Buildings and Campus Features Collection Finding Aid

Collection Summary

Title: Drew University Buildings and Campus Features Photograph Collection

Date Range: 1880s-1990s (bulk 1950s-1960s)

Extent: Approximately 6-7 file cabinet drawers

Repository: Drew University Archives

Abstract: This collection consists primarily of photographic prints documenting buildings and campus features at Drew University from the 1880s through the 1990s, with the majority of photographs dating from the 1950s-1960s. The collection includes images of academic buildings, residential halls, administrative facilities, athletic facilities, campus landscapes, and architectural features. Some folders are accompanied by documentation files containing maps and textual materials related to specific buildings.

Provenance

The provenance of this collection is largely unknown. Based on identifying marks found on the backs of some photographs, it is presumed that many images were produced by Drew University's public relations office (which has operated under various names throughout the university's history). However, the majority of photographs lack attribution or identifying marks.

Scope and Content

The Drew University Buildings and Campus Features Photograph Collection documents the physical development and appearance of the Drew University campus over more than a century. The collection serves a dual purpose, having been accumulated for both public relations/promotional activities and facilities management needs.

The collection consists primarily of photographic prints, with negatives occasionally present. Slides are maintained separately in the Drew University Slide Collection and are not included in this collection.

Photographs depict exteriors and interiors of campus buildings, construction and renovation projects, architectural details, campus landscapes, aerial views, and various campus features including monuments, gateways, and athletic facilities. Some folders contain documentation materials such as building plans, maps, and textual records that provide additional context for the photographic materials.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged alphabetically by building or campus feature name. Within most folders, materials are not further organized. Notable exceptions include Mead Hall, where photographs are subdivided chronologically and by subject (exterior vs. interior views).

Cross-references are provided throughout the collection to guide researchers to related materials housed under different building names or to account for name changes and functional relationships between buildings.

Access and Use

Access Restrictions: None. The collection is open for research.

Copyright: Copyright has not been a concern for this collection, as most photographs do not identify a photographer or commercial studio. Researchers should conduct their own copyright assessment for any intended publication or reproduction.

Container List

The following folder-level inventory is organized alphabetically by building or campus feature name. 

Compiler: Sharifa Williams
Updated by: Rebecca Rego Barry, Matthew Beland; Container List Compiler: Julia Satola
Finding Aid Draft Prepared: March 2026

Additional Research Resources

GCAH Mission Albums (Education boxes 1, 1.2, and 2) also contain images of Drew faculty homes (now department sites).