ABOUT
The Newcomb Archives acquires, preserves, and makes accessible materials documenting the rich history of women and gender in the Gulf South. Our collection highlights the papers of several second-wave feminist activists who advocated for reproductive rights, social justice, environmental activism, and civic engagement in Louisiana. In addition, Newcomb Archives is home to the administrative and student records of the former Newcomb College, the papers, scrapbooks, and oral histories of Newcomb College alumnae and the organizational records documenting the Newcomb College Center for Research on Women and its programming. The Nadine Robbert Vorhoff Collection is a non-circulating special collections library devoted to research on women, gender and sexuality mostly consisting of culinary and prescriptive literature, which includes third-wave feminist zines, artist’s books, prints, and tarot/oracle cards.
The Newcomb Archives and Vorhoff Collection are open to all, regardless of institutional affiliation. The Reading Room is located on the third floor of the Malkin Sacks Commons (43 Newcomb Place, New Orleans, LA 70118).
Access to materials found in the Newcomb Archives collections requires an appointment. The Reading Room is open for quiet study hours until 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and until 5 p.m. on Fridays during the fall and spring semesters. The Reading Room is closed on weekends and during university holidays. No food or drink is permitted in the Reading Room.
A portion of our collections are available online in the Tulane University Library Digital Collections. They are separated into two categories: Tulane University Digital Library and Tulane Inside and Out.
Researchers at Newcomb Archives
Research appointments can be made Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by emailing newcombarchives@tulane.edu to request an appointment. Researchers will receive an email confirming the time and date of the appointment.
Our collections are stored offsite and must be requested at least 3 business days in advance. Requested materials are transported by the Tulane Library Courier service. Based on TUL’s policy, only 10 boxes can be requested per day. For accessing larger collections, researchers may need to coordinate with archivists and visits may need to be planned for multiple days depending on the TUL Courier service.
Severe weather, rain, and campus closures may affect appointments and handling of materials as the TUL Courier transport will shut down during these situations.
Please visit archives.tulane.edu to browse collections in our inventory. Select “Newcomb Archives” under Repository to limit your search to our collections.
Quiet Study in the Reading Room
During the academic year, the Newcomb Archives Reading Room is open to all as a quiet workspace Mondays 5 p.m. -9 p.m., Tuesday - Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
We close for all campus holidays and are open by appointment only for research visits during University intersessions (see Tulane’s academic calendar).
The Reading Room may close because of severe weather, maintenance, or scheduled events at any time. Please check the schedule for closures and programming.
Malkin Sacks Commons Building at 43 Newcomb Place, New Orleans, LA 70118
We’re located on the third floor of the Malkin Sacks Commons. An elevator goes directly to our floor from the Freret Street facing the entrance of the building. The Reading Room is to the left as you exit.
Parking
Visitor parking is available in the Diboll Garage. There is also limited hourly parking in front of Howard-Tilton Memorial Library. Street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood.
Bernadette Floresca
Head of Archives and Special Collections
(504) 314-2722
bfloresca@tulane.edu
