The mission of the Wesleyan College Archives is to promote knowledge and understanding of the origins, experiences, programs, and goals of Wesleyan College and its special role in the education of women. In accomplishing the mission, the Archives will identify, appraise, collect, organize, describe, make available, and preserve records that document the history and development of Wesleyan College; provide adequate facilities for housing and preserving such records;and serve teaching, research, and scholarship by making available and encouraging the use of its collections.
Wesleyan College Archives include manuscripts, documents, and artifacts which reflect the history of Wesleyan.
With age comes wisdom and Wesleyan certainly has a lot of knowledge about her history. Are you looking for old Wesleyan publications, Lamar Lectures, STUNT performances, Soong Sisters information, or details about sororities founded on the Wesleyan campus? If so, the Collections page is a great place to start.
We are currently in the process of digitizing Wesleyan College publications. The Alumnae Magazines, Student Newspapers, Literary Magazines, Catalogs, and Yearbooks have been scanned by Archvies Assistants Katelyn Gatliff, Madeline Gisclair, Kennedy Jones, Christina Micola von Furstenrecht, and Olivia Moore. Read through a decades of Welseyan history while sitting at your computer. Begin exploring our Digital Collections here.
Special Collections Rooms are located on the third floor of the library and are available for research by appointment only. Only pencil and notepad are allowed in the Georgia Room. Photography is allowed in the Georiga Room, with permission from the Librarian. Other personal items may be left at the Circulation Desk on the first floor or in lockers provided on the second floor.
Opened in 2005, the Wesleyan College Georgia Room houses a special collection of gifts and memorabilia donated to the school on behalf of three of the college's most illustrious international students - the Soong Sisters. In the early 1900's the three daughters of well-known Chinese missionary and industrialist, Charles Soong, attended the school. Their futures, as well as Wesleyan College's, were never the same after their time here.
The three Soong Sisters were the first Chinese women to be educated in the U.S. The oldest sister, Ailing, attended Wesleyan from 1904-1909. When she returned to China, she married H.H. Kung - a prominent figure in the Chinese financial world and the Nationalist party - and became Madame Kung, matron of the legendary Kung family. Items on display from Ailing are photos, correspondence from fellow alumnae, and other memorabilia.
The second sister, Ching Ling, attended Wesleyan College from 1908-1913. Upon her return to China, she married Sun-Yat Sen, founder of the Chinese Nationalist movement and the "George Washington of China." Ching Ling, to this day, is revered as the Mother of China. The Soong Ching-Ling Foundation has graced Wesleyan College with many gifts including traditional Chinese paintings, vases, plates and embroideries. Also in the China Room collection are photos and correspondence from Ching-Ling to other Wesleyannes.
The youngest sister, May-ling, came to Wesleyan College at the tender age of ten and remained at the school from 1908-1913. She was the only sister not to graduate from the school. Yet, she generously remembered the college and fellow students throughout her lifetime. May-ling Soong married General Chiang Kai-Shek in 1927 and for the next eight decades represented Free China as the country's First Lady. Wesleyan is proud to have a varied collection of gifts, photos and correspondence from Madame Chiang to the school and to fellow students and faculty, including memorabilia from her two visits to Macon in 1943 and 1965.
Wesleyan College has a special relationship with the people of China and has been the gracious recipient of gifts from foundations and visiting dignitaries. Many of the items are on display in the Georgia Room as well as other prominent locations around campus. For more about the Soong Sisters, click here!
Please contact Virginia Blake.
Monday-Friday 1:00pm-5:00pm,
or by appointment, Monday - Friday
The Library and Archives are closed Saturday - Sunday
See our archives FAQ page for more information.
Wesleyan College is privileged to steward many arts and cultural events and share them with the community. Most are free and open to the public. Wesleyan art galleries are open M-F 1-5PM and on Wesleyan Market Saturdays from 10AM-2PM.
Event listing
Tour our beautiful 200-acre campus featuring Georgian architecture, lush green spaces, recreational facilities, residence halls, and worship center.
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Wesleyan College is home to five NCAA Division III sports: soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and softball. In addition, we offer an award-winning Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Equestrian program.
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