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Do you only have materials from Wisconsin?
No! In fact, our collections represent many facets of the entertainment industry, with particular strength in Hollywood films from 1930 to 1960, American popular theater in the 1940s and 1950s, and American television from the 1940s to the 1970s. You can find out more about our collections here.
If you’re looking for materials specifically related to Wisconsin, our partners at the Wisconsin Historical Society have a collecting focus in that area.
How did all these Hollywood collections end up in Wisconsin?
Glad you asked! It’s a long and exciting story, and you can read all about it on our History page.
How can I support the WCFTR?
Where can I find out more about WCFTR's collections?
How do I access materials in-person?
We’d love to meet you! In-person access to WCFTR collections is coordinated through the WHS Archives Reading Room and takes place on the fourth floor of the Wisconsin Historical Society building. Materials are requested through the UW Library Catalog. More information is available on our Access to Materials page.
How do I access materials remotely?
We’re sorry you can’t make it, but we’re still happy to help! WCFTR collections do not circulate, but we can offer remote access to digital surrogates. More information about scanning services is available here.
Are any of your collections available online?
Yes! There are a few different ways to access digitized collections and items. The Media History Digital Library is a free online resource, featuring millions of pages of books and magazines from the histories of film, broadcasting, and recorded sound. We also have some paper materials represented in the digital exhibits on our website, with others available on our current projects page. Some of our digitized audiovisual materials are available on the WCFTR’s Internet Archive page.
Due to copyright restrictions and agreements with our donors, some of our digitized material is not publicly available. You can always reach out if you’re wondering about the digital availability of a specific item.
Can I use a photo or scan of a document from the WCFTR in my book or another publication?
It depends! Factors include copyright status, donor agreements, and the details of your project. An overview of rights is available here. Please contact an archivist with specific questions.
Can I use an audio or film clip from the WCFTR in my documentary or another audiovisual project?
Like photos and document scans, it depends! Factors include copyright status, donor agreements, and the details of your project. An overview of rights is available here. Please contact an archivist with specific questions.
I found some old home movies in my closet. What do I do with them?
Congratulations! Here are three options for handling your new discoveries:
- Film Forever is a great resource to learn about caring for your home movies.
- You can always ask the WCFTR film archivist by emailing us at wcftr@commarts.wisc.edu.
- In some cases, we can digitize films from patrons for a fee. Find more information about this process here.
How can I contact an archivist if I have more questions?
We’d love to hear from you! You can reach our staff at wcftr@commarts.wisc.edu.