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PTS Archives: Archival Materials

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
Manuscripts/Personal Papers
Artifacts
  •  Include broadsides, architectural drawings, diplomas, communion tokens, gavels, robes, and seminary seals. Highlights include Karl Barth's desk and eyeglasses
 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.
 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

Public Services Librarian

Profile Photo
Mark Russell
Contact:
Barbour Library
PTS
616 N. Highland Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 924-1393

Exhibit

Memorial Hall - Western Seminary