There are many locations which contain significant archival collections of 4-H history - records, artifacts and other historical 4-H memorabilia. They include 4-H history museums and websites, and other collections housed at national repositories, state and university libraries and even some local archives.

The following database provides information on many of these repositories and general information on their 4-H-related contents.

For information on hours of operation, access to files, loan policies and other queries, please contact the repository source directly.

If you are aware of 4-H historic archival collections which are not listed in this database, please let the National 4-H History Preservation Program know by writing: Info@4-HHistoryPreservation.com

Canada

Roland 4-H Museum

72 Third Street
Roland, Manitoba  

Contact:
Phone:	204.343.2061
E-Mail:	info@roland4hmuseum.ca
Website:	http://www.roland4hmuseum.ca
Description:	4-H in Canada all started in Manitoba. Roland, Manitoba is recognized as the birthplace of 4-H in Canada with the first organizational meeting for a Boys and Girls Club held in 1913. The 4-H Museum in Roland opened in August of 1990. The museum is open in July and August on Monday-Friday from 1-4pm and by appointment throughout the rest of the year.
General Contents:	The museum has over 220 artifacts from across Canada and the United States. The artifacts and memorabilia consist of anything related to 4-H such as trophies, uniforms, banners, records, scrapbooks and articles made in projects. The oldest artifact is a medal for a flower competition in 1911 donated by Walter McDonald (an original member of the Boys and Girls Club formed in Roland).

USA

4-H Schoolhouse Museum - Clarion, Iowa

First Avenue at Central Avenue West
Clarion, IA   50525

Contact:
Phone:	515.532.3453
E-Mail:
Website:	http://www.panoramio.com/photo/37015636
Description:	The school was moved to its present site in Gazebo Park in 1952 from Lake Township. It is known as the birthplace of the 4-H emblem where in 1907 O. H. Benson came to a contry school house and found the teacher and her pupils in a clover field near the school house looking for four leaf clovers. The scene inspired Benson who had been looking for an emblem for the agricultural clubs.
General Contents:	Admission is free. Hours are: Tuesday and Thursday 1-4pm; Saturday 9am-noon.

Edwin Thomas Meredith Papers

Special Collections Department
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City, IA   52242-1420

Contact:
Phone:	319.335.5921
E-Mail:	lib-spec@uiowa.edu
Website:	http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/spec-coll/
Description:	The papers were given to the University of Iowa Libraries by Mr. Meredith's son, Edwin T. Meredith, Jr., in 1965. Edwin Thomas Meredith was born in Avoca, Iowa on December 23, 1876. Meredith founded "Successful Farming" magazine in 1902. Meredith Publishing became a major magazine publisher in America, including "Better Homes and Gardens." In January, 1920, Meredith became Secretary of Agriculture in the Wilson Administration. He was the first Chairman of the National Committee on Boys' and Girls' Club Work (later to become National 4-H Council), beginning in 1921.
General Contents:	The collection contains 43 boxes plus scrapbooks. Boxes include correspondence, speeches, photographs and other memorabilia. Contents are outlined on the website. Boxes 28 and 29 contain 4-H materials… and, perhaps others.

Elsie Carper Collection

National Agricultural Library
10301 Baltimore Avenue
Beltsville, MD   20705-2351

Contact:	Susan Fugate
Phone:	301.504.5696
E-Mail:	susan.fugate@ars.usda.gov
Website:	http://www.nal.usda.gov
Description:	The Elsie Carper Collection on Extension Service, Home Economics and 4-H spans almost nine decades from 1908 through 1994. She compiled and preserved the history of 4-H during her four decades as an administrative assistant for the national 4-H program and nearly two decades as an historian during her retirement., giving the materials to the National Agricultural Library.
General Contents:	The collection, which documents some of the history of 4-H includes the papers of many individuals including Seaman Knapp, Oscar H. Benson and Gertrude Warren. The collection includes publications, correspondence, newspaper articles, time management studies, reports, questionnaires, meeting programs, awards and exhibit booklets, photographs, intern reports, music, radio spots, kits and posters. A more thorough documentation of the scope and content of the collection can be found on the website to download as PDF 36KB.

Franklin M. Reck Papers, 1909-1965

Special Collection, University of Oregon Libraries
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR   97403-1299

Contact:	spcarref@uoregon.edu
Phone:	541.346.3053
E-Mail:	spcarref@uoregon.edu
Website:	http://libweb.uoregon.edu/speccoll/index.html
Description:	Franklin M. Reck is known for authoring books for boys and was associated with magazine publishing. He was with "American Boy" from 1926-1941 and was a consultant to the Publications Dept. of Ford Motor Company. Reck wrote "The 4-H Story" in 1951, the first major history of 4-H Club work. In 1960, Reck received a Ford Foundation grant to study 4-H type clubs in Latin America. His final book, "Stories Boys Like," was released the day he died - October 15, 1965.
General Contents:	The Franklin M. Reck Papers include 45 linear feet (3 containers). Contents are described on the website.

Iowa 4-H Historical Photo Gallery

Continuing Education & Communication Ser.
Iowa State University
Ames, IA   50011

Contact:	Carol Ouverson
Phone:	515.294.6222
E-Mail:	couverso@iastate.edu
Website:	http://www.extension.iastate.edu/emms/4hcphotos/
Description:	Iowa figues prominently in the 4-H story. As part of the national 4-H centennial efforts, Iowa State University created the Iowa 4-H Historical Photo Gallery.
General Contents:	Illustrated and described by the decade, Iowa 4-H celebrates its history through photos in this special website 4-H Centennial Photo Gallery.

Jack County Museum

241 West Belknap
Jacksboro, TX   76458

Contact:
Phone:	940.567.5410
E-Mail:	info@jackcountymuseum.com
Website:	http://www.jackcountymuseum.com
Description:	Called "the Birthplace of Texas 4-H," the museum is located in one of the oldest, if not the oldest, houses in Jack County. This house witnessed the birth of the "Corn Club," later known as the 4-H Club, in 1907 when the founder, Tom M. Marks, was the resident. While serving as special county agent, Mr. Marks felt there was a great need for new developments in farming methods. After failing to convince the local farmers of new changes, he turned to the youth of the area and the Corn Club was organized on September 8, 1907.
General Contents:	Visitors will enjoy a view of numerous artifacts relating to early life in Jack County, as well as a vast collection of military exhibits, 4-H memorabilia, Jacksboro High School mementoes and local records.

Jessie Field Shambaugh Collection

University Archives, Spec. Collections
Iowa State University
Ames, IA   50011-2140

Contact:
Phone:	515.294.6672
E-Mail:	spclref@iastate.edu
Website:	http://www.lib.iastate.edu/arch/rgrp/16-3-60.html
Description:	Jessie Fild Shambaugh (1881-1971) was born in Shenandoah, Iowa, as a school teacher at Goldenrod School in Page County, Iowa, he developed a Girls Home Club and Boys Corn Club, the forerunners of 4-H Clubs.
General Contents:	The Shambaugh Papers - Collection Number RS 16/3/60 - consist mainly of information written about Jessie Field Shambaugh and her pioneering efforts to create the 4-H movement. There is a cassette tape presentation entitled, "Jessie Field, Mother of 4-H," two additional cassette tapes of a speech and interview with Shambaugh, photographs of Shambaugh as well as photographs of a watch given to her in 1911, and scrapbooks.

Louisiana 4-H Museum

8592 Highway 1
Mansura, LA   71350

Contact:	Rose Anne St. Romain, Coord.
Phone:	318.964.2245
E-Mail:	4Hmuseum@agcenter.lsu.edu
Website:	http://www.lsuagcenter.com/4Hmuseum
Description:	Mansura is in avoyelles Parish, and Louisiana 4-H has its roots in Avoyelles. In 1908 at Moreauville High School, 300 boys gathered to learn new and better ways to plant corn. This Corn Club for boys was the first of its kind in Louisiana. The idea of building the museum in Mansura evolved in 2004 when the Anoyelles Parish Police Jury acquired land in Mansura for a new facility for extension and tourism offices.
General Contents:	The museum is filled with dynamic, multimedia exhibits that feature the history and development of Louisiana 4-H. (A virtual tour of the museum is available through the website.) Some of the highlights: Timeline of Louisiana 4-H; 4-H Emblem collage; Louisiana 4-H on Parade 3-D diorama; Louisiana 4-H Parish by Parish; Frankie the 4-H Fox at Camp and much more.

Michigan 4-H History Project

Michigan 4-H Foundation
4700 S. Hagadorn Road, #220
East Lansing, MI   48823-5399

Contact:	LuAnne Kozma
Phone:	517.353.5526
E-Mail:
Website:	http://museum/msu.edu/s-program/mtap/4-h/index.html
Description:	The goals of the Michigan 4-H History Project are to: 1) develop an historical collection of 4-H memorabilia that documents the Michigan 4-H experience; 2) tell a collective story of 4-H in Michigan; 3) involve many people in the documentation process - current and former 4-H'ers, 4-H volunteers, and 4-H staff, and others in the community; 4) document 4-H history from a personal perspective, as told in oral history interviews; 5) collect and preserve Michigan's 4-H history; and 6) present the Michigan 4-H story in an exhibit during the Centennial and beyond.
General Contents:	The collection of 4-H historical materials at the MSU Mluseum is decidedly different than the MSU Archives' collections. While the materials at the Archives are primarily documents generated by the 4-H organization, the collecctions the MSU Museum seeks are items collected by individuals. These include objects, photographs, tape-recorded interviews, papers, and other materials a person collected during their lifetime regarding their experiences with 4-H.

Michigan State University Archives

101 Conrad Hall
East Lansing, MI   48824

Contact:
Phone:	517.355.2330
E-Mail:	archives@msu.edu
Website:	http://archives.msu.edu/4hcollections.htm
Description:	Various 4-H history collections are housed at the Michigan State University Archives including photo collections, Michigan Extension 4-H Agents records, Michigan 4-H Foundation records, Cooperative Extension Service records, Ludell Cheney Papers, Jean Stewart Papers, Florine Folks Plumb Papers, Clapp Family Papers, Keats K. Vining Scrapbooks, including a collection inventory of each.
General Contents:	A description and table of contents of each 4-H collection in the MSU Archives is given on the website. The Cooperative Extension Service Records cover 1913-1985 including the Farmers' Institutes; 4-H, Agriculture and Family Living records; Music Extension program files 1930-1976; and Publications, 1914-1985. The Ludell Cheney collections include newspaper clippings, sheet music and the Cheney scrapbook; The Jean Stwart Papers cover her travels to Turkey as an IFYE. All collections are catalogued.

National 4-H Youth Conference Center

7100 Connecticut Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD   20815-4999

Contact:
Phone:	301.961.2800
E-Mail:	info@4-HHistoryPreservation.com
Website:	http://4-HHistoryPreservation.com
Description:	The Center is primarily a national youth conference center with overnight lodging for 700+ and serves as the headquarters for National 4-H Council. The National 4-H History Preservation Program, operated primarilly by volunteers, works under the direction of National 4-H Council and 4-H Headquarters, USDA.
General Contents:	While some of the 4-H history from National 4-H Council has been transferred to the National Agricultural Library and National Archives, there is still a significant amount of historic documents and memorabilia at the Center. This includes a number of the original pieces of artwork from the National 4-H Calendar Program and National 4-H Poster Program.

National Agricultural Library

Abraham Lincoln Building
10301 Baltimore Avenue
Beltsville, MD   20705-2351

Contact:	Susan Fugate
Phone:	301.504.5696
E-Mail:	susan.fugate@ars.usda.gov
Website:	http://www.nal.usda.gov
Description:	The National Agricultural Library is one of four national libraries of the United States, with locations in Beltsville, Maryland and Washington, D.C. It houses one of the world's largest and most accessible agricultural information collections and serves as the nexus for a national network of state land-grant and U.S. Department of Agriculture field libraries.
General Contents:	Much of the National 4-H History contents at the National Agricultural Library is contained in the Elsie Carper Collection (see entry in this database). However, by placing the term "4-H" in the NAL Catalog Quick Search (AGRICOLA) windows for books or articles, several thousand items appear referencing 4-H.

National Archives and Records Administration

8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD   20740-6001

Contact:
Phone:	866.272.6272
E-Mail:
Website:	http://www.archives.gov
Description:	The National Archives is a part of the National Archives and Records Service of the General Services Administration. Here, are gathered the permanent records of our Federal Government's operations - of its military and diplomatic activities and of its domestic administration. Many of the 4-H records and 4-H history housed at the U.S. Department of Agriculture has been transferred to the National Archives over the years.
General Contents:

Nevada 4-H Club Collection

Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center
1664 N. Virginia Street
Reno, NV   89557

Contact:
Phone:	775.784.4636
E-Mail:
Website:	http://www.knowledgecenter.unr.edu/speccoll/mss/83-05.html
Description:	A Guide to the Records of Nevada 4-H Club Collection No. 83-05 located at the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center, University of Nevada, Reno.
General Contents:	This collection on Nevada 4-H is divided into six parts: History and membership; Projects and awards; Leadership education and training; Cooperative Extension; 4-H Club Camp; and Publicity. The history and membership covers 1916-1974. Projects and awards cover 1918-1979 and includes national 4-H awards program winners, project photos, state achievement day and National 4-H Congress. Leadership training covers 1945-1971 including the Western Regional 4-H Leader Forums. 4-H Club Camp files from Lake Tahoe cover 1927-1974. Publicity covers 1918-1979.

North Carolina's Green `N' Growing

North Carolina State University
2 Broughton Drive
Raleigh, NC   27695-7111

Contact:
Phone:	919.515.2273
E-Mail:
Website:	http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/specialcollections/greenngrowing/index.html
Description:	Green `N' Growing is a resource-based research and educational web site developed by the Special Collections Research Center at the North Carolina State University Libraries. Drawing upon the rich historical records fround in the University Archives, the collection provides valuable information about women, children, race relations, education, agriculture, and rural life in North Carolina during the twentieth century.
General Contents:	Through Green `N' Growing, users will be able to access digital reproductions of over 10,000 items, including photographs and pages from pamphlets, reports, and other materials, that document the history of 4-H and Home Deomonstration in North Carolina from the 1900s to the 1970s. To further assist researchers, the site also presents essays on selected topics related to 4-H and Home Deomonstration, guides to primary resource materials held in the University Archives, and an annotated bibliography of books and periodicals related to the history of the organizations in the state.

Oliver Anderson Family 4-H Museum

Maricopa Agricultural Center
37860 West Smith-Enke Road
Maricopa, AZ   85238-3010

Contact:	Dr. Bob Roth, Director
Phone:	520.568.2273
E-Mail:	bobroth@ag.arizona.edu
Website:	http://ag.arizona.edu/aes/mac/
Description:	The first 4-H club in Arizona was organized as the Boys Cotton Club in Chandler by George Peabody in 1913. In 2002 Oliver Anderson, of Maricopa, proposed that a state 4-H museum be created to document the rich history of Arizona's 4-H program. Oliver and Hermina Anderson donated funds toward the creation of the museum as part of the Faul 4-H Ag-Village at the UA's Maricopa Agrcultural Center.
General Contents:	The museum houses over 1,000 historic 4-H photos, record books, and other memorabilia. A portion of the collection is available for viewing online.

Paul C. Taff Papers, 1901-2007

Iowa State University
403 Parks Library, Special Collections
Ames, IA   50011-2140

Contact:
Phone:	515.294.3642
E-Mail:	archives@iastate.edu
Website:	http://www.lib.iastate.edu/arch/rgrp/16-3-56.html
Description:	The collection consists of 14 document boxes, 2 half-document boxes, and 1 oversize box. Paul C. Taff received a B.S. in agriculture from Iowa State University in 1913 and an LLD from Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa in 1949. He trained under Perry G. Holden and bcame Assistant Director of Iowa State Extension Service, 1917-1952. Concurrent with being assistant director, Taff was Iowa State 4-H Club Leader from 1919-1952. Playing a major part in the planning of National 4-H Congress in Chicago, Taff was the only individual to have attended all of the first 50 Congresses.
General Contents:	The Paul C. Taff Papers consists of clippings, Extension photographs, booklets, pamphlets, correspondence and papers documenting Taff's life and work. Many relate to the development of the 4-H movement. A listing of contents is on the website.

Pete Frierson 4-H Museum

Mississippi 4-H Learning Center
1150 Lakeland Drive
Jackson, MS   39216

Contact:	Betty Self, University Archives Asst.
Phone:	662.325.7723
E-Mail:	bself@library.msstate.edu
Website:	http://msucares.com/4h_Youth/4hmuseum/index.html
Description:	On December 8, 2007 the Mississippi 4-H Larning Center and Pete Frierson 4-H Museum was officially opened to the public. It can be found on the grounds of the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum in Jackson, MS, located at the intersection of I-55 and Lakeland Drive.
General Contents:	The museum provides a detailed display of Mississippi 4-H timline history from its beginning in 1907 through today. It holds items made by 4-H'ers over this time, plaques and trophies won by 4-H'ers and key items of historical interest.It holds a library of 4-H individual history in the many record books, club records, and 4-H publications on display at the museum.

Records of the Colorado 4-H

Colorado Agricultural Archive
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO   80523-1019

Contact:
Phone:	970.491.1844
E-Mail:	library_dl_specialcollections@mail.colostate.edu
Website:	http://lib.colostate.edu/archives/findingaids/agriculture/acfh.html
Description:	This collection - consisting of 77.5 linear feet - contains documents and artifacts from the 4-H office of Colorado Extension, including meeting minutes, newsletters, reports, site and program planning documents, reference documents, pamphlets and booklets, publications, photographs, clippings, scrapbooks, annual reports and artifacts.
General Contents:	The 4-H history collection basically covers 1921-2007 - nearly 60 boxes of records and artifacts. In addition to Colorado 4-H history, the collection contains a number of pieces relating to National 4-H Congress in Chicago. National 4-H Club Camp in Washington, DC; IFYE; Citizenship Washington Focus, Collegiate 4-H; Ribbons, trophies and other artifacts are included, and a good collection of photos and slides; National 4-H News issues from 1944-1978. The website lists a thorough inventory of the collection in great detail. This is a valuable 4-H history archive, not only for Colorado, but nationally.

Thomas Bewick Papers

Archives, Wisconsin Historical Society
816 State Street
Madison, WI   53706

Contact:
Phone:	608.264.6460
E-Mail:
Website:	http://www.wisconsinhistory.org
Description:	Thomas L. Bewick was the first State Boys and Girls Club Leader at the University of Wisconsin. Bewick, along with Mrs. May Hatch, local community leader, organized the first 4-H Club in the state - the Linn Junion Farmers Club - on the Hatch Farm in Lake Geneva, Walworth County, on October 30, 1914.
General Contents:	The collection includes papers, correspondence, news clippings, 4-H song sheets and other items relating to 4-H and Extension work in Wisconsin. Call Number: SC 2918 in Archives Main Stacks.

University of Maryland Hornbake Library

Archives and Manuscripts Dept.
2208 Hornbake Library
College Park, MD   20742

Contact:	Anne S. K. Turkos, University Archivist
Phone:	301.405.9060
E-Mail:	aturkos@umd.edu
Website:	http://www.lib.umd.edu/univarchives
Description:	The University Archives serves as the collective memory of the University of Maryland. Established in 1972, the Archives is the official repository for the university's permanent records and memorabilia that document all aspects of campus life. The Archives holds more than one linear mile of paper files, nearly 1,000 linear feet of publications and 500,000 photographs, approximately 7,000 pieces of film and videotape, and almost 1,000 memorabilia objects.
General Contents:	The Hornbake Library contains over 70 boxes of materials from the Maryland State 4-H Office and Maryland State 4-H Foundation. The collection has not been catalogued except for identifying general contents of each box. There are several boxes of historic 4-H photos; most are uncaptioned.

Whitley County Ag Museum & 4-H Learning Center

Whitley County 4-H Park
Columbia City, IN   46725

Contact:	Whitley Co. Extension Office
Phone:	260.244.7615
E-Mail:	contact@whitleycountyagmuseum.com
Website:	http://www.whitleycountyagmuseum.com
Description:	The museum is located in Columbia City just south of U.S. 30 on Lincolnway at the Whitley County 4-H Park. There are more than 20 different learning stations to teach students about the local rural history of the area.
General Contents:	Organized in 2006 to help preserve the area's agricultural heritage and pass the information on to future generations, the museum has a number of learning centers and hands-on activities that make the history come to life for both young people and adults. While the museum is strongly agricultural oriented - not a 4-H museum - 4-H is very much a part of the history and a key audience for the museum.