Spelman College Archives

A component of the Women’s Research and Resource Center, the archives is a fully functional unit of the College which is open Monday through Friday.

The Spelman College Archives serves as the official repository of the College and collect the administrative records, departmental and program records, publications, photographs and other material relating to the history and administration of the College, from its founding until the present day. The Archives are also the repository for the records of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman Col

Photos from Spelman College Archives's post

01/12/2026

2026 AUDRE LORDE TRAVEL AWARD CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

The Spelman Archives & Women's are pleased to the second call for applications for the Audre Lorde Travel Award!

This award consists of $2,500.00 each for two currently enrolled PhD students to research in the Audre Lorde Papers during Summer 2026. This award will support research and public engagement with Lorde’s papers and expand scholarship centering the lives and work of Black q***r women.

Applications maybe be submitted here: https://tinyurl.com/25kftvzd

Recommendation forms may be submitted here: https://tinyurl.com/3kj3umdz

The deadline to receive applications is March 1, 2026.

For any questions, please contact Holly Smith at [email protected]

04/11/2025

Celebrating Spelman’s Founders Day with some gems from the archives!

Image 1: Founders Day Calisthenics Demonstration, 1931

Image 2: Founders Day Glee Club Processional, N.D.

Image 3: Founders Day Senior Class Processional, c. 1990s

Image 4: 10th anniversary of Founders Day at Spelman, 1891

04/11/2024

Happy Founders Day everyone! Wishing a joyous celebration for the Spelman community on campus and beyond

The pictures below from the Archives highlight Founders Day celebrations from years past, including 1924 (the year Spelman Seminary became Spelman College).

03/25/2024

We celebrate the life and legacy of Black feminist writer, filmmaker, and cultural worker Toni Cade Bambara, born 85 years today! The Spelman Archives are the proud repository of her papers, which include drafts of her novels, research notes, photographs, and edits of her films.

03/01/2024

Our incredible Student Archives Research Assistant Kayla Ary (C'2025) interviewed College Archivist Holly Smith in the stye of Vogue 73!

Please enjoy Kayla’s great questions and learn more about Ms. Smith and the Spelman collections!

02/18/2024

The Spelman College Archives celebration the life and legacy of “black, le***an, mother, warrior, poet" Audre Lorde, born 90 years ago today in Harlem. The picture below is from the 1983 Anniversary of the March on Washington, where Lorde was a featured speaker. The Spelman Archives are proud to be the repository for the Audre Lorde papers, where we provide access to her poetry, writings, correspondence and other archival treasures highlighting her lifelong work fighting against racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of systemic oppression.