Archival and Manuscript Holdings in the MIT Institute Archives and Special Collections

Abstract

This article is a topical description of the artchival and manuscript holdings at the Archives of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Archives serves as a "memory" for MIT by collecting and preserving records which document the Institute's history, and the people who have been a part of that history. The collections reflect the strenghts of the research and educational programs of the Institute and therefore emphasize the history of contemporary science and technology, and its impact upon society. The archival records document the growth of the disciplines, the development of academic and research policies, and the interaction of the Institute with outside agencies and government bodies. The manuscript collections are mostly papers of MIT alumni, faculty, and staff, that document their activities at MIT, and their participation in government, industry, and professional organizations.