May 4 Collection

National History Day Help

Information Packet

The Department of Special Collections and Archives has created an information packet for students interested in May 4. Included in this packet are photocopies of selected primary sources such as letters, photographs, articles, along with a chronology of events and the University's May 4 Memorial brochure.

Please contact the Department of Special Collections and Archives to request an information packet.

This packet is primarily intended for individual off-campus researchers who cannot easily use the May 4 Collection in person. Faculty members are urged to contact the Department of Special Collections and Archives if they would like to request packets for students in their courses.

Research Sources Available in the May 4 Collection

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions page for information on the most common questions asked.

Primary sources

The May 4 Collection contains a wealth of primary sources such as letters, audio recordings, and photographs related to the Kent State shootings and their aftermath. The best way to utilize these sources is to come in person to use the collection.

To view a detailed list of the contents of the May 4 Collection (with links to finding aids), see our Collection Contents page. For subject access to the collection, use the Collection Index which also links to finding aids.

The Special Collections and Archives Web site also includes selected digitized materials such as the following:

• Kent State Shootings Oral History Project (digital audio recordings and text transcripts)
• Selected photographs from the May 4 Collection
• Telegrams and letters in the Linda Lyke, papers

Secondary Sources

An annotated bibliography of selected books, articles, and Web sites is available.