About the Laurier Archives
The Laurier Archives is the Library's research collection of archival papers, rare books, and historic university records. With collecting emphases on the environmental conservation movement in Canada; the Lutheran Church in Canada; and Canadian music, the Laurier Archives holds unique collections of archival records. The Rare Book collection contains volumes dating to the 15th century and includes an unparalleled collection of hymnbooks.
We are also the official repository of historic university records. The holdings include official records of the university; photographs; memorabilia, student publications; records of student clubs and much more.
Please visit our web exhibit: 'Talkin' 'bout Those Generations': Lutheran Youth Experience in Canada
The Laurier Archives Reading Room is on the first floor of the Laurier Library. It is open to the public and we welcome researchers of all levels.
We'd love to host your class or community group in the Archives. Please contact us to arrange for a tour or instruction session.
The Laurier Archives contains the library's research collection of primary documents and rare books. The collection focuses on: the environmental conservation movement in Canada (with an emphasis on water resources, Canada's North, and biosphere reserves in Canada); the history of Lutheranism in Canada; and the history of Kitchener-Waterloo.
Environmental Conservation Movement in Canada
The Laurier Archives houses a rich collection of archival records and primary resources documenting the environment. The collections have a special emphasis on water resources, parks and protected areas, biosphere reserves, and Canada’s north in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Lutheran Church in the Community
The Laurier Archives is the official repository of the records of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (Eastern Synod), the historic records of the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, as well as collections of personal papers, publications and ephemera. In Synod records, and records of individual parishes, the collection documents not only the history of the ELCIC beginning in the nineteenth century, but offers a glimpse into life in communities across Canada in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
The rare book collection contains an extensive collection of Lutheran texts, and a growing collection of hymnals used in Canadian churches.
History of Kitchener-Waterloo
The history of Kitchener-Waterloo is represented in a number of records of individuals and organizations including the Kitchener-Waterloo Concert Association, and the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo. The records of local parishes are well-represented in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada records
The Laurier Archives is the official repository for historic records of the university. Our holdings include corporate records of Wilfrid Laurier University and the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary and their predecessors including records of the Board of Governors and Senate; academic faculties and administrative offices. The collection includes official publications of the university including press releases, magazines and newspapers as well as university photographs.
Also included are student publications, photographs, alumni records, campus memorabilia and much more. University Archives materials are described in finding aids. Certain photos and documents are available in the Laurier Archives Digital Collection. For assistance using the University Archives, please contact us.
The application deadline for the 2018 award is December 1, 2017.
Adjudication of applications
An interdisciplinary Advisory Committee will review each application based on the applicant’s research topic and the availability of relevant holdings in the Laurier Archives. Preference will be given to applicants whose research proposal makes maximum use collections at the Laurier Archives.
Conditions of Travel Award
Travel Award winners must begin their research at the Laurier Archives within one year of being notified of the award. Award winners are expected to devote full time to their research project while in Waterloo. Funds may be used for travel to Waterloo and lodging in Kitchener-Waterloo. Subsidized accommodation may be available on campus. The Joan Mitchell Travel Award must be acknowledged in works emanating from research conducted at the Laurier Archives. The Travel Award winner will be requested to submit a short report on their research which may be used in University publications.
2017: Jonathan Luedee, University of British Columbia
2016: Christine Grossutti, Queen's University
2015: Elliot Worsfold, Western University
2014: Jessica DeWitt, University of Saskatchewan