How to find archival materials
There are various ways to find PTS archival materials. Please see the boxes to the right for specific types of records.
Authorship
This guide was authored by archivist Elizabeth Scott. It is currently maintained by Alyson Pope.
Archival Materials
Institutional records and antecedent seminary records
- Includes faculty minutes, board minutes, faculty committees, student groups, president’s records, records of various offices on campus, etc. that document the history of the Seminary and antecedent seminaries
- Arranged according to record group classification system
- Some records are in the library catalog. (Ex. Keyword search "Western Theological Seminary minutes")
- Some restrictions apply to researchers looking to access records created in last 30 years
- Please contact the the library for further information, reference@pts.edu
Manuscripts/Personal Papers
- PTS has over 250 manuscript collections. Please see the Finding Aids/Collection Guides page for a list of our collections
Artifacts
- Include broadsides, architectural drawings, diplomas, communion tokens, gavels, robes, and seminary seals. Highlights include Karl Barth's desk and eyeglasses
- Please contact the the library for further information, reference@pts.edu
Photographs
- Thousands of photographs depicting buildings, people, and events at both PTS and antecedent seminaries which are arranged topically or by name of person, building, event, etc.
- Please contact the the library for further information, reference@pts.edu
Church History Pamphlet Files
- Pittsburgh-Xenia Seminary, an antecedent seminary to PTS, once held the official records of the Presbyterian church. However, in the late 1960's these records were transferred to the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia
- Remaining records in these files include church histories, church deeds, photographs, pamphlets, and fliers. Files DO NOT contain baptims, marriages, or other official church records. For those, please contact the Presbyterian Historical Society
- A list of church history pamphlet files PTS holds can be found on the Finding Aids/Collection Guides page
Public Services Librarian
Exhibit
