The University Archives is located on the lower level of Grasselli Library & Breen Learning Center.
Requests and inquiries are received Monday through Friday during normal business hours.
Though the University Archives was not established formally until 1980, James A. Mackin, S.J., Director of Grasselli Library (1946-1977), collected a number of materials and created about five record groups which housed much of the historical information of the University. During the 1970’s, Librarian Marci Milota collected photographs and news releases from the Office of Public Affairs and kept these as part of the University’s historical development, also. Since 1980, the Archives has been collecting records and historical documents from all of the major administrative units and some of the academic departments of the University.
- With more than 40 administrative, academic, and historical record groups,
nearly 3000 Acid Free storage boxes currently fill the storage facility of this
department. These records include administrative and historical information relevant
to the development and continuation of the University. The records have been organized
into groups according to their office of origin.
- Many materials regarding the founding Jesuits of John Carroll University have been maintained, as well as materials relating to the entire construction process of the current campus location in University Heights, Ohio. These records also include the papers of Fr. Frederick Odenbach, S.J., who established John Carroll’s Seismology Observatory.
- Many publications of the University, faculty, and students are housed in the Archives, also. These include yearbooks, Carroll News copies, brochures, catalogues, athletic programs, and various other published materials.
- An extensive photographic collection consisting of photos of past and current Jesuits, buildings on campus, faculty, and student life are maintained. Currently, a pictorial history of some key people and events which helped create John Carroll University as we know it today can be found on a national Jesuit archival site, hosted by Loyola, Notre Dame of Maryland. JCU’s contribution to this site can be reviewed by clicking on the link below.
- Many materials regarding the founding Jesuits of John Carroll University have been maintained, as well as materials relating to the entire construction process of the current campus location in University Heights, Ohio. These records also include the papers of Fr. Frederick Odenbach, S.J., who established John Carroll’s Seismology Observatory.
Our historical collections include papers of Fr. Frederick Odenbach, S.J., who established John Carroll's Seismology Observatory, and who was instrumental in exposing corruption in the United States Weather Bureau during the administration of President Wilson.
The Archives are generally available to members of the university community as well as researchers outside the University with permission of the University Archivist or Curator of Special Collections.
