Overview of Davidson College history resources: A list of several kinds of resources for researching Davidson College history.
Digital Collections | Facts and Figures | Online Encyclopedia | Exhibits & blog | Student Essays
Advisory Statement
This site contains materials originally published in yearbooks, newspapers, and other Davidson College publications. You may encounter upsetting racist, oppressive, and outdated representations in these documents. They are included for historical accuracy and do not represent the views of the current Davidson College community, which honors the dignity of all persons and commits itself to a quest for truth and the building of a more just and humane future. The Archives, Special Collections, & Community staff acknowledges the need to provide additional context and continually strives in its work to use terms and representations that reflect the ways communities describe themselves today.
Digital Collections
Search for digital copies of college documents and materials. Some of our digital collections are temporarily unavailable as we transition to a new digital system. If you have any questions, please email archives@davidson.edu.
The Davidsonian, 1914-2016
Quips and Cranks, 1895-2015
Catalogs, 1842-2011
For catalogs after 2011, see this webpage.Semi-Centennial Catalog, 1891
Presbytery Minutes, 1835-1843
College Letters, 1837-1921
Faculty and Staff: from 1837 to the present.
Statistics and Class Events: Events, tuition and enrollment information by academic year.
Awards, Scholarships, and Lectures – Student academic awards, graduate scholarships, and lecturers in named lecture series.
Named Professorships: Descriptions, recipients, and years held.
Honorary Degrees: Names, class years for alumni, dates awarded, and names of honorary degrees awarded by Davidson College.
Alumni Books: Books in the Library Collections with contributions by College Alumni.
Search Archives Collections for College History: Search the institutional records of Davidson College from its establishment in 1837 to the present day. Included within the collection are president’s office records, academic department files, and student organization records.
Encyclopedia: The Davidson Encyclopedia is an online project of the Davidson College Archives. The entries are researched and written by archives staff and by Davidson College students. The initial entries were created by students in the fall of 2003 in Dr. Shireen Campbell’s English 101W; Literacies for the 21st Century course.
Active and Benevolent Ladies: History of women at Davidson College, 1837-2011.
Always Part of the Fabric: Video on the history of African-American contributions to Davidson.
Always Part of the Fabric Supplement: expanded and illustrated timeline.
Around the D: blog exploring history, traditions, and topics of interest.
History of Education: website documenting Teacher Education at Davidson.
NASH Postcards: WWI postcards from the collection of John F. Nash, class of 1911.
College Timeline: highlights of campus history.
Campus Buildings: history and photographs of current and former buildings.
Presidential Portraits: guide to the College presidential portrait gallery.
Poetry Night 2010: hear Davidson students and faculty reading original poems.
Essays on College History:
English 101 – Spring 2003
Chambers Fire
Civil War
Coeducation
Coeducation & Athletics
Integration