Image Collection

Former president Jimmy Carter gives a speech at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Memorial Union Theater in March 1994. Madison, Wisconsin.
Former president Jimmy Carter gives a speech at the UW-Madison Union Theater in March 1994.

The Archives maintains over 2,500,000 images (circa 1,200 linear feet) relevant to the history of the UW Madison campus, UW System Administration, UW Extension and the UW Colleges. Our images document campus departments, locations, traditions, faculty and alumni, buildings and noteworthy events. The collection also includes images from the greater Madison and Dane County area, and others from around the state.

We also contain photo albums and scrapbooks, lantern slides, glass negatives, film negatives and prints. Key collections include the Photomedia Center Negative Collection, Newsmedia Collection, Harold Hone Collection, Duane Hopp and William J. Meuer Collections and a multitude of images collected from campus communications units and staff.

Looking for a particular photo? Stop in to research within the image collection. Contact us by email or call 608-262-5629 for assistance. Already have an specific image in mind? Please refer to our Duplication and Use Policy for guidance on submitting a request for image use or reproductions.

University Archives Image Collections Online

Check out a few of our locally-hosted collections that include photos and history timelines.

  • The UW Digital Collections Center hosts a selection of photographs from the University Archives in their UW-Madison Collection. Click “Browse Images and Ephemera” to discover over 17,000 photos that document UW campus history including athletics, music, buildings, people and events. We add new images regularly!
  • Check out the University Archives Flickr photostream (@UWMadArchives) for some image sets that present various campus traditions, events, locations and student life!

Additional Resources for Campus Photos

Popcorn vendor on UW campus. #S16046
Sledding on Bascom Hill, #S12110
Sledding on Bascom Hill, 1950s #S12110
The soda fountain at the Union was a popular place to congregate! c. 1940-1955. #:S14912
The Union soda fountain was popular! c. 1955. #S14912
An attempt at forming the "W" with their hair? These UW students engage in creative fun, c. 1910. #S14873
Throwing the “W” with their hair? c. 1910. #S14873
A mandolin serenade, c. 1890s. #S08806
A mandolin serenade, c. 1890s. #S08806