McGill University Archives

Overview

The McGill University Archives is McGill University's official repository of records, providing archives and records management services to the University community as well as reference services to the general public.

History

The Archives was established in 1962 with the appointment of McGill's first University Archivist, Alan Ridge. Storage was first located in the stacks of the Redpath Library, with the Archivist's office in the James Administration Building. In 1971, the Archives moved to consolidated storage, access, and administrative offices in the McLennan Library building, where it remains today, supplemented by two remote storage facilities within a fifteen-minute walk. Subsequent University Archivists have included Marcel Caya (1977-1996) and Johanne Pelletier (1997-2007).

Collections, Holdings, and Publications

The Archives stores over 18,000 boxes of McGill institutional records and holds an extensive collection of private papers and manuscripts, including records of the Faculty of Medicine (1822-1962) and its departments, the fonds of the Rockefeller Foundation for Medical Education and Clinical Medicine, and over 9,000 photographs related to medical history. The Archives publishes the 1985 three-volume "Guide to Archival Resources at McGill University" and its 1985-1995 update.

Access and Usage

The Archives operates from the Rare Books and Special Collections and Archives Reading Room on the 4th floor of the McLennan Library Building, 3459 McTavish Street, Montreal, Quebec. Research requests are answered within 30 business days and archival documents must be consulted on site.