Category Archives: UMass Boston History

The history of and access to public broadcasting recordings dating back to the 1950s (from radio broadcasts to television shows) is the focus of a recent article in the Boston Globe. The article describes the partnership between the Library of Congress and WGBH to establish the American Archive of Public Broadcasting. Through this partnership, the Library of Congress and WGBH are working to digitize and make openly available over sixty years of public broadcasting history.

University Archives & Special Collections in the the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston was an early contributor to this project. In early 2013, University Archives & Special Collections allowed a sample set of recordings from the archives of WUMB, the radio station of the University of Massachusetts Boston, to be digitized for inclusion in the American Archive of Public Broadcasting. First established in 1968, WUMB has been a public radio affiliate of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) since 1986.

Radio broadcasts that University Archives & Special Collections contributed for inclusion in the American Archive of Public Broadcasting include talk radio show recordings such as Black Perspectives, Commonwealth Journal, and From the Source, as well as live in-studio and concert performances by a number of musicians.

The digitized recordings are still being processed by the American Archive and University Archives & Special Collections. Keep visiting this blog for more information.

University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston collects materials related to the university’s history, as well as materials that reflect the institution’s urban mission and strong support of community service, notably in collections of records of urban planning, social welfare, social action, alternative movements, community organizations, and local history related to neighboring communities.

University Archives & Special Collections welcomes inquiries from individuals, organizations, and businesses interested in donating materials of an archival nature that that fit within our collecting policy. These include manuscripts, documents, organizational archives, collections of photographs, unique publications, and audio and video media. For more information about donating to University Archives & Special Collections, click here or email library.archives@umb.edu.

A news release from the Office of Public Relations, September 5, 1974

University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston announces the availability for research of three record collections documenting the activities of the University of Massachusetts Boston during the 1960s and 1970s.

Office of Admissions records, 1967-1976
These records document the activities of the Office of Admissions at the University of Massachusetts Boston from 1967-1976. Formats include data sets, lists, maps, meetings minutes, memoranda, statistical charts, and working papers. Included in the collection are a Ten Year Review covering 1965-1974, the meeting minutes of the Admissions Committee from 1967-1976, and summaries of admissions data.
View the finding aid for this collection.

Facilities Planning Office records, 1964-1979
This collection documents the activities of the Facilities Planning Office (previously known as the Planning and Development Office) at the University of Massachusetts Boston from 1964-1979. Topics include the UMass Boston campus in Park Square in the mid-1960s as well as the negotiations and planning behind the permanent site selection of Columbia Point in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Formats include articles, building floor plans, bulletins, correspondence, invoices, lease drafts, lists, maps, memoranda, newspapers clippings, photographs, proposals, and reports.
View the finding aid for this collection.

Office of Public Relations news releases, 1971-1977
This collection contains news releases published by the Office of Public Relations (currently known as the Office of Communications) at the University of Massachusetts Boston from 1971-1977.
View the finding aid for this collection.

These records have been processed as part of University Archives & Special Collections’ Save Our History! campaign. In preparation for UMass Boston’s 50th anniversary, University Archives & Special Collections is calling for the transfer of founding documents and organizational records from all units on campus. These units include (but are not limited to) academic departments, administrative units, institutes, centers, and student groups. Read more about transferring University records to UASC.

University of Massachusetts Boston: Accreditation Steering Committee records, 1990-1995

University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston is pleased to announce that the University of Massachusetts Boston: Accreditation Steering Committee records, 1990-1995, are now open for research.

The collection documents the activities of the Accreditation Steering Committee at the University of Massachusetts Boston following an evaluation of the University by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), on April 12-14, 1992. An Accreditation Steering Committee was appointed in August 1993 and their self-study activities concluded in April 1995. The majority of the collection comprises the records of Martin Quitt, Professor Emeritus of History at UMass Boston, including memoranda, drafts of standards for accreditation, and self-study reports.

View the finding aid for this collection.

These records have been processed as part of University Archives & Special Collections’ Save Our History! campaign. In preparation for UMass Boston’s 50th anniversary, University Archives & Special Collections is calling for the transfer of founding documents and organizational records from all units on campus. These units include (but are not limited to) academic departments, administrative units, institutes, centers, and student groups. Read more about transferring University records to UASC.

Alumni Association travel activities catalog, 1983-1984

University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston is pleased to announce that the records of the Office of Alumni Affairs at the University of Massachusetts Boston are now available for research. The majority of these records comprise correspondence and memoranda generated and received by the Office of Alumni Affairs between 1980 and 1985. The collection also contains the records of the Alumni Board from 1972-1984, including meeting minutes and memoranda. Other formats in the collection include brochures, fact sheets, flyers, newspaper clippings, and photographs.

View the finding aid for this collection.

These records have been processed as part of University Archives & Special Collections’ Save Our History! campaign. In preparation for UMass Boston’s 50th anniversary, University Archives & Special Collections is calling for the transfer of founding documents and organizational records from all units on campus. These units include (but are not limited to) academic departments, administrative units, institutes, centers, and student groups. Read more about transferring University records to UASC.

Sketch of Columbia Point and the new UMass Boston campus, 1973

University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston is pleased to announce the availability for research of several record collections documenting the history of the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Office of Enrollment Services plans and reports, 1968-1986
These records document the activities of the Office of Enrollment Services at the University of Massachusetts Boston from 1968-1986. Topics cover statistics on admissions and enrollment, plans for attracting students to UMass Boston, and information on the Extended Day Program.
View the finding aid for this collection.

Division of Student Affairs reports, 1976-1978
This record collection includes a FY 1977 Report and A Three Year Comparative Report on the Allocation of Resources for the Division of Student Affairs Including Projections for 1977-78.
View the finding aid for this collection.

Auxiliary Services memoranda, 1973
These memoranda document the opening of the Columbia Point campus of the University of Massachusetts Boston. Topics covered include transportation to the new campus (via car and the MBTA), guidelines for hanging pictures on the walls of Building No. 110, and the availability of emergency first aid material from the University Campus Police Department prior to the opening of the University Health Services Department. Included is a sketch of the Columbia Point area showing the new UMass Boston campus as well as a diagram labeled “Guide to Parking.”
View the finding aid for this collection.

These records have been processed as part of University Archives & Special Collections’ Save Our History! campaign. In preparation for UMass Boston’s 50th anniversary, University Archives & Special Collections is calling for the transfer of founding documents and organizational records from all units on campus. These units include (but are not limited to) academic departments, administrative units, institutes, centers, and student groups. Read more about transferring University records to UASC.