UWRF University Archives & Area Research Center

UWRF University Archives & Area Research Center We collect and preserve materials that document the history of UWRF and Northwestern Wisconsin. Croix Counties.

Located in room 170 in the lower level of the Chalmer Davee Library at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, the University Archives and the River Falls Area Research Center operate within one facility but are two distinct entities, each with their own collections. The UW-River Falls University Archives is the official repository for the permanent, historical records of the University of Wiscon

sin-River Falls. The River Falls Area Research Center (ARC) is one of fourteen research facilities in a University of Wisconsin System statewide network in coordination with the Wisconsin Historical Society. The River Falls ARC provides students, faculty, and the general public local access to historical materials, local government records, manuscripts, newspapers, and historical and genealogical materials representing the region encompassing Burnett, Pierce, Polk, and St. Social Media Statement
Official UW-River Falls (UWRF) social media accounts are maintained by University Marketing
and Communications (UMC). Other social media accounts affiliated with UWRF (departments,
clubs, organizations, etc.) may also be authorized by UMC in accordance with its policies. Any links to external content posted in this account are not endorsements. UWRF is not
responsible for the views or content contained therein. UWRF reserves the right to remove any content that is off topic, obscene, a violation of
intellectual property rights or privacy laws, commercial, or otherwise illegal or not germane to
the subject matter of the institutional post. By submitting content to a UWRF social media
account, users acknowledge that they are fully responsible for that content. Users also acknowledge that the information they post is available to the public. UWRF may use
posted content for internal or external promotional purposes. Other users may use posted
content beyond the control of UWRF. Users who do not wish to have their posts or content
used, published, copied and/or reprinted, should not post on UWRF social media accounts. For questions regarding this statement, contact UMC at [email protected] or 715-425-3771

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Images below are from commencement day, Spring 2006.
05/09/2026

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!
Images below are from commencement day, Spring 2006.

Interesting find by one of our researchers today. A letter from the H.L. Dousman Family Papers, on loan from the Wiscons...
04/03/2026

Interesting find by one of our researchers today. A letter from the H.L. Dousman Family Papers, on loan from the Wisconsin Historical Society.
Dated April 6, 1858. From H.S. Allen at Chippewa Falls to Col. H.L. Dousman, providing details of a local disaster. Water and ice have wrecked the mill and loosed the lumber in the booms. Worst damage he’s ever seen. Thieves are stealing, we’re rushing to rebuild, we need the “means” to rebuild, assumes he and Dousman can talk.

What tidbits of information can you make out?

[image descriptions: three images of handwritten letters]

Check out our latest blog post by Archives student assistant Kinsey!
04/03/2026

Check out our latest blog post by Archives student assistant Kinsey!

Distinguished Alumni of UW River Falls Since 1959, the University of Wisconsin–River Falls has honored exceptional graduates through the Distinguished Alumnus Award; one of the university’s most me…

04/01/2026

Request for photos

Liesl and Aaron Nelson currently own the old Carnegie library at 304 Locust Street. They are interested in any interior or exterior photos you may have of the old library that could be used in a future display. Any photos can be placed in the comments here or emailed to [email protected]. Thanks in advance!

(Postcard from personal collection)

Do you have photos or memories of the Swinging Bridge? Share them to help celebrate the upcoming 100th Anniversary!
03/12/2026

Do you have photos or memories of the Swinging Bridge? Share them to help celebrate the upcoming 100th Anniversary!

Happy Valentine’s Day from the Archives!Love is in the air… and in the Archives! These charming “I Heart” buttons from U...
02/14/2026

Happy Valentine’s Day from the Archives!

Love is in the air… and in the Archives! These charming “I Heart” buttons from UWRF Series 229 are a sweet reminder that Falcon pride never goes out of style. Whether they were pinned to a denim jacket, backpack, or lanyard, these little buttons share a big message: love for UWRF!

Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating the people and places that mean the most to us. For generations of students, alumni, faculty, and staff, UWRF has been the place where friendships began, passions were discovered, and lifelong memories were made.

These small pieces of memorabilia capture that feeling perfectly, because sometimes the simplest designs say it best.

What do you love most about UWRF? Share your favorite campus memory in the comments and help us spread the Falcon love today!

Be sure to check out this FREE event through the Wisconsin Historical Society!
02/09/2026

Be sure to check out this FREE event through the Wisconsin Historical Society!

Join us for Wisconsin Genealogy Day on Saturday February 21 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. During this FREE virtual event you will learn from expert speakers about how to research your Wisconsin and Midwestern ancestors.

Presentations include:
✔️ “Researching Wisconsin Ancestors” by Rebecca Hopman
✔️“Tracing Early African American Legacies in the Midwest” by Mica L. Anders
✔️“Beyond Vital Records: Useful Government Resources for Genealogists” by Eileen Snyder
✔️“Norwegians in the Midwest” by Dana Kelly.

This webinar will be recorded and made available to registered attendees for 30 days.

Space is limited. Reserve your spot today!

Register: https://wihist.org/wgd

This event is sponsored by the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society (WSGS).

Early access to local history records on campus was possible due to partnership with the Pierce Count Historical Associa...
12/22/2025

Early access to local history records on campus was possible due to partnership with the Pierce Count Historical Association.

Our organization's annual meeting in 1953. The announcement of our early collection to be stored at the UWRF Chalmer Davee Library.

-July 23, 1953 Ellsworth Record

(Thanks Dan Geister for sharing)

Reminder: We will be closed for the next two weeks. Before we go, we want to wish recent UWRF Grad and Archives Student ...
12/19/2025

Reminder: We will be closed for the next two weeks. Before we go, we want to wish recent UWRF Grad and Archives Student Assistant, Juliana Graff, on her future endeavors. Learn more about Juliana and her work in the Archives!

With the 2025 fall semester coming to a close, the University of River Falls Archives and Area Research Center has to say goodbye to one of our graduating seniors, Miss Juliana …

Commencement Day, circa 1950s, when the commencement ceremony was held in the North Hall Auditorium. This Saturday, Dece...
12/12/2025

Commencement Day, circa 1950s, when the commencement ceremony was held in the North Hall Auditorium. This Saturday, December 13, we celebrate the 308 graduating students of the Fall Class of 2025.

Address

330 E Cascade Avenue
River Falls, WI
54022

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 3pm
Tuesday 10am - 3pm
Wednesday 10am - 3pm
Thursday 10am - 3pm
Friday 10am - 3pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when UWRF University Archives & Area Research Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to UWRF University Archives & Area Research Center:

Shortcuts

Share

Category