University Archives

The Collection

The University Archive maintains the recorded history of Otterbein University, through documents, photographs, artifacts, and publications of the students, faculty, staff, administration, and alumni of the University. The Otterbein Room also holds some materials pertaining to the United Brethren Church (later the Evangelical United Brethren Church, and today the United Methodist Church), mostly that which has a direct connection to Otterbein University. A small amount of Westerville historical material that relates to Otterbein is also maintained. In addition, the University Archive holds old, rare, and autographed books from the collection of the Courtright Memorial Library for preservation.

Some archival collections have been digitized and are available for viewing in our institutional repository, the Digital Commons. Additional digital content is being added on a regular basis. Researchers will find three main areas of interest, beginning with the Archives and Special Collections page: https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/archives/

Next, both the historical and current publications of Otterbein University are being collected in the Otterbein Journals & Magazines page: https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/journals/

Finally, on the Otterbein University Athletics page, you will find an assortment of historical and current programs and newsletters, and the Sports Films Collection, which consists of digitized films of Otterbein football games, going as far back as 1940: https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/athletics/ 

User Statistics

User statistics for the Otterbein University Archive, from the 2015-2016 fiscal year to the present, can be found here: https://otterbein.libguides.com/c.php?g=1234789

Contact

The University Archive is located on the lower level of the Courtright Memorial Library and observes regular hours Monday through Friday, 9:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., and 2:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Please contact Stephen D. Grinch, Archivist (614-823-1761) for more information or to request materials.

Public Notice Regarding the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Section 106 Review of Otterbein University Plans to Install Compact Shelving in the Courtright Memorial Library

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has awarded the Otterbein University, in Westerville, Ohio, a Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections grant (PF-293430-23). The project will develop a plan to install Compact Shelving at the university’s library to protect and contain the university’s archives.

NEH is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. This public notice is issued as part of NEH’s responsibilities under 36 C.F.R. Part 800, the regulations which implement Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended, 54 U.S.C. 306108. NEH, a funding agency, is required by regulation to identify and assess the effects of any proposed actions on historic properties. If any proposed action will have an adverse effect on historic resources, NEH works with the appropriate parties to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects. Additionally, the Section 106 regulations require NEH to consider the views of the public on preservation issues when making final decisions that affect historic properties.

The Courtright Memorial Library 138 W. Main St., Westerville, OH, 43081, ), which opened to the public in 1972, is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion C for its Brutalist architecture. The area of potential effect is limited to building’s footprint. It is not anticipated that there will be a need for any structural changes to the building for this project, but to add shelving units in the same footprint and area which is currently holding the archives.

On November 21, 2024, Abigail Rosenow, Project Reviews Manager for the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), indicated that the project will have no adverse effect. After reviewing Section 106 documentation and SHPO finding, NEH issues a determination of no adverse effects. Should there be any changes that require structural modification to the building, the University will contact NEH and the SHPO to determine if additional review under Section 106 is required.

As required by Section 106, NEH is providing the public with information about this project, as well as an opportunity to comment on any knowledge of, or concerns with, historic properties in the proposed project area, and issues relating to the project’s potential effects on historic properties. Comments may be submitted to the NEH by e-mail to FPO@neh.gov. The deadline for submitting comments is Friday, January 3, 2025.