University Archives

The University Archives are responsible for collecting, preserving, organizing, and describing the official records of the University. This collection includes artifacts, audio/visual materials, books, documents, photographs, and other papers of enduring administrative, legal, fiscal and historical value. Records that contain information regarding the University's origin, purpose, development and those of the University's officers, faculty and students are also collected here. The Archives seeks to add to its resources with selected personal papers of administrators, faculty and alumni.

The Archives are open to researchers the following hours:

Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday: Noon - 5 pm
Tuesday: 6:30 pm - 11:30 pm

Hours may vary during summer and semester breaks. Access at other times may be arranged by the Archivist. For more information contact: University Archivist Melvin Doering, (219)464-5482 or e-mail: Mel.Doering@valpo.edu

Family History & Genealogy Research in the University Archives

All of the following sets of records are incomplete, but still may be useful to family historians researching former Valpo students:

To use these records on site, please call (219)464-5482 or email the University Archivist, Mel Doering, Mel.Doering@valpo.edu, to make an appointment to visit during scheduled visiting hours. On-site charges for photocopies are 10 cents/page.

If you are unable to visit, please send your family history research request to Mr. Doering, along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope and a $5.00 non-refundable check to cover the research fee. You will be billed 10 cents/page for copies of records with a minimum billing charge of $1.00. Please allow sixty (60) working days for a response. The mailing address is:

Mel Doering, University Archivist
Christopher Center Library and Information Resources
1410 Chapel Drive
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso,  IN  46383

Christopher Center Library Services has many resources to support the family historian's quest for historical, ethnic and geographical information. Although we do not collect genealogical materials (family histories, tombstone transcriptions, compilations of vital records) as a primary focus of our collection, some of our resources will support genealogists in their quest for family data. A pathfinder has been compiled to help Valpo students and staff who wish to begin their genealogical and family history quest, and for members of the northwest Indiana community who may find our collection useful: http://www.valpo.edu/library/user/genealogy.html

Presidents' Inaugural Addresses

To celebrate Valparaiso University's 75 years as a Lutheran university, we have gathered together the inaugural addresses of the six individuals who have been its presidents since 1925. For address texts and pictures of the presidents, go to http://www.valpo.edu/library/archives/presidents/index.html.

The Wienhorst Collection

This is a collection of indexes and a catalog of Richard Wienhorst's compositions (most of which are available for viewing at the Christopher Center). The collection also includes biographical information and publisher information: http://www.valpo.edu/library/wienhorst/index.html

Moellering Library

In honor of forty-five years as an integral part of Valparaiso University, this site includes pictures and history of the old Moellering Library building. In addition, information about pre-Moellering VU libraries is included. To view, go to http://www.valpo.edu/library/archives/moellering/index.html.

Christopher Center Dedication

Go to http://www.valpo.edu/clir/ for information about the Fall 2004 dedication, construction photos, and more.