Collections

 

The corporate deposit and documentary heritage of the NWU comprise about:

 

• 2432 linear meter paper archival material and private collections;
• 426 linear photographs, artworks, poster and other visual material;
• 1952 linear memorabilia and museum items;
• 48 linear meter publications; and
• 18 linear meter private collections

 

Archival collections

 

Primary records date back to the late 1800's and include the following:

 

• Minutes of the Council, the Senate, faculty boards and committees dating back to 1915;
• Administrative records of the NWU;
• Private collections of former staff members and alumni;
• Records of the student council and sub-bodies since 1889;
• Records of the former Potchefstroom Education College, which was incorporated with the NWU in 2001; and
• The Western Transvaal's archives on the history of surrounding towns in the former Western Transvaal.

 

Photograph collections and other media

 

The Archives also house a large photographic collection that includes negatives, positives and digital photographs.

 

Photographs are available on request and can be captured via scanning.

 

Interesting collections are:

 

• The "Piet Fotokuns" collection - photographs taken by the resident campus photographer from 1958 until the late 1990's;
• Campus News photographs;
• Photographs from the residence archival portfolio and donations from several student sub-bodies;
• A wide variety of photographs by professional photographers; and
• Video, film and sound recordings.

 

Donations of image and sound material are always welcome, as they will ensure an all-inclusive depiction of the history of the University for future use.

 

Transfer and donations

 

Records classified as archival records in the NWU file plan and disposal schedule, must be transferred to the University Archive for permanent preservation in accordance with the Records, Archives and Museum Management policy of the NWU.

 

Private donations, including (but not limited to) photographs and memorabilia that have a direct historical connection with the history of the University, and any other image material, will be welcomed.

 

Research

 

Researchers are welcome to use the research facilities of the Archive. To make your research as productive as possible, you can contact the staff in advance regarding your intended visit.

 

All researchers requesting access to archival material are required to sign a confidentiality agreement when requesting such information.

 

Archival portfolio

 

The Archives and the Museum collaborate with the Student Council, sub-bodies and student organisations to ensure that a wide spectrum of student life is being documented.

 

Residences, sub-bodies and student organisations compile archival portfolios that are assessed and received by the Archives annually.

 

Historical Buildings of the NWU

Photo collections

 

The Archives also house a large photographic collection that includes negatives, positives and digital photographs.

 

Photographs are available on request and can be captured via scanning.

 

Interesting collections are:

 

• The "Piet Fotokuns" collection - photographs taken by the resident campus photographer from 1958 until the late 1990's;
• Campus News photographs;
• Photographs from the residence archival portfolio and donations from several student sub-bodies;
• A wide variety of photographs by professional photographers; and
• Video, film and sound recordings.

 

Donations of image and sound material are always welcome, as they will ensure an all-inclusive depiction of the history of the University for future use.

 

Standard Operating Procedures for Archival Processes and announcements

 

Standard Operating procedures are made available to staff members on the intranet to ensure that all archival functions are performed in a standardised manner.