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United States Military Academy Library


USMA Library Archives and Special Collections: Home

 

The U.S. Military Academy's Archives and Special Collections hold a variety of unique and rare materials in addition to archival documents.

 

Our collections house historical records of the academy from its founding in 1802 to the present, as well as academy publications like cadet yearbooks (Howitzer), the post newspaper (Pointer View) and Annual Reports of the Superintendent. We also have a vast holding of personal manuscripts, maps, photographs and other unique materials, as well a rare book collection that includes early European and American imprints and the Sylvanus Thayer Collection.

 

Learn more about our collections.

Hours

 

West Point Room (Reading Room) M-F 800-1600.

 

See our full calendar as well as more information on how to request documents and register in Plan Your Visit.

Location

 

Our Reading Room is located in the West Point Room, Bartlett Hall North 422.

 

There are directional signs throughout the fourth floor of Bartlett Hall to guide you. Maps are also available to users upon request.

Contact Us

 

We are available by email to assist you with collections inquiries and planning your visit.

 

arch-spec@usmalibrary.org

 

The USMA Library prioritizes library and information services to cadets, faculty, and staff. Services to other users are offered as time allows and are limited to inquiries meeting one of the following criteria:

  • Queries regarding the West Point Military Reservation, the United States Military Academy, and graduates of the United States Military Academy including those individuals requesting research assistance under 36 CFR Chapter XII, Subchapter C.
  • Queries regarding unique items held only in the collections of the United States Military Academy Library.

Digital Exhibits

 

These exhibits share only a fraction of materials but highlight some of the treasures of our collections.

Find our complete digital exhibition page here.

A female military instructor leads a class of cadets in grey

Schedule a Visit with your Class

Instructors, did you know your department liaison librarian can help you plan a visit with your classes to Archives and Special Collections? To contact your liaison and learn more about how our unique materials can enhance your course, or to request a visit, please fill out this form: Information Literacy Instruction Request.

Black and white image from the 1960s of cadets studying and spending time in the old West Point Room

West Point Room

The West Point Room was built in 1964 as part of the old Cadet Library. It is now the reading room for Archives and Special Collections, located on the fourth floor of Bartlett Hall. 

Three cadets in camouflage gather around an old ledger with a magnifying glass

Schedule a Visit with your Class

Instructors, did you know your department liaison librarian can help you plan a visit with your classes to Archives and Special Collections? To contact your liaison and learn more about how our unique materials can enhance your course, or to request a visit, please fill out this form: Information Literacy Instruction Request.

Black and white image of an African American cadet looking up at a marble arch dedicated to ex-cadet Edgar Allen Poe

Archives & Special Collections Online

Access digitized Archives and Special Collections material through the USMA Digital Collections.

Digital Collections

 

We are actively working to digitize and make collections available online. Highlights of these efforts are linked below. Find our complete digital collections here.

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