Welcome to the Historic Yellow Springs Archives
The Historic Yellow Springs Archives preserves and provides access to documentary evidence of the history of the village of Yellow Springs.
Collections are available for scholarly research, exhibitions, journalism, documentary productions, school programs and other research and educational activities and for those who want to know about people, places, and events in the past.
The collections represent the six record groups that interpret the history here. They include:
- Record Group 1 — Revolutionary War and before (1721 to 1781)
- Record Group 2 — Spa Periods (1782-1861)
- Record Group 3 — Civil War and PA Soldiers' Orphans School (1862-1912)
- Record Group 4 — Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Country School (1916-1952)
- Record Group 5 — Good News Productions (1952-1974)
- Record Group 6 — Historic Yellow Springs (1974-present)
In addition to paper-based textual records, many collections contain photographs, sound recordings, artwork, artifacts such as furnishings, archaeological finds, and limited motion picture films and videotapes. A small reference library is available.
A written finding aid is available for most collections consisting of a scope and content note describing the content of the collection and a container list that details the contents of a collection by box and folder. Collections are currently being entered into the PastPerfect Museum program and will be electronically available when completed.
Yellow Springs Archives acquires its collections by donation, often in conjunction with the acquisition of related artifacts and in collaboration with the archival staff. Documentation projects — including oral and video histories — actively create new research collections. Much research was conducted in the early years of the Historic Yellow Springs organization and new research is added when available. Much of this early research consists of secondary source material. Of course, we continue to collect data on our present history.
To arrange your visit or donate materials, please contact the Archivist Sandy Momyer at archives@yellowsprings.org or (610) 827-7414 x19.
Can staff do your research?
If it does not involve a large expenditure of time for the Archivist, small amounts of photocopying or quick searches through the collections for very specific items can be done within a few weeks of the request. However, for larger jobs, you must come into the Archives or hire an independent researcher.
Archive activities sponsored in part by the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission.