Archive CollectionsManuscripts

Manuscript Collections

Over 6,000 manuscript collections are housed in the Research Division archives. Manuscript collections may include personal papers and correspondence, military records, scholar's papers and many other items providing insight into Oklahoma's history.

Notable collections include:

  • Frederick Barde, early newspaper man
  • Historian Grant Foreman
  • Dr. Joseph Thoburn, civic leader and historian
  • Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce Collection
  • Past OHS curator WP Campbell
  • Tulsa Race Riot Commission Materials

Search Manuscripts

More information and a complete listing of collections can be found in the Archives section of the online catalog.
Search the Online Catalog   

Accessing Manuscript Collections

When requesting access a collection, researchers should complete a Record Retrieval Request form making certain to include the collection name, collection number, folder and box number and a description of the item.

Saturday access to manuscript collections must be requested by 4pm on Friday. Materials requested from the off-site storage facility require 48 hours to retrieve.

Tulsa Race Riot Report

The Final Report of the Oklahoma Commission to Study the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 is online. Click to download a PDF of the full report (4.96MB)

Contact the Manuscript Archives

Inquiries regarding manuscript collections should be directed to:
Jennifer Day, Manuscript Archivist
405.522.0876
jday@okhistory.org

For information about ordering copies of manuscript materials, see the orders and fees page.