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Introduction to Archival Research

An introductory overview of archival research at the Kellen Design Archives and other archives.

Associate Archivist

Profile Photo
Jenny Swadosh
Contact:
Telephone: 212-229-5942

E-mail: archivist@newschool.edu
Website

About

Inside this guide, you will find helpful tips and important terms that will enable you to feel comfortable and confident conducting archival research. We have tried to create a guide that is applicable to archival research everywhere, not just in The New School Archives and Special Collections.

Student research

Welcome

Welcome to The New School Archives and Special Collections!

The Kellen Design Archives (KDA), a collection within The New School Archives, documents the history of Parsons School of Design back to its founding in 1896 by collecting records produced by faculty, students, former students, and associates of Parsons. Because Parsons has been such an important design school for so long, and so many important figures in the design universe have either gone to school here, or taught here (or both), the KDA collections can open a window onto many 20th (and 21st) century design practices, trends and changes.

The New School Archives also collects and makes available to researchers the records of Mannes School of Music, the School of Drama, and the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, which today comprise the College of Performing Arts.