University Archives

The Simmons University Archives engages the Simmons community with an awareness of our shared history, collects and makes available material that document the University, and actively supports learning, research, and scholarship.

The Simmons University Archives was established in 1974 and, in 1980, dedicated to the memory of Colonel Miriam E. Perry Goll ('30). The Archives welcomes Simmons students, faculty, alumnae, and administrators, as well as other interested researchers.

The University Archives collects official university administrative and committee records, publications, photographs, audio-visual materials, memorabilia, student theses and dissertations, and manuscript collections of alumnae/i and current and former members of the faculty and administration. The University Archives also maintains a historical book collection and a collection of the records of charitable organizations. More information on all these materials can be found on the University Archives' Web site.

The University Archives also invites users to learn about the history of Simmons University through visiting the on-line exhibits of the University's presidents, traditions, student life, buildings, and more.

Using the Archives

The Simmons University Archives supports the research needs of all members of the Simmons community — including students, faculty, alumnae/i, administrators — and other interested researchers. Please email [email protected].

The Archives welcomes the Simmons community to visit our Reading Room in E-155 as a space for quiet study. Priority seating is given to researchers using archival collections, and the room is occasionally closed due to classes or special events.

Archives collections are available for use by researchers Monday-Thursday, 10:00am to 4:00pm. Advance consultations and scheduled appointments are strongly encouraged, as much of our collection is in offsite storage.

We encourage you to explore digitized materials from our collections, including yearbooks, student newspapers, and scrapbooks, and to visit our digital exhibits.

University Archives in the News

Cover of Our Little Black Book 1974

A History of Simmons in a Little Black Book

The Little Black Book (or, Our Little Black Book), a yearbook for Black students, was first published in 1974 to capture the service, time, and growth of the Black experience at Simmons. Originally Lynne White’s 1974 senior project in Communications, the Book provides a chronicle of Simmons College’s Black community.


University Archives


The staff of the Simmons University Archives is available to assist members of the Simmons Community and other interested researchers with using the Archives' collections or address any inquiries about the history of Simmons University. For general information or to schedule an appointment, please contact the Archives at [email protected] or 617-521-2440.

Archives Staff

Photo of Zoe Johnson

Zoe Johnson

Library Fellow, Archives & Digital Initiatives

Photo of Kelsey Kolbet

Kelsey Kolbet

Archivist & Digital Initiatives Librarian

The Simmons University Archives

The Simmons University Archives engages the Simmons community with an awareness of our shared history, collects and makes available material that document the University, and actively supports learning, research, and scholarship.