Researching Guilford College

The Friends Historical Collection houses the archives of the college and many other materials of use to those studying Guilford College and topics relating to its history. The following guide will note both published and unpublished materials relating to the history of the college. This listing should be used as a guide to introduce researchers to some of the major resources held in the collection. It is not intended to be comprehensive. Additional papers and publications that have not been listed here may be useful for specific topics. Please consult the college archivist for further guidance and for assistance in the gaining access to items that are held in the closed stack area.

College Histories

All of these materials and other publications about Guilford College can be accessed through the on-line catalog by searching <s=guilford college>.

  • Gilbert, Dorothy Llyod. Guilford: A Quaker College. Greensboro, NC: Jos. J. Stone and
    Company, 1937 [Quaker] LD 2091 G42 1937
  • Stoesen, Alexander R. Guilford College on the Strength of 150 Years. Greensboro, NC: Board of
    Trustees, Guilford College. 1987 [Quaker] LD 2091 G42 S84 1987
  • Appenzeller, Herb. Pride in the Past. Greensboro, NC: Quaker Club, Guilford College, 1987.
    (History of Guilford College Athletics) [Quaker] GV 691 G42 A6 1987
  • Girls Are of Infinite Importance: Life in Mary Hobbs Hall at Guilford College. Greensboro, NC:
    Fisher-Harrison, 1977. [Quaker] LD 2091 G434 G57 1977

College Publications

Most of the college publications are shelved in the open stack area adjacent to the Friends Historical Collection research room. The majority of published materials relating to the college are under the call number [Quaker] LD 2091 G. Additional copies of many of these are also shelved with the college archives in the closed stacks.

  • The Guilfordian - The student newspaper since 1914, this publication documents campus news, events, and student opinions over the years.
  • The Quaker - The college yearbook from 1909 to present. [Quaker] LD 2091 G45 Q8
  • Guilford College Bulletin - This publication has encompassed a variety of roles over the years, including that of college catalog, alumni directory, and the alumni publication
    [Quaker] LS 2091 G4b A4
  • The Guilford Collegian - Publication of the college's literary societies from 1888 to 1913 (ceased publication with the advent of the Guilfordian in 1914). [Quaker] LH 1 G8 C6

College Archival Sources

The Guilford College Archives hold the records of the institution since its founding as the New Garden Boarding School in 1837. The archives include the minutes of the Board of Trustees, faculty meeting and various faculty committees' minutes, records of individual departments, and minutes and memorabilia from various student organizations. The materials are grouped together according to the college's current organizational structure.

Examples of Important College Records: Board of Trustees Minutes, Faculty Meeting Minutes
Examples of Key Student Organizations: Student Senate, Literary Societies

Manuscript Collections

The Friends Historical Collection also houses the papers of many individuals who were influential members of the Guilford College community, such as former presidents, board members, faculty and alumni. Among their papers are correspondence and other writings documenting events and opinions of concern to the college. A few examples are listed below.

  • MS 223 Mary Mendenhall Hobbs Papers, 1888-1930
    Includes materials pertaining to Mary Hobb's work in establishing the Girls Aid Society and the building of New Garden Hall (now Mary Hobbs Hall) at Guilford.
  • MS 501 Catherine Cox Letters, 1927-1929
    Letters of Catherine Cox (Guilford class of 1930) about her life at college.
  • MS 231 Clyde and Ernestine Milner Collection
    Papers of Clyde and Ernestine Milner. He was Guilford College President from 1934-1965. She taught courses from 1930-1965 and served as Dean of Women from 1931-1945.

Photographs

Photographs reflecting the college history can be found in publications such as the yearbook and the campus newspaper. Unpublished photographs of campus events, students and faculty, and campus buildings are filed in the Guilford College photo files located in the Friends Historical Collection work area.

Some Suggested Topics

  • Coeducation
  • Biography of an Influential Individual (i.e. professors, alumni, etc.)
  • Higher Education
  • History of Campus Features (i.e. Buildings, etc.)
  • Quaker Education
  • History of a Department
  • Southern Colleges
  • Effects of National Events on Campus (i.e. Civil War, GI Bill, 1960's, etc.)