Clark College Archives

The Clark College Archives Collection documents the institution's history, activities, and administrative functions. The materials date from 1927 to 1989, with the bulk spanning from 1942 to 1985. The collection comprises 11 series that reflect institutional departments, several presidential administrations, the development of the college’s two libraries, artifacts, and self-studies. Each series is relatively small, with the largest measuring approximately 5 linear feet. The records are not comprehensive of the institution's full history and operations.

Of particular note are the President’s Papers, Randall Tyus, the Marquis Harris Library, and the Georgia Smith Keeney Library series.

The President’s Papers document the administrations of Matthew S. Davage (1924-1940), James P. Brawley (acting president, 1940-1941; president, 1941-1965), and Elias Blake Jr. (1977-1987). This series primarily consists of correspondence related to fundraising, fiscal affairs, and institutional governance, including communications from the Board of Trustees, external organizations, faculty, and general correspondents. It also includes financial records, printed and published materials, course outlines, and departmental and faculty records.

The Randall Tyus series documents the work of the college’s first full-time Development Program Officer, who also taught courses in Economic History of the United States and Fundamentals of Investing. This series includes teaching materials, documentation of fundraising activities, correspondence, and printed and published materials.

The Marquis Harris Library and Georgia Smith Keeney Library series document the history and operations of the college’s libraries. The Georgia Smith Keeney Library was the institution’s first library and was later renamed the Marquis L. Harris Library in honor of Bishop Marquis L. Harris. The Marquis L. Harris Library series includes committee files, reports, faculty and staff records, library administrative files, financial records, and printed and published materials. The Georgia Smith Keeney Library series consists primarily of administrative files and annual reports, including circulation records, meeting minutes, acquisition files, staff records, library reports, and progress updates.