- Manuscript Finding Aid Listing
- NDSU Institutional Repository (Do term searching of manuscript finding aids)
- Recent Manuscript Donations
- Lawrence Welk Collection
- Donating Manuscripts & Personal Papers
- National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections
The manuscript collecting program of the Institute for Regional Studies preserves personal papers and organization records of enduring historic value to support the research needs of undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and other scholars at NDSU and beyond.
The uniqueness and strength of the Institute manuscripts lies in its extensive holdings of more than 1,200 collections. They range in size from a single letter to a more than a 100-box set of business records. These manuscripts document such phenomena as the agricultural development of the state, particularly the bonanza farming era; the everyday life of the early pioneers; the era of the Nonpartisan League; and the women of North Dakota as seen in diaries and their varied organizations. Also documented are the lives and works of North Dakota literary figures, our many ethnic groups and the development of an urban society through City of Fargo and Cass County records.
Research tools
The primary research tools to aid researchers in locating desired materials include the electronic finding aids to individual collections and the NDSU Libraries online catalog. The finding aids are available both in a single alphabetical listing and a broad subject area listing. In addition, a listing of recent manuscript donations and unprocessed collections is also available. To search for manuscript collections located at other archives in the state consult the ODIN online catalog.
Some of the Institute as well as State Historical Society of North and the University of North Dakota archival collections are searchable through the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections. This database is maintained by the Library of Congress and includes archival collections found at institutions across the United States.
Access
The manuscript collections are available for research in the Institute/Archives Research Room, and reference staff is available to assist in your research needs. Copying facilities are also available. A number of collections are kept in off-site storage and are so noted on the alphabetical listing. At least a 24-hour notice is needed to make these collections available for use at the Institute’s main Research Room.
Loaning Manuscript Collections
Through an agreement between the State Historical Society of North Dakota, the University of North Dakota Chester Fritz Library Department of Special Collections and the Institute for Regional Studies & University Archives, manuscript and archival collections may be loaned among the three institutions. Please contact the archival staff for specific information. This loan program does not apply to photograph collections, books or maps.
Consult the State Historical Society of North Dakota and the University of North Dakota web pages for additional information on their manuscript holdings.
Contact Information:
Consult our Contact Us page.