Visit the Archives

The Archives of Appalachia is a repository for memories — the written words, images, and sounds that document life in southern Appalachia. We steward over two miles of rare manuscripts, 300,000 photographs, 100,000 audio and moving image recordings, and 18,000 books.

Nearly 2,000 patrons visit the Archives in person each year, and 65,000 more from over 50 countries engage with our holdings online.

• Location

  The Archives of Appalachia is located in Room 422 on the 4th floor of the Sherrod Library building; 344 J L Seehorn Road on the main campus of ETSU.
  
  
• Hours

  The Archives of Appalachia is closed on university holidays and administrative closings.  While we do not require an appointment, we encourage you to reach out in advance of your visit so we can confirm the availability of the requested collections: 423.439.4338 or archives@etsu.edu.

  The Archives is open to the public for in-person research:

  • Academic Year: August 16-May 15
    • Monday-Friday from 9:00 am-4:30 pm
  • Summer Hours: May 16-August 15
    • Monday-Thursday from 9:00 am-4:30 pm
    • Friday: by appointment only 
      
      
• Parking

  All campus visitors must contact Parking Services to obtain a free parking pass prior to parking. You may request and print a pass online, or pick-up a pass as you enter campus via Parking Services' drive-thru at 132 Stout Drive Johnson City, TN 37614.
  
  If you have questions about parking, please call 423.439.5650. To view a map of campus, please click here (Sherrod Library is Building 320).
  
  
• Onsite Access

  Our archival collections include family, business, and organizational papers, photographs, and audiovisual materials related to Appalachia as well as a wide array of records, photographs, and publications related to ETSU.  We encourage you to visit our searchable collections database and our research guides to learn more about our holdings.  We also maintain a collection of books and other published materials related to the region that are described in the Sherrod Library catalog.
  
  Our Reading Room is open to the public for in-person research Monday-Friday from 9:00 am-4:30 pm, with the exception of University Holidays and administrative closings. Appointments, while not required, are recommended to ensure we are able to accommodate your research needs.
  
  We have public access computers available for you to search our collections database while onsite, or we are happy to assist you in locating relevant materials. We staff the Reading Room full time and there is no charge for onsite reference services. Please consult our Researcher's Guide for more information.
  
  Contact us to set up your visit: 423.439.4338 or  archives@etsu.edu.
  
• Distance Access

  The Archives provides distance access services by e-mail, mail, and telephone. Distance access involves Archives staff consulting or referring to archival holdings to ascertain specific information found in archival collections. Staff can provide up to one-half hour of assistance at no cost. Individuals doing substantial research or who live in the immediate area are encouraged to visit the Archives or arrange for the services of a private researcher.
• Reproductions and Use

  Reproductions: Researchers may request reproductions of archival materials for use in personal research.  The Archives is not able to duplicate materials that are subject to donor restrictions or that would be damaged by the process of reproduction.  Reproductions are contingent on staff availability. All fees for duplication must be received before the service is performed and duplication does not confer the right to use the material in any way other than specified in the signed Duplication Request Form. Please consult the Access Services and Duplication Fee Schedule for more details. A staff member will contact you about your request.
  
  Publishing and Use: Researchers may use materials from the Archives’ collections that are in the public domain and may make fair use of copyrighted materials as defined by copyright law without written permission from the Archives.
  
  Researchers wishing to publish, display, broadcast, or otherwise distribute copyrighted materials from the Archives’ collections must obtain written permission from the Archives by completing a Usage Agreement Form. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, with consideration being given to a number of factors including copyright, trademark, publicity rights, donor and purchase agreements, and privacy concerns.
  
  Please consult our Usage Policy and Fee Schedule or Contact Us for further information.