The Andrew Seager Archives of the Built Environment, a Division of University Libraries, located in the Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning, is a unique resource dedicated to preserving the history of Indiana's built environment. Our collections contain over 130,000 original architectural drawings, landscape plans, blueprints, photographs, models, and building remnants that tell the stories of Indiana’s buildings, sites, and structures. Our collections are open for research to Ball State University students, faculty, staff, and the general public.
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The Andrew Seager Archives of the Built Environment is open to Ball State University students, faculty, staff, and emeriti, and the general public Monday through Friday, from by appointment. It is requested that research visits be scheduled 24 to 48 hours in advance.
The Andrew Seager Archives of the Built Environment includes both physical and digital collections. The Archives feature:
- drawings and records of historic sites and structures in Indiana
- works of Indiana environmental design practitioners (architects, landscape architects, planners, engineers, contractors, fabricators, and builders)
- drawings and specifications related to Ball State University buildings and landscapes
- historic trade catalogs, manuals of professional practice, and membership rosters/directories of professional and trade organizations
The following tools provide detailed, searchable access to the Archive’s holdings:
- Archive Search – search a customized database of the Archive’s contents using keywords, project names, geographic location, designer/firm name, and year.
- Digital Media Repository- search over 30 collections that have been digitized (helpful hint: under subject select "architecture").
- Collection Guides- review information on our collections including scope and arrangement of the items in the collection and biographical information on firms and practitioners.
- Building and Landscape Discovery Tool for Delaware County - locate design records and architectural drawings for buildings, landscapes, and neighborhoods in Delaware County, Indiana using an interactive map.
The staff of the Andrew Seager Archives of the Built Environment provides reference and instructional services to advance your research. Contact the Archive by email, by phone at 765-285-8441, or through the Ask an Archivist form to plan your research in the Archives.
The Andrew Seager Archives of the Built Environment maintains a research guide highlighting useful primary sources, information regarding instruction support and class visits, and additional resources.
The Andrew Seager Archives of the Built Environment accepts contributions of historic architecture records from architects, architectural firms, or other collectors in possession of relevant records that pertain to Indiana architects and architecture. Our donor form facilitates proper transfer of your collection and its intellectual content to the Andrew Seager Archives of the Built Environment. Contact the Archives to discuss planning a donation of records.
The Andrew Seager Archives of the Built Environment also offers custom-tailored primary source and archival literacy instructional sessions for classes in all academic disciplines that provide students with direction and experience conducting archival research. Contact the Archives to plan an instruction session for your course.
The Andrew Seager Archives of the Built Environment can provide digital scans of non-digitized records upon request. Please contact the Archives at libarchives@bsu.edu to discuss your request.