Please contact archivist Phyllis Bratton with questions or to set up an appointment to view materials.
Please note: This guide contains finding aids for materials in the archives rather than digital copies of the materials themselves. Materials must be viewed in person at the University; the finding aids will help you determine relevant collections, boxes, and folders for the information you are seeking.
The University of Jamestown Archives are contained within Raugust Library and are administered by the Archivist under the general supervision of the Library Director. The Library Director reports to the Provost, who is responsible to the President of the University and the University of Jamestown Board of Trustees. The University of Jamestown is a private, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. It includes an undergraduate campus in Jamestown, North Dakota and a graduate school in Fargo, North Dakota, as well as an extensive online schedule of classes and degrees.
The purpose of the University of Jamestown Archives is to collect, document, and preserve the historical records of the University and the local history of the surrounding region of North Dakota, with a particular emphasis upon Stutsman County, for use by members of the academic community, researchers, and scholars.
The archives collects the published and unpublished records of the University of Jamestown, both official and unofficial. These include but are not limited to:
The local history component of the collection recognizes that the University does not and cannot exist divorced from its historical context. It contains materials relating to the history of North Dakota, including:
The University of Jamestown Archives holds materials in the following formats. It is expected that additional digital formats will be included in the future.
The archives will not, in general, accept machine readable files unless the machine to read them on and the appropriate software is included with the files, unless an accessible digital format can be created.
Materials may be acquired by gift, bequest, purchase, or any other transaction that passes title of the materials to the University of Jamestown Archives.
The material will be reviewed by the Archivist and any other appropriate college representative in order to evaluate its appropriateness to the archives. Formal, legal transfer of ownership of the material is necessary before it will be placed into the collection.
Materials which do not fit the formats list above will be accepted if an accessible copy can be created. Materials from non-University sources which must be restricted in their use in order to preserve confidentiality will be accepted upon consultation with the Archivist and appropriate university representatives. Fragile or damaged materials which require expensive restoration may or may not be accepted at the discretion of the Archivist.
Gifts to the archives are absolute and may be sold, traded, loaned, or otherwise disposed of at the sole discretion of the Archivist and other appropriate university representatives.
Materials which fall outside the scope of this policy may be considered for sale, gift, return to donor, or other disposition. This determination will be made in accordance with the instructions on the original gift and by the decision of the Archivist and other appropriate college representatives.
In general, loans will be made only to other campus departments. Other loans will be made by the decision of the Archivist and other appropriate college representatives with stipulations put in place at that time.
Phyllis Ann K. Bratton, Archivist
Revised, November 19, 2021
Revised, March 25, 2024
This policy applies to all University of Jamestown documents in the Archives regardless of format.
The Archives of the University of Jamestown exist to collect, preserve, organize, and make available the vital documents of the University and other materials to members of the campus community. Outside researchers are also welcome to use the archives while working on topics of their own interest.
While the majority of the records may be accessed and used without restrictions, use of confidential files will be allowed only when there is a legitimate need. This restriction includes but is not limited to the following record series :
Researchers may petition to gain access to restricted records by requesting them using the attached form.
University of Jamestown employees may access freely records originating in their office or department for the purpose of furthering their work. A log will be kept.
These records will be processed ONLY by a University Archivist; student workers or interns will not be allowed to work with these documents.
Subpoenas for records will be referred to the University Provost.
Please submit your request one week in advance of the date you wish to access these materials so that the University has adequate time to consider your request.
The Archives of the University of Jamestown received the bound, printed copies of The Jamestown Sun in the fall of 2022 when the newspaper’s offices were vacated. We were delighted to be able to take possession of this wonderful resource for our local and regional history.
This is a large, valuable, and delicate collection, and the space issues for storage and access to the newspapers are very serious. They have been placed into storage at the Legacy Center and can be made available by appointment by contacting the University of Jamestown archivist.
This is a collection in transition, with plans for additional access in the near future.
We appreciate your patience during this transition. In the meantime, please use the microfilm copies at the Alfred Dickey Public Library.
Phyllis Bratton, Archivist
March 25, 2024
This Guide was created by student intern Nathan Cohen-Wallis ('24) in Spring 2024. We are grateful for his assistance in making the UJ Archives more accessible to our campus and local community.
Many thanks also to Nate Scollard, who edited and added to the Guide and brought it to publication in the summer of 2025. The efforts of several years are finally visible!