Hartwick College Bresee Hall cupola

Paul F. Cooper, Jr. Archives

Hartwick College was founded in 1797, under the provisions of the will of John Christopher Hartwick, as the first Lutheran Seminary in America.

The first Seminary building was erected in 1815 on the Hartwick Patent in upstate New York. In 1888 the Classical Department introduced the freshmen year of a collegiate course and in 1928 it expanded to a four-year liberal arts college and was moved to Oneonta, New York. Today, Hartwick College is an independent, liberal arts and sciences college of about 1300 students and 175 faculty.

The College Archives was officially established in 1973 and exists primarily to collect and preserve materials that reflect the biography of John Christopher Hartwick and the educational institutions bearing his name – Hartwick Seminary, Hartwick Academy and Hartwick College. In addition, the Archives houses over thirty special collections.

Hartwick College students outside home in city in 1930
Homecoming Court of Hartwick College 1969
Hartwick Seminary faculty and staff
Hartwick Seminary Women's Basketball Team
Hartwick College President in 1928
Pine Lake students with professor study plants 1970s

Stories from the Archives

Seasons Greetings Through the Years

Artwork has always played an important role in Hartwick holiday cards.

Silver Service and Sisterhood: A Toast to the Hartwick Women’s Club

The Hartwick College Women’s Club was formed in 1934.

A Frightful Flashback to Hartwick History

Legendary film actor Vincent Price shared his passion for art and literature in 1962.

Homecoming, Reunions and Everything in Between

Now known as True Blue Weekend, Hartwick has been mixing and matching versions of this celebration for nearly a century.

A Signature Tradition

Each fall, as they begin their academic journey at Hartwick College, new students take part in one of the College’s most meaningful and enduring traditions: signing the Matriculation Book during Opening Convocation.

From the Archives: 73 Students Make up First Graduates on the Hill

Hartwick College's “Pioneer Class”

Paul F. Cooper, Jr. Archives on Facebook

Follow Us

Contact Us

With questions or to schedule an appointment
607-431-4450
[email protected]