Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Institute Archives and Special Collections

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Institute Archives and Special Collections

Folsom Library
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
110 Eighth St
Troy, NY 12180, United States
RPI’s Institute Archives documents the history of the Institute from its founding as the Rensselaer School in 1824 through to the present day, including permanent records of academic and administrative offices, documents pertaining to student clubs and organizations, and Institute publications. Special Collections are comprised of manuscript collections, rare books, pamphlets, and artifacts related to the history of science and technology. Among the department's holdings are the Roebling Collection documenting the design and construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, George M. Low's NASA papers, a substantial photograph collection, photo albums and scrapbooks highlighting student life, and biographical materials on RPI students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Collection Sampling

Charles Cyril Martin papers, 1854-1908

The papers document the personal amd professional life of Charles Cyril Martin and include proposals on improvements to the Brooklyn Bridge.
Collection ID: MC 15
Collection ID: MC 93

John A. Ubsdell course notebook, 1889

This item is a student notebook of John A. Ubsdell, RPI Class of 1889. The notebook was titled, "Notes on Adjustment and Use of Instruments," after a course given by David M. Greene, who was a Director and Academic Head of Rensselaer. Topics in the notebook include scientific instrument use, mathematic formulas and equations, level measurements, and figure drawings of how to use certain instruments, such as transits.

Collection ID: 1977-27

George Wallace Callahan collection, 1811-1921

The papers of George Callahan Wallace, RPI Class of 1925, include applications for employment, train tickets, grade cards, felt letters "'21" and a pocket-size notebook.

Collection ID: 1984-22

J. Crosby Jordan Wilkin Papers, 1920-1924

This collection contains student notebooks and drawings on various topics, such as surveying, engineering, and mechanics, and also includes personal correspondence transcripts.
Collection ID: MC 90

William Schneider field book, 1910

This RPI field notebook, kept by William Schneider, Class of 1912, was used for a hydrographical survey on the Hudson River in New York, and for a topographical survey in Bennington, Vermont. Included in this notebook are survey readings, small drawn maps, tide gages, and flow readings of the Hudson River, motor ratings, and more.

Collection ID: 2008-8

Charles Winthrop Crockett papers, 1881-1905

The collection includes a scrapbook, 1881-1888 which includes invitations, and clipppings of RPI events; A letter by John G. Kellar regarding Spherical and Practical Astronomy; 3 circular slide rules.
Collection ID: MC 46

Thomas F. Farrell papers, 1930-1967

This collection contains biographical material related to Major General Thomas F. Farrell, including letters, memos, and invitations from Franklin Delano Roosevelt, letters from Bernard Baruch and Herbert Hoover, articles and published volumes regarding his involvement in the Atomic Bomb development, New York City Housing development, and military career. Also included is information on the New York World's Fair, and photographs of Farrell.

Collection ID: 2003-55

Kenneth B. Rinebolt student drawings, 1929-1940

Student architectural drawings and drawing workbooks created by Kenneth Rinebolt, RPI Class of 1932.

Collection ID: 2003-7

Mary Ellen Rathbun Kolb Oral History, 2013-2014

Two oral history interviews with Mary Ellen Rathbun Kolb.
Collection ID: 2014-1