The Burke Library Archives consist of over 300 separate collections of personal papers and institutional records covering a broad range of themes of interest to the researcher. The Archives reflect the Seminary's leadership in social issues, religious morals and theological thought. Important new collections, such as those in the Archives of Women in Theological Scholarship, continue to be added.

To access to these archival materials, please see our Special Collections page. If you have any questions, please contact: burkespecial@library.columbia.edu

The collections are organized into six main record groups:

• Union Theological Seminary Archives
  The archives contain institutional and administrative records of the Seminary, combined with the papers of many organizations, scholars, pastors, laypersons and others connected with the school.
• Auburn Theological Seminary Archives
  The archives include early institutional records and papers of Auburn faculty and alumni.
• Missionary Research Library Archives
  The collection constitutes a unique record of Protestant missionary activity throughout the world and provides a fascinating array of materials related to the geographic, sociopolitical, religious, and cultural settings in which this activity occurred.
• William Adams Brown Ecumenical Library Archives
  The archives were founded in 1945 and contain individual papers and organizational records, relating to the modern ecumenical movement.
• Archives of Women in Theological Scholarship
  The archives document the history of the women who have made significant contributions to movements for progressive religious and social change since 1900. The Archives collects the personal papers, scholarly work, oral histories, and audiovisual records of feminist, womanist, and mujerista scholars, clergy, and laywomen, beginning with former and present Union faculty members, alumnae, and their colleagues.
• General Collections
  The collections consist of a growing number of varied and interesting archival collections unrelated to the previous collection themes.

The Archives of the Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary collects, preserves, and provides access for research and learning to unique manuscripts and papers in the subjects of U.S. and global religious history and culture, theology, social ethics, and the history of modern Protestant Christianity, including the institutional history of Union Theological Seminary. Current collecting commitments include liberal and progressive religious history, inter-religious engagement, social justice activism, and the diverse religious cultures in New York City.