Regional and Campus History at Guelph

The Regional and Campus history sections contain items of interest, some with provincial or national significance. For many years, after the Massey Library opened in 1903, the Library has collected information about the founding colleges prior to the formation of the University in 1964: OAC, OVC, the Macdonald Institute, and the Federated colleges. Although the Library houses a significant collection of archival and printed materials relating to the history of the campus, there is no official institutional University archive for the subsequent period after 1964.

These collections are of academic, historic interest and highlight the relationship between "town-and-gown." The development of these institutional collections or fonds owes much to Dr. Margaret Evans, former chair of the History Department, who initiated the organization of archival materials in 1977. She provided the framework upon which the library has developed its historical records for the campus since that time.

Regional and Campus history collections also hold valuable and interesting information on many Guelph graduates and their activities in student groups. OAC records date from 1874 and cover many alumni and student groups. OVC records date from 1862 and include the history of veterinary science as it was practised in Ontario. Macdonald Institute records begin in 1903 and are closely related to the records of Adelaide Hoodless. The OAC, OVC, and Macdonald Institute records do not extend beyond the late-1960s.

This section also holds a variety of regional family, cultural and business papers, e.g. the Guelph Spring Festival collection, Rockwood Academy, Edward Johnson, and other important figures. It provides perspectives on the history of the region that are diverse, ranging from items of national significance to small, personal collections.

All records, fonds, and collections are accessible and can be used in the Wellington County Room, so named because county funds provided the major contribution to the Library's cost of renovating this area for research and reading in 1990.