Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) Historical Archive

Overview

The Archivo Histórico de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (AHUNAM) is the institutional historical archive of Mexico's National Autonomous University (UNAM), one of the largest and most prestigious universities in Latin America. Located on the main campus (Ciudad Universitaria) in Coyoacán, Mexico City, the AHUNAM preserves, organizes, and provides access to the documentary heritage generated by UNAM and donated by individuals and external institutions of national relevance.

History and Founding

The archive's origins trace to 1962, when Rector Ignacio Chávez inaugurated the exhibition La Universidad de ayer y hoy (The University of Yesterday and Today) in celebration of the university's fiftieth anniversary. This documentary exhibition demonstrated the value of systematically collecting and preserving university records. Formally, the AHUNAM was established as an institution in 1964. In 1976, Rector Guillermo Soberón created the Centro de Estudios sobre la Universidad (CESU), which incorporated the AHUNAM as one of its central pillars. The archive was housed in the Unidad Bibliográfica building from 1979 onward, sharing space with the Biblioteca and Hemeroteca Nacionales. In 2006, the CESU became the Instituto de Investigaciones sobre la Universidad y la Educación (IISUE), to which the AHUNAM remains attached. The archive celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2024.

Collections and Holdings

The AHUNAM's holdings encompass 4.5 linear kilometers of documentation organized into 178 fonds and collections: 42 university fonds, 21 university collections, 52 incorporated fonds, and 63 incorporated collections. The oldest document in the collection dates to 1524. Major holdings include:

• Records of UNAM's governing bodies (Board of Regents, University Council), faculties, schools, and administrative units
• University publications such as the Gaceta UNAM, Revista de la Universidad, and the Boletín de la Universidad
• Press summaries sent to university authorities (1964–2012)
• Archives of the student movement of 1968 and student movements of 1966–1971
• Private and organizational fonds donated to the university, including materials on the Cristero War movement used by historian Jean Meyer
• Iconographic collections and photographs

Academic staff include 23 technical specialists in archivistics, reprography, conservation, and restoration, plus 16 administrative workers.

Access and Usage

The AHUNAM is open to researchers and the public at the Unidad Bibliográfica, Ciudad Universitaria. It maintains a general finding guide as its primary reference instrument, as well as specialized programs in organization, description, digitization, conservation, and reprography. The archive also undertakes outreach through publications, exhibitions, and academic activities.

Relevance to Journalism and Media Research

The AHUNAM holds significant resources for media history, including hemerographic collections (university press summaries), archives of university radio and media activities, and documentation of the student press.