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Commencement Collection, 1822-
14 records storage boxes, 1 archives box (14.5 linear ft.)

Abstract:
Commencement programs, news articles, speeches, class week programs and schedules of events, tickets for events held during class week and commencement, poems, student addresses and other items relating to commencements. Arranged chronologically.

Terms of Access and Use:

Restrictions on access:

There is no restriction on access to the Commencement Collection for research use. Particularly fragile items may be restricted for preservation purposes.

Restrictions on use:

Requests for permission to publish material from the papers should be directed to the Archives and Special Collections.

Amherst College Archives and Special Collections

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Commencement Collection, 1822 to date, includes materials such as Amherst College commencement programs, news articles, speeches, class week programs and schedules of events, tickets for events held during class week and commencement, poems and student addresses. The material in this collection dates from the institution's first commencement ceremony in 1822 when it was known as the "Collegiate Charity Institution." Commencement material is added to the collection annually.

Each series is arranged chronologically by commencement year and then by type of material within each year.


Information on Use
Terms of Access and Use
Restrictions on access:

There is no restriction on access to the Commencement Collection for research use. Particularly fragile items may be restricted for preservation purposes.

Restrictions on use:

Requests for permission to publish material from the papers should be directed to the Archives and Special Collections.

Preferred Citation

Please use the following format when citing materials from this collection:

[Identification of item], in Commencement Collection [Box #, Folder #], Amherst College Archives and Special Collections, Amherst College Library

History of the Collection
Accruals:

Additions are made annually to the collection.

Processing Information

This collection is made up of materials from a variety of sources. It has been assembled and organized over the past several years and continues to grow annually.

NOTE: In January 1996, Commencement materials which had formerly been dispersed in other collections were brought to this collection. The arrangement was modified slightly to correspond to the specific components of Commencement and to facilitate the addition of materials formerly dispersed or newly acquired.

The chronological/alphabetical arrangement is retained, except that the Commencement category for each year begins with a "Commencement-General File" for collecting ephemera (e.g. menus, concert programs, isolated correspondence) which cannot be assigned to any of the specific categories, as follows: Baccalaureate; Class Day; Commencement - General File; Commencement Program; News Articles; Publications (officially issued, e.g. 1836).


Additional Information
Contact Information
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Robert Frost Library
PO Box 5000
Amherst, MA 01002-5000

Phone: (413) 542-2299
Fax: (413) 542-2692

Email Reference Form: http://www.amherst.edu/library/archives/askus
URL: http://www.amherst.edu/library/archives

Language
English.