Library Archives

From photos to phonographs, banners to bulletins, catalogs to Collegians, the library archives has publications and artifacts from throughout the history of the college and university. The archives media collection contains over 11,000 images and 2,000 audio/video recordings. Feeling nostalgic? Browse some of the links below to find records from your class years. For something specific, please complete the archives request form.

• History of Asbury University - an account from Asbury's founder, John Wesley Hughes
• The Asbury Collegian - student-produced newspaper running from 1925 to present
• The Asburian - campus annual yearbook beginning in 1915
• Revivals at Asbury - video account of the 1970 revival and descriptions of on-campus revivals
• Class Traditions -  names, colors, verses, and class hymns
• Alumni Publications - The Alumnus and Ambassador magazines

The Dennis F. Kinlaw Study Center, located on the lower level of the library, contains over 1,000 books of distinction and memorabilia from Dr. Kinlaw’s study and ministry. Visit to explore Dr. Kinlaw's testimony, sermons, and personal correspondence.  To learn more about the Kinlaw Study Center, click here.

Special Collections contains literary works about early Methodist history and the holiness movement in America, missionaries and missions around the world, titles by or about Asbury alumni or faculty, and other items that have historical interest. Items can be searched in the library’s online catalog.

To learn more about Asbury’s Wesleyan Holiness theological tradition go to this link.

Wesleyan-Holiness Collections

• Wesley Collection - over 800 books and pamphlets from the 18th and 19th centuries, with a focus on John and Charles Wesley and the beginnings of Methodism in England.
  • This gift to the Kinlaw Library Archives includes many early editions of texts written by the Wesleys and is available for research to interested individuals.
  • A complete bibliography of the items in this collection may be found here.
• Macclesfield Collection - 240 beautiful volumes published in the 1600s were part of the theology library in Shirburn Castle, home of the Earl of Macclesfield
  • They are a gift to the Kinlaw Library Archives and available for research to interested individuals.
  • A complete bibliography of the items in this collection may be found here.
• Whited Collection - many rare books pertaining to John Wesley and Methodism donated by alumnus Dr. Vaughn Whited '47
• Kinlaw Collection - books and papers of Dr. Dennis F. Kinlaw, holiness preacher and former Asbury President and Chancellor
• Pentecostal Herald Collection - magazine founded and originally edited by Henry Clay Morrison as a showcase for Wesleyan theological thought and a bulletin board for holiness campmeetings nationwide

Missions, Evangelism, and World Religions Collections

• Reid Collection - Dr. Alex Reid’s '27 written works and books related to African anthropology and missiology and Hazel Hunley '27 Reid's watercolor paintings of African wildflowers
• Pickett Collection - Bishop J. Waskom Pickett’s '07 written works and other volumes related to missions, evangelism, Methodism, and Indian culture
• Fogal Collection - numerous volumes on the subject of cults and world religions donated by alumnus James Fogal '96
• Ford Philpot '50 Collection - "The Story" was the first religious television show to be regularly broadcast in color

Interdisciplinary Collections

• Archival Book Collection - rare or out-of-print books and titles by or about Asbury alumni or faculty
• Joe Pitts Congressional Collection - documents, campaign materials, personal papers, files, and audio/video clips on topics such as religious freedoms, general human rights, foreign relations, health care reform, Amish issues, and the Clinton Impeachment debate
• Morrison Collection - primarily Christianity, music, and English literature volumes
• Museum Collection - artifacts from around the globe representing cultures that impacted Asbury alumni
• Sleeper Collection - late 18th to early 20th century books and personal papers from a retired chemistry professor name John Freemont Sleeper

While the Kinlaw Study Center is open any time the library building is open, access to Archives & Special Collections is by appointment only.

If you would like to schedule an appointment or request information from the archives, please email library@asbury.edu or fill out the form below with your request.