Columbus State University’s Archives & Special Collections has planned a day-long celebration on Thursday, Nov. 6, to mark the end of its year-long series of events celebrating its 50th anniversary. University students and employees, along with patrons and community members, are invited to a daytime open house and evening lecture.
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., an open house [map] will feature behind-the-scenes tours led by the Archives & Special Collections team. At the top of every hour, visitors can learn from archival experts while exploring rare and centuries-old manuscripts, vintage photographs and local history collections. Tours will detail how archives are preserved, cataloged and digitized—including a special peek inside the Archives’ vault.
The archival team will also share about educational and research efforts for Columbus State students and community members, family genealogy and other historical topics.
Guests can enjoy cake to celebrate the Archives’ founding during their visit and take home some free commemorative anniversary keepsakes.
At 6 p.m. that same day at the Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center auditorium [map], the Archives will host and celebrate a panel of past Archives leaders, including John Lupold, Callie McGinnis, Merryll Penson and Reagan Grimsley. Each will offer observations of the Archives’ growth over the past half-century. Refreshments will be available starting at 5:30 p.m.
Established in 1975, Columbus State’s Archives has preserved the community’s past and documented the lives and experiences of the people who call this area home. Kicked off in February 2025, monthly programs during the calendar year have focused on its efforts to preserve and document the history of the university, the city of Columbus and the broader Chattahoochee Valley region. The series included monthly lectures and exhibits celebrating the area’s local history, including the highly popular 50-foot scrambled dog to celebrate the city’s culinary history in May.
