ISU Archives

Historically, St. Patrick's Day was an important holiday on the @IowaStateU campus. The day featured a parade and other festivities to celebrate the patron saint of engineers. The parade float pictured is of "the thesis of St. Patrick".

Special Coll. and Univ. Archives is hosting a course through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute on April 7th and 14th. Come learn about the collections and spend hands-on time with original materials reflecting ISU’s history. Registration opens today! ow.ly/UzLx50Yq9Sk

On February 21, 1950, WOI-TV broadcast its first programming from the campus of Iowa State College. Learn more on Cardinal Tales ow.ly/sjVj50Yh6UE

Love is in the air with this cute card found in the scrapbook of Juliette Wylie who was @IowaStateU from 1922-1925. Irene and Clark, the couple pictured, beam at the camera. Perhaps this was an engagement announcement? #fbf

At this evening's @iastate_cals sponsored George Washington Carver Day of Recognition, we will have on display the bottle of "Carver Blue" that is in our collection. Previously this has been on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC!

@ks4isu Sorry for missing this. But yes, I'm not aware of athletics having found a new home yet around the stadium.

@ISU_Archives @isualum @IowaStateU It sounds like the Victory Bell is STILL in storage? After six years?

Two hard working homecoming co-chairs with the @IowaStateU victory bell in 1954. Learn more about the history of the victory bell here: ow.ly/YqFq50X8Jto Be sure to follow @isualum for this year's events!

Can a class change how students see history and their future? History in Your Hands showed students the power of archives and how they can help decide what gets remembered. isuspecialcollections.wordpress.com/2026/01/26/his…

Welcome back to campus, Cyclones! With the frigid temperatures, it's a good thing students no longer have to stand in line at The Hub to collect supplies like these students in 1954.

@IowaStateU women playing an intramural softball game in 1915. Spring will surely come eventually, but until then, we can dream that it is nice enough to play outside in short sleeves. #fbf

We can't wait to start the semester and enjoy a busier library, buzzing with students! In the meantime, the reading room in Special Collections and University Archives is open for research 10-4, Monday-Friday.

The Special Collections and University Archives reading room will be closed 12/20/25-1/4/2026. We look forward to welcoming you back to research in the new year!

The @ISUCFVMB Oral History Project preserves a vibrant legacy of connection, belonging, and school spirit for future generations. Read more and explore this special project led by Rebecca Wells, student life archivist at @ISU_Archives. 🎺🥁🌪️❤️ ow.ly/s2iA50XLe1K

Cy-Hawk games➡️today & Thursday! Relive the roars, rivalries & triumphs of #HiltonMagic! 🤸‍♀️🏀🏐 @isu_archives staff w/ @CycloneAth installed a new exhibit in #Hilton to showcase @IowaStateU treasures, memorabilia, game-changing #CyclONEnation pics & artifacts. #BeatIowa

A student in 1957 takes a little snooze while studying at the library. Good luck to all Cyclones as you finish up the semester. The library is here for you with study space (and for study breaks, as well). #fbf #ParksLibrary100

Happy Thanksgiving Cyclones! Photo from a Thanksgiving celebration in Pammel Court in 1948. For holidays that occurred during a school session, it was not uncommon for two or more families to gather together for a potluck meal, even if it meant dining in cramped quarters.

A look at the library stacks (where the books are held) in 1925. Just imagine how many great ideas came from studying the books on those shelves in the last 100 years! #fbf #ParksLibrary100 #YourParksStory

For over fifty years, the United Native American Student Association (UNASA) has fostered education, service, and cultural understanding at Iowa State. Explore UNASA’s legacy of learning and leadership in our latest blog post: isuspecialcollections.wordpress.com/2025/10/29/lea…

Join us for a pop up exhibit on Friday, Oct. 24 from 12-2 in Parks Library room 405! We’ll showcase materials from across our rare books, manuscripts, and @IowaStateU archives collections, including some highlights from past homecomings. This event is free and open to everyone.

Happy Homecoming, Cyclones! We are hosting a pop up exhibit on Friday, Oct. 24 from 12-2 pm in Parks Library room 405. We’ll showcase a range of materials from across our collections, including highlights from past homecomings. We hope you can join us! @isualum