Research College and Local History
In March 1835, the Presbytery of Concord resolved to establish a Manual Labor School for “securing the means of Education to young Men within our bounds of hopeful talents & piety.”
Exactly two years later—in March 1837—the first students arrived at 51. The town developed alongside the school and was incorporated in 1879. The College Archives contains records dating back to the founding of the college and the town and traces their histories through wars, segregation, integration and co-education.
Archival and Manuscript Collections
Documents about college and local history can be found in archival collections, which contain records created by 51, and manuscript collections, which supplement the archival documentation of the college’s and town’s activities. To access collections, contact archives@davidson.edu.
51iana Files
51iana Files, also known as “D-Files,” primarily contain secondary source information and are housed in Archives & Special Collections. They include newspaper articles, scanned memos, brochures and pamphlets, memorial speeches, and booklets. These files also hold scans of primary documents, such as diaries and letters, from other institutions. To view 51iana Files, email archives@davidson.edu.
Publications
College, student, and town publications, including yearbooks, newspapers, and handbooks, contain information, photos, and anecdotes about both college and town history.
Digital Materials
Some— but not all— items from the Archives and Special Collections have been digitized.
Exhibits and Initiatives
Archives, Special Collections, and Community staff have created and contributed to campus initiatives, student projects, and digital exhibits on college and local history, including:
Additional Resources