Welcome to Regional History Center and University Archives
Due to a staff shortage, the NIU Regional History Center and University Archives (RHCUA) can only serve researchers affiliated with Northern Illinois University at this time. The RHCUA remains closed to the general public until January 2021 or until further notice. For NIU affiliated researchers, please consult the Access Policy when requesting materials by email. (Staff are working remotely and are unable to answer your calls.) The Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) has moved to the Government Publications department and can be contacted at (815) 753-1807.
Welcome to the Regional History Center, a unique component of NIU’s commitment to education, research, and public service. The Center’s mission is to acquire, preserve, and make available to the public the most significant historical records of the northern Illinois region. We actively collect from the eighteen northern counties of Illinois excluding Cook County. Since 1977 the Center has grown into a multifaceted research center which houses three related sets of historical records: University Archives, Regional Collections, and Local Government Records (Illinois Regional Archives Depository). The Regional History Center is always adding manuscripts to the collections. Please feel free to contact the center if you believe you have documents that should be preserved for future generations.
Contact Us
Regional History CenterFounders Memorial Library
Room 400
217 Normal Rd
DeKalb, IL 60115-2828
815-753-1779