Rudolf G. Schade Archives

The Rudolf G. Schade Archives at Elmhurst College is a special collection that many people including the students do not know about. However, this collection holds many different interesting items such as picutres, diaries, and even an old blue jay costume. A lot of interesting information can be found on the many important people of Elmhurst College from past presidents to respected alumni.

Elmhurst College Library

The Rudolf G. Schade Archives is located in the lower level of the Elmhurst College Library.

Rudolf G. Schade

Rudolf G. Schade was a professor at Elmhurst College who taught history, Greek, and philosophy. He lived from 1908-2000. He came to Elmhurst in 1946 and taught for 32 years. After he retired, he started working on the archives. He had his own unique way of setting it up and the library decided to finish organizing it following his lead. In 1995, he was given an Elmhurst College Founders Medal. Dr. Schade was a highly respected man at Elmhurst College.

General Information about the Archives

The archives are open to people upon request. In order to do any research in the Elmhurst College Archives, one must make an appointment. There are specific rules that need to be followed in the library such as no cell phones or cameras allowed, researchers must write in pencil and be careful not to write on or on top of any documents. They must also wear cotton gloves when they touch old photos or other fragile materials. Researchers have to be accompanied by a member of the library staff and the staff member must bring any document to the researcher. While going through the documents, the researcher can only take out one file folder at a time and they have to put everything back before they are able to look at anything else. All of the materials from the archives must remain in the archives. There is nothing that may be checked out. The materials that are in the archives were either obtained by the college or donated by other people. Some people have donated their diaries and pictures to the college. Others have donated their entire collection of records. Many people do not know that the Elmhurst College Archives exists, and if they do, they do not know all of the interesting information that can be found in it. Only about 45 people come to look up information in the archives each year!

Dedication to Rudolf G. Schade

On Tuesday January 23, a small group of administration, staff, students, and family members of Dr. Schade gathered in the Rudolf G. Schade Archives at Elmhurst College. A few of the people who attended spoke about Dr. Schade and all of the great things that he has done for Elmhurst College and the archives was dedicated to him.

Remembering Dr. Schade

At the dedication there were chocolate cigars and packets with information about Dr. Schade and his life that were offered to all of the people who attended.