Our archive maintains the historical records of WestConn* dating back to its founding in 1903 as the Danbury Normal School, and is a significant repository for collections related to local history. Collections include personal papers, local government, and organizational records, visual materials, maps, journals, various media, art, and artifacts. These archival holdings amount to approximately 1800 linear feet.
The Special Collections Library‘s holdings include:- monographs, and audiovisual materials that pertain to the history of Danbury, Connecticut, and the region
- out-of-print or rare spoken word, opera, and other classical music phonograph recordings
- a portion of the original monograph holdings of the Danbury Normal School’s library
- monographs authored/created by WCSU faculty, students, and alumni
- monographs that supplement subjects in our archival collections
- rare/antique books and other objects donated to the Haas Library or Special Collections that are deemed to be: 1) of significant artifactual value; 2) to be unique and essential to support the research needs of the University and the mission of the Archive; and 3) library holdings of significant value to warrant special treatment.
* the institution now known as Western Connecticut State University has been known as: The State Normal School at Danbury, the Danbury Normal School, Danbury State Teachers’ College, Danbury Teachers’ College, Danbury State College, and Western Connecticut State College. WestConn is handy shorthand to encompass every appellation of this institution.
