Webster University Archives |
Access to the Emerson Library building is limited to Webster University and Eden Theological Seminary students, faculty, and staff. Visitors and alumni who wish to visit the Library should contact the circulation desk to coordinate building access.
Circulation Desk contact information
email: circ@webster.edu
phone: 314-246-6952 or toll free: 1-800-985-4279
For questions about the Webster University Archives, please use the contact information located at the bottom of the page. Access to most archival materials is by appointment only for Webster University students, faculty, and staff.
Some of these archived materials include content which may be highly offensive by today's standards. A full statement on this content may be found below.
Access Digital Archives Material Online
Visiting the Archives
- Planning a visit (by appointment only)
- Copy policies and procedures
- Information for Remote Researchers
Exhibits and Oral History
Webster University Centennial 1915-2015
Webster University: 100 Years (documentary produced by Nine Network of Public Media)
Helpful links
- Special collections/Rare books at Webster U. and Eden Theological Seminary
- Archives in St. Louis and Worldwide
- New to Archival Research?
Archive Collections May Contain Offensive Materials
For archival purposes, Webster University preserves historical photos, documents, yearbooks and student newspapers. Scholars can access these materials to research past events at the institution and explore the context surrounding those events. Some of these materials include content which may be highly offensive by today's standards. The photos and language in the materials published decades ago are reflective of the values and standards deemed acceptable at that time. Today many of us will find this content offensive and unacceptable.
Some of the content in historical photos, documents, yearbooks, and student newspapers is abhorrent and appalling, and we openly reject biased and racist views. We also acknowledge that it is part of our history, which is why we are preserving these offensive photos, documents and publications and letting them remain in their original forms. As an academic institution committed to critical analysis, we must honestly recognize these troubling views. To deny this history would be dishonest. We must shed light on past injustices and errors, analyze all the evidence, acknowledge how far we have evolved, and identify how much more needs to be accomplished in order to attain true equity and inclusion for our community.
Submit a Question to the Archives
email: archives@webster.edu
phone: +1 314-246-7818 or toll free 1-800-985-4279