Archives

In 1994, the Catawba Cultural Preservation Project (CCPP) was designated by the Catawba Indian Nation Executive Committee to act as the repository for the collection, preservation, and promotion of the tribe's history and culture. As part of the Executive Committee's directive, the Catawba Cultural Center Archives seeks to collect official records, private manuscripts, family photographs, and other records relating to the Catawba Nation, its people, and its lands. As part of CCPP, the Archives promotes the research and study of Catawba history.

The Archives houses over 100 cubic feet of historical records covering the period from the early 1800's to the present. As the designated records repository for the Catawba Indian Nation, the CCPP preserves the historically significant records of the Tribal government and its committees. The Manuscript Collection consists of letters, journals, oral histories, land lease agreements, and family photographs relating genealogical information and social history of Catawba Indians.

The Archives also curates an Artifact Collection. A special section of the Archives houses examples of the Catawba's ancient pottery tradition, projectile points, gorgets and beadwork, as well as gaming and grinding stones. The Archives collection is an important source of information on the leasing of Catawba lands, reservation life, relationship to state and federal government, cultural traditions, military service, the land settlement of 1993, genealogy, the Catawba language, and our pottery tradition.

The Archives also holds the tribal Seed Library which provides free, patent-free seeds to Catawba Indian Nation and tribal members.

The Archives is located on the lower level of the Catawba Cultural Center building and is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, by appointment. All collections are open under the rules and regulations of the Archives and in accordance with standard archival practices. Restrictions may apply to collections.

If a patron is not able to visit the Archives in person, the Archivist may be able to perform research, provide copies, and digitally or physically mail the research to the patron for a fee. Please call for a pricing schedule on these services.

To contact the tribal Archivist, Ensley Guffey, please call (803) 328-7367 or email ensley.guffey@catawba.com. To search the archives online, click here.