Tougaloo College Archives and Research Center

About the Archives and Research Center

The Tougaloo College Archives and Research Center is the key component of Tougaloo College’s planned large-scale development intended to preserve Mississippi history on Tougaloo’s historic campus. The center will house nationally significant archival materials from the civil rights era across the state and region, with a focus on Mississippi and Tougaloo College.

The project will draw scholars from diverse contexts, including current Tougaloo College students, exchange students from around the world, and seasoned researchers. It aligns with the National Archives mission to inspire appreciation for our country’s legacy and encourage citizen engagement in democracy.

Given Tougaloo College’s historical significance during the civil rights movement and its vast collection of nationally historic materials, it is an ideal location for this initiative. The center will focus on activities authorized by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) statute, including:

• Collecting, describing, and preserving documentary sources significant to U.S. history, with an emphasis on the civil rights era at Tougaloo College
• Compiling and publishing archival materials (including microfilming and other forms of reproduction)

The center will also provide space for institutional training and educational programs, making Tougaloo’s digital archiving resources available to the public as part of a major effort to educate and raise historical awareness.