Special Collections and Archives

Special Collections and Archives is open! We have different hours and procedures to comply with Boise State University’s safety plan in response to COVID-19. See Using the Collections for more information and contact archives@boisestate.edu with any questions.

Founded in 1973, Special Collections and Archives is a resource for university, local, and Idaho history. We welcome anyone from the campus or public communities to view or research our collections.

Share your COVID-19 Experience

We find ourselves living in a historic moment. People of the future will be interested in how we all adjusted to new ways of daily life. The Boise State University Archives wants to collect, share, and preserve your stories about your life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more and contribute

Digital Collections

While the majority of the content is only accessible by visiting us in person, we provide many digital collections available online, including local history and university archives.

Manuscript Collections

We hold nearly 350 manuscript collections of letters, journals, diaries, scrapbooks, photographs, and other primary source materials that document Idaho history, particularly Boise and Southwest Idaho. Research topics include politics, environment, Basque culture, religion, filmmaking, literature, performing arts, art, ethnicity, gender, geosciences, and many others.

University Archives

The University Archives is the repository for university publications and the official records of the President, Faculty Senate, ASBSU, administrative offices, and academic departments. Materials include the student newspaper, university catalogs, budgets, yearbooks, photographs, audio and video, books, posters, and other ephemera. Research topics include faculty, students, campus life, buildings, academic departments, athletics, student organizations, and university departments.

Book Collections

Our book collections span from the 15th through 21st centuries, with the bulk dating from late 19th through the 21st centuries. Topics include the history of bookmaking, contemporary book arts, Basque history and culture, Idaho history, Idaho authors, faculty publications, dime novels, the de Groot and Bittner collections about Ernest Hemingway, and hard-to-find publications on contemporary issues such as wolf reintroduction and ethanol production.