the opportunity to work with faculty interested in integrating the collections into their courses. Options range from hands-on, single-class sessions that provide students opportunities to interact with rare materials to semester-long research projects that allow students to explore the collection in greater depth. Contact Christian Goodwillie (315-859-4447 or cgoodwil@hamilton.edu) to discuss your interest.
The Walter A. Brumm Special Collections Research Fellowships offer eligible scholars up to $1500.00 for one month’s study can be used to support research in any of Hamilton College's Special Collections and Archives. More information.
The Special Collections Faculty Fellowship is designed to enable faculty to explore the Burke Library’s Special Collections and Archives with the goal of integrating the use of Special Collections materials into one or more of their courses. See the Dean of Faculty's Course Development Awards page for more information.
Special Collections is generally open on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. However, staff commitments may at times require us to close our reading room to the public during those hours. Please confirm staff availability before planning a visit by contacting Christian Goodwillie at cgoodwil@hamilton.edu or Willa Jacob at wjacob@hamilton.edu.
Publications
The Richard W. Couper Press publishes scholarship on communal studies and other topics that highlight the rich holdings of the Hamilton College Library's Special Collections and Archives. The press publishes a quarterly journal and three monograph series (listed below).
American Communal Societies Quarterly features scholarly articles focusing on those American communities that have intentionally separated themselves from society in general and live according to a shared set of principles, whether religious or secular, in common ownership of property.
The American Communal Societies Series publishes books presenting new scholarship pertaining to American intentional communities as well as reprints of, and critical introductions to, important historical works that may be difficult to find or out of print.
Shaker Studies publishes monographs focused on the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, a religious community with English origins that first established itself in Watervliet, New York, in 1774. The Shakers created about twenty villages between Maine and Indiana during the 19th century and became known for their dance-like rituals, fine agricultural products, and the simple but exacting craftsmanship of their buildings and furniture.
Occasional Publications features topics highlighting the collection of the Hamilton College Library Special Collections and Archives.
Couper Press
The Richard W. Couper Press publishes scholarship on communal studies and other topics that highlight the rich holdings of the Hamilton College Library's Special Collections and Archives.
Contact
Christian Goodwillie
Director and Curator of Special Collections and Archives
