The University Archives’ vast holdings record the history of the University since its founding in 1867. Growing up alongside the cities of Champaign and Urbana, University history is deeply intertwined with local urban history.

University Administration has worked closely with the City to map and plan University grounds, and administrative records reference municipal issues which have affected campus operations. Faculty and students discuss Urbana-Champaign in their correspondence; faculty members and trustees have participated in civic activities and studied their local area through the lens of their scholarship. Student scrapbooks, newspapers, and yearbooks refer to local landmarks and transit, and course assignments have often emphasized local topics.

This history can be found throughout the Archives holdings, though it may not always appear under a neat “Urban History” subject heading. Maintaining an open mind and a sharp eye are critical tools in archival research.

Subject Headings

Suggested Record Series

The Illinois History and Lincoln Collections (IHLC) preserves and provides access to both print and manuscript materials documenting the history of Illinois as well as Abraham Lincoln's life and legacy. The collections document the history of Illinois and its inhabitants from the colonial era and earlier to the present day. Printed volumes include local historical, directories, atlases, contemporary works, and scholarship for a wide range of subjects and time periods. IHLC has several collections related to local urban development, as well as books, maps, and other published works.

Suggested Archival Collections