Archival photo of students using a vertical file

University Archives

The University Archives collections document the history of the University of St. Thomas, the Saint Paul Seminary, Nazareth Hall Seminary, St. John Vianney Seminary, St. Thomas Military Academy (to 1965), and the Catholic Digest (1939 – 2001).

Among the Archive’s holdings are the official records of administrative offices, academic departments, and student organizations; theses and dissertations; St. Thomas college newspaper, The Aquin; University of St. Thomas and St. Thomas Military Academy yearbooks; plus, selected professional papers and publications of St. Thomas faculty and administrators.

Many of the archival resources are available online. Explore digitized content from the archives below.

Audiovisual Archives

A selection of audiovisual materials documenting events throughout the history of the University of St. Thomas

Athletics Films and Videos

A selection of athletics footage from the collections of the University of St. Thomas Archives.

Photos from the Archives

A sample of the historic images found in the collections of the University Archives related to the history of the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul Seminary, and St. Thomas Military Academy.

Historic University Publications

Digital access to University of St. Thomas publications from 1905 including the Aquin, yearbooks, and more.

Timeline of the University

View a detailed timeline of the History of the University of St. Thomas, including related digitized historical images.

Buildings of the University

A detailed list of the buildings of the University of St. Thomas from 1885 to present.

University Award Winners

A list of recipients for various university awards including Tommie of the Year, Professor of the Year, and Distinguished Alumni.

Records Management

The Records Management program provides information and instruction relating to the management of records held in the University's academic and administrative offices.

Featured Posts from Head of Special Collections and University Archivist Ann Kenne

Tales from the Archives

Father Dennis Dease and Michael D. Higgins.

Irish Cultural Connections

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, it is time to celebrate all things Irish. But instead of a parade and green beer, take a look back at some of the intellectual and cultural connections St. Thomas has made with the Emerald Isle over its history.

B.B. King playing guitar in OEC Auditorium

Celebrating Black History and Culture at St. Thomas

This February, St. Thomas is hosting a variety of events to celebrate Black History Month, continuing a tradition of honoring Black history and culture on campus.

A snow sculpture of a Viking's head wearing a helmet with horns. The snow 'painted' with color for the red helmet, eyes, and dark beard. Archival picture showing two since razed campus buildings

Mid-Winter Celebrations

While the annual Saint Paul Winter Carnival, with its signature parade and medallion hunt, may be more well known, St. Thomas has had a long tradition hosting its own mid-winter celebrations.

Yearbook page of the basketball team, Philip Gordon in center of page with title of team captain

St. Thomas' First Native American Graduate

Ann Kenne, head of special collections and archivist at St. Thomas, writes about Father Philip Gordon – a Roman Catholic priest, champion for Native American rights and St. Thomas' first Native American graduate.

St. Thomas 1922-23 football team

St. Thomas Fight Songs

Given that the contest for a new St. Thomas fight song is underway, Ann Kenne, head of special collections and archivist at St. Thomas, visits university fight songs in this Tales from the Archives piece.

Our Lady Queen of Peace shrine

Our Lady Queen of Peace

While wandering through campus, St. Thomas community members may have stumbled across the quiet garden at the rear of the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas with a statue of the Virgin Mary as its centerpiece.