Hours
By appointment only.

Policies, Mission, and Goals
The College Archives and Quaker Collection has a threefold purpose:
a) to house the archives of Wilmington College
b) to develop and maintain a research collection of printed materials on
all aspects of Quaker history, philosophy, thought, and practice
c) to serve as the depository for the official records of the Wilmington
Yearly Meeting and the Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting

Use Policies
Most books may circulate to area residents for three weeks under Watson Library’s policies.  Generally, reference or rare materials, periodicals, and most pre-1900 items do not circulate.
Quaker meeting records, Wilmington College files, and other original documents and materials can be used at the discretion of the Library Director. Some files and materials may be closed.
 
 

The Wilmington College Archives 

The College Archives collects, preserves, and makes available information and materials about Wilmington College’s history, activities, and programs.
Holdings include student newspapers, yearbooks, college catalogs,
and other campus publications, photographs, committee minutes,
departmental office files, and related College memorabilia.
These materials may be used at the discretion of the Library Director.
Some materials may be closed to the public.
 
 

   The Quaker Collection

The Quaker Collection contains approximately 7,000 volumes, ca. 1800-present.  The collection includes bound periodicals, several hundred pamphlets, tracts, and rare books, and a small collection of books for children and young adults.  About 4,000 volumes comprise the circulating collection, covering all aspects of Quaker history, philosophy, thought, and practice.  Most titles may circulate for three weeks.  The Quaker Collection also holds current subscriptions to 40 Quaker periodicals and newsletters and retains the published minutes of various Yearly Meetings throughout the United States. Generally, these items do not circulate.
 
 

Genealogy Policy 

All genealogy inquiries should be directed to:
Clinton County Historical Society
ATTN:  Genealogy Department
149 East Locust Street
P.O. Box 529
Wilmington, OH   45177

Under the terms of a joint operating agreement, the Wilmington College Archives & Quaker Collection and the Clinton County Historical Society share the responsibility for genealogy inquiries. The Historical Society acts as a clearinghouse to assess each question
and provides a response or referral. Wilmington College accepts questions on referral,
and supports the work of the Historical Society's volunteer genealogy researchers.
Paid professional research assistance is also available through the Historical Society.

The joint operating agreement was established
a) to provide better service by cooperating and pooling resources and
b) to allow each institution to better fulfill its own mission and goals.

While the Clinton County Historical Society focuses on regional and family history,
the Wilmington College Archives & Quaker Collection will continue to collect and preserve
college records, books and periodicals on Quakerism, original Quaker meeting records
of the Wilmington Yearly Meeting and the Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting, and manuscripts and photos of Quakers.
For broader Quaker genealogical inquiries, see The Quaker Corner on the internet.

Before making any inquiries, genealogists are urged to consult the following sources:
• Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy by William Wade Hinshaw.
• Abstracts of the Records of the Society of Friends in Indiana by Willard Heiss.
• Monthly Meetings in North America: a Quaker Index, 4th ed., by Thomas C. Hill.

In addition, many Quaker records have been microfilmed and are available
through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) Family History Center.
Consult your telephone directory for the one nearest you.