Manuscript Collections

Our manuscript collections consist of original and unique primary source materials reflecting the experiences of individuals, families, and organizations in a wide array of subject areas. These collections consist of a variety of formats, including documents, audiovisual recordings, digital files, photographs, websites, and ephemera.

Traditionally, our collecting was reflective of the narrow gender, race, and class demographics of the Yale community at the time. As the communities we serve and their interests have evolved, so have our collecting scope and priorities. Our collecting is now informed by Yale’s broad teaching and research needs and a commitment to preserve a diverse and representative historical record. We acknowledge that the perspectives of historically marginalized communities are underrepresented in our collections, and we are actively working to repair this imbalance.

Our subject area strengths include:

  •     Yale University
  •     Connecticut and New Haven  
  •     American diplomacy, public policy, and politics 
  •     Medicine and health policy
  •     Architecture and city planning 
  •     Environmental activism 
  •     Legal and judicial history 
  •     LGBTQ history and activism 
  •     The Holocaust

For questions concerning donating manuscript materials appropriate for our holdings, please contact beinecke.library@yale.edu

Last modified: 
Wednesday, July 5, 2023 - 10:16am