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Archival Materials

The Radford University Libraries has a wide variety of archival materials and special collections for our community to see and experience historical materials. Interested in seeing Radford and Southwest Virginia through the eyes of the people who lived here before us? Explore the McConnell and RUC collections to see more of what we have to offer.

What Are Archives and Special Collections?

The Radford University Libraries preserves important primary source documents so that community members can access them for years to come.

We offer a variety of manuscripts, letters, books, and other valuable materials that help unveil our community history. 

Our physical collections are not available for checking out, but can be visited on-site. 

While not all of our materials are digitized, many of them are available in our digital archives collections.

Archival Collections

Explore the wide variety of manuscripts, recordings, and other historical materials University Libraries has to offer. We’ve highlighted some of the collections in our Radford University Archives and Appalachian Music and Culture blogs.

  • Appalachian Collection

    Our physical and digital collections of Appalachian material document the history and culture of Southwest Virginia, and larger Appalachia.

  • Audio Visual Collections

    Hear and see university and local history. From Appalachian performance, to Conversations with Alumni, and the March for Our Lives movement - our collection has something for every audience.

  • Banjo Masters

    This collection of videos showcases the musicians we feel are true masters of the banjo, an instrument that has intrigued and obsessed players for a few centuries.

  • Radford Veterans Living History Project

    This collection showcases interviews and conversations with veterans who have connections to Radford, VA. Provided in partnership with other local heritage institutions.

  • Radford University Archives

    Contains official records, documents, publications, photographs and other materials related to the history of Radford University.

  • Radford University at Carilion Archives

    The RUC Library houses a collection that documents the forerunners of Radford University at Carilion, spanning from the early 1900s to 2019. Access is by appointment only.

  • Rare Book Collection

    Contains more than 6,000 books, including the core collection originally housed in the library when Radford University first opened as the State Normal and Industrial School at East Radford, Virginia, in 1913.

  • Special Collections

    Additional physical and digital collections housed in the University Libraries collection of manuscript and archival materials.

  • Women’s History March

    Oral history interview of participants in the Women’s March on Washington on January 21, 2017.

Need More Research Support?

We’re here to help you use the archives for whatever your project might entail. Explore our guidance on using the archival collections, schedule an appointment to view RUC archives, or email our archives staff.

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