Special Collections and Manuscripts

Nestable Collection Public

Gordon Library's Archives & Special Collections (ASC) actively collects, preserves, and makes available university records, historical and cultural collections, artwork, and objects of enduring value. Archives & Special Collections provides services to the WPI community, scholarly researchers, and the broader public.

Archives & Special Collections is open to the public regardless of institutional affiliation. In addition to providing research and curriculum support for WPI students, faculty, and outside researchers, Archives & Special Collections also provides assistance to University administration to insure the preservation of records of permanent historical value. Outreach events such as Homecoming and Alumni Weekend are enriched by “pop-up” exhibits curated by Archives & Special Collections staff.

Manuscript holdings include the collections of eminent professors and alumni whose developments changed the world, such as “Father of Modern Rocketry” Robert H. Goddard'08, noted John Deere engineer and designer Theo Brown'01, and NASA engineer Richard Whitcomb'43. Collections related to the WPI curriculum include collections relating to Fire Protection Engineering (FPE) including the Duane Pearsall papers (developer of the home smoke detector), and Howard W. Emmons papers (Harvard professor and “Father of Modern Fire Safety”).

Access to collections may be restricted due to institutional mandates or condition.

Subcollections (3)

Link to this page: https://digital.wpi.edu/collections/special_collection