JMU Historical Collection

The JMU Historical Collection consists of material pertaining to JMU-affiliated organizations and individuals in the categories below. However, before you use these collections, make sure you have done some background research on your topic first. Here are two background resources:

• Bibliography of JMU History
• “James Madison University: 1908-1909 to 1958-1959; An Annotated Historical Timeline.”

Primary Sources

• Founding Documents in Special Collections – A selection of digitized documents and images representing JMU’s first decade; records include early commencement programs, Normal Bulletins, Board of Trustees minutes, faculty minutes, yearbooks, student handbooks, student posters, selected correspondence and documents of President Burruss, and an interactive, annotated historical timeline, 1908-1910.
• Vertical Files – This is a great source of ephemeral materials that document various events, programs, or activities. [make page for this and add the content there]
• JMU Memories Exhibit
• JMU Yearbook Collection Online – This collection of yearbooks ranges from 1910 to 2011. The first yearbook, The Schoolma’am, was consecutively published until 1961 when the official name was changed to Bluestone. Also available from JMU Scholarly Commons.

Secondary Sources

• Burruss Endowment Historical Research Grants in JMU Institutional History:
  • Dr. Danielle Torisky, Health Sciences. “History of Dining Services at James Madison University.” View pdf
  • Dr. Richard Roberds, Faculty Emeritus. “History of CISAT.”
  • Ms. Pam Johnson, Theatre & Dance, with Sabrina Claire Chapman ’05. “Highlights of the JMU Historic Clothing Collection, 1908-1958.“
• Publications–Includes university and student publications such as Bluestone, Bulletin, Breeze, Curio, Student Handbook, as well as faculty publications.
• Online Catalogs from 1994/95 to present.