Whittier College

Whittier College's Special Collections and Archives include six main collections. Our Quaker collection is one of the largest of its kind in the United States. This collection includes photographs, realia, rare books, primary, and secondary sources relating to Quaker's of the past and today. The subject of our second collection is John Greenleaf Whittier, respected 19th century poet.This collection includes nearly all books and poetical works written by Whittier (published and unpublished), photographs, broadsides, pamphlets, ephemera, and correspondence. Also included are documents and historical newspapers edited by Whittier, relating to the Abolition Movement, including: the National Era (1847-58), National Anti-Slavery Standard (1854-69), and American Manufacturer (1828-30).Three additional collections come from alumni Richard Nixon, Jessamyn West, and Lola B. Hoffman. The Nixon collection focuses on his pre-presidential life at Whittier College, and earlier. The collection includes photographs, college-related documents, oral histories, campaign ephemera, and various gifts given to Nixon during his years as a major public figure. The Jessamyn West collection includes works by the author, her personal papers, photographs, and and personal library.The Lola Hoffman Collection includes works on Mexican history, homeopathic medicine, the occult, classic literature, and Western history. Some of these works date back as far as the 15th century. The Special Collections also houses the College Archives. These document the college from its founding in 1887 to the current day. Included in this collection are yearbooks, administrative papers, photographs, ephemera, theses, professor publications, and college newspapers.