About OPM Archives
The OPM Archives holds records of historic significance for Oshkosh and the Lake Winnebago Region, such as papers, photographs, audiovisual materials, and more. OPM Archives are home to materials related to areas of Oshkosh history like people, businesses, and community organizations. Our Archival Collection is organized into several categories:
Record Groups are large collections of related material created by one person, family, or entity, such as the Sawyer Family Collection or the Deltox Grass Rug Company Collection. Finding aids for Record Groups are available upon request.
Small Collections are made up of materials like letters, pamphlets, or diaries that fall under a general subject area, like People and Ethnic Communities or Education and Schools.
Photographs include daguerreotypes, glass plate negatives, glossy and matte prints, and more.
Other Materials include maps, blueprints, posters, sheet music, and oral histories.
Collection Highlight: Daguerreotype of Menominee Chief Oshkosh, OPM #53.1
Historic Photographs
Thousands of images in the Museum's Collection have been digitized for research or reproduction through our online database.
OPM can provide digital copies of historic images upon request. To request a digital copy from the database, select an image and then click the “Request Image” camera icon or contact OPM Archives for assistance.
Only a small portion of our Archival Collections are available online. To inquire about other holdings, contact OPM Archives for additional assistance.
Collection Highlight: Mary Mears Archival Collection of Wisconsin artist Helen Farnsworth Mears, OPM Permanent Collections
Donate to the Archives
The OPM Archives collects items such as original photographs, correspondences, diaries, and various media (e.g. film) that represent the Oshkosh area and its people. Examples include items that illustrate daily life, important events, the local landscape, industry, recreation, and more.
If you have artifacts that you believe help tell these stories, then we would like to hear from you. Contact us to tell us more!
Collection Highlight: "Italian Family Seeking Lost Luggage" by Lewis Hine, OPM #6914.13
Research Appointments
All archival research visits require a pre-arranged appointment. Research appointments are provided at no cost to the researcher and are generally available during open hours Tuesday-Friday. Appointment scheduling is dependent on staff and space availability. Inquiries should be made at least two weeks in advance of your intended visit. The OPM archival collection is not a browsing collection; the stacks are not open to the public. Materials that you wish to access for research purposes should be communicated at the time of appointment scheduling. Please contact the OPM archives for more information.
