Illinois State Archives

Overview

The Illinois State Archives serves as the depository of public records of Illinois state and local governmental agencies possessing permanent administrative, legal, or historical research value. Its collections do not include manuscripts, newspapers, or other nonofficial sources.

History

The Illinois State Archives was established in 1921. Its first director, Margaret Cross Norton, gained an international reputation for her work in the Archives' administration and in the development of professional archival practice in the United States. The Archives building in Springfield was rededicated in Norton's honor in 1995 as the Margaret Cross Norton Building.

Collections, Holdings, and Publications

The Archives preserves and stores more than 75,000 cubic feet of records and artifacts and accommodates more than 30,000 information requests annually. Records are available at the Norton Building and at seven regional depositories located on state university campuses throughout Illinois, part of the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) system.

Access and Usage

The Archives is located in the Margaret Cross Norton Building on the Capitol Complex in Springfield, Illinois, and provides access through in-person, mail, telephone, fax, and internet database reference services.