Members of the general public are welcome to use the materials held at the Wade Center, and there is no fee to do so. Please note that children junior high school age or younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Reading Room use is by appointment, and walk-ins are accommodated as staffing and scheduling allow. Please confirm your visit date with the Wade Center before fillng out a Reading Room application form.* Read the descriptions below to determine which application best describes your intended use of materials. You may complete the form prior to your visit, or at the Wade Center upon your arrival.
Applications remain active January-December of the current year. Subsequent visits during the year do not require a new form.
*Wheaton College staff, faculty, and students follow a different sign-in procedure and are not required to use either of the below forms.
Casual Reader Application
If you are not working on a specific research project or planning a publication, use this application. “Casual Reader” describes those who use Wade Center materials for personal enjoyment or study.
- PDF Form (requires printing)
- Online Form
Researcher Application
Use this application if you are planning a publication (thesis, dissertation, book, article, etc.), or are conducting a research project above the undergraduate college/university level. We request that you inform the archival staff of your plans to research at the Wade Center in advance of your visit to ensure your requested materials are available for you. You must also provide photo identification (driver's license, state ID, passport, etc.) when you arrive.
- PDF Form (requires printing)
- Online Form