This page will provide information about accessing physical archival material. Due to copyright, the majority of MacLean cannot be digitized and is only accessible physically on site.
Papers are archival collections created by an individual or family. While most of these papers of those of religious professional, we also have papers of lay leaders, activists, and other individuals whose lives and experiences are important to Unitarian Universalism.
Records are archival collections created by organizations. These can include congregations, UU affiliated organizations, or organizations with historical connections to Unitarian Universalism.
Collections are archival collections that do not have a clear creator, such as an individual or organization, but are organized around a specific theme or historical event. Of particular note is the MacLean Working Files Collection- Individuals, which is organizes curricula and other material according to individual religious educators
Religious Education curricula forms the core of the MacLean Special Collection. This section includes religious education curricula in a variety of mediums, including formally published and bound curricula, multimedia kits, pamphlets, and unpublished independent curricula. Rev. Dr. Liz Strong's guide to the Six Era's of Religious Education is useful to contextualize these archival materials. Click the Six Eras Tab to access it.
If you need access to archival material from MacLean that is not digitized, we offer access to physical collections through limited scanning requests and general reference help. If you cannot come to Chicago to use materials in person, email us at archive@meadville.edu and we will do what we can to assist.
The Meadville Lombard Archives and Special Collections is located right in the center of Chicago's downtown in the Loop neighborhood. We are open 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday by appointment. For researchers traveling to Chicago, we have special room rates at local hotels. Due to building security, all archive visits must be scheduled ahead of time. To arrange a visit, email us at archives@meadville.edu with the dates and times you want to visit and the collections you would like to use.
If you have any questions about the Meadville Lombard Archives and Special Collections, just ask!
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Meadville Lombard Wiggin Library
180 N. Wabash Ave.
Suite 625
Chicago, IL 60601
Library and Archives Phone: 312-546-6488 Library Email: library@meadville.edu Archives Email: archives@meadville.edu