Center for American War Letters Archives

Welcome to the Center for American War Letters Archives!!

My name is Andy and I am the Archivist for CAWLA, located in the lower level of the Leatherby Libraries at Chapman University. We are a relatively new archives but our collection is one of the largest of its kind, and still growing!

We are committed to the scholarly discussion of the American war experience through the ongoing collection and preservation of correspondence and other artifacts from every American conflict.

The Archives actively preserves and promotes the research of original correspondence and other materials from all American conflicts; from the American War for Independence through the present day. This includes letters, postcards, V-Mail and email, or any other medium upon which correspondence was kept, as well as supplementary materials including photographs, ephemera, or realia sent to or from American service members, their families, and all those involved in American conflicts at home or abroad. Also found in the collection are materials not sent but collected during wartime; including journals and diaries, newspaper clippings and scrapbooks, as well as alternate forms of media including audio and video recording.

The goal of the Archives is to make available one of the largest and most unique collections of materials in the country to researchers and scholars, so that they may not only contribute to the scholarly discussion on war and its effects, but also add to the narrative of the American experience and bring a voice to the individual at war.

Through our collection, we are committed to promoting research, community outreach, and exhibitions that display the fascinating materials and captivating narratives preserved in the Archives. All of this is aimed toward expanding scholarship and a deeper understanding of how America and its citizens are affected by war. 

Although the exhibit is open to the public, the Center for American War Letters Archives includes a reading room where researchers may request and research specific materials in person. Whenever possible, please schedule an appointment in advance to avoid scheduling conflicts and to receive the highest quality assistance. As an archivist as well as historian alumnus from Chapman, with a master’s degree in War and Society, I look forward to providing students and fellow researchers with expert assistance in using these valuable primary sources.

Hours:

By appointment:  Monday - Friday, 1:00pm - 5:00pm 

I hope this Lib Guide, which contains information about who we are and how to contact the Archives, as well as how to use our materials, aids you in your research as you begin the process of writing an academic paper, journal article, or scholarly book. We also greatly appreciate you spreading the word to fellow students and faculty, colleagues and other researchers.

Thank you very much for your time and I look forward to helping you take advantage of this vast resource.

Sincerely,
Andrew Harman, M.A., C.A.
Archivist, Center for American War Letters Archives