Welcome to the UCLA History Project.

The UCLA History Project is capturing and recording a full account of our beloved alma mater, from its humble beginnings to its current standing as one of the world’s most prestigious public research universities. We invite all Bruins – and the extended UCLA family – to be a part of this monumental endeavor.

We will be delving into the untold number of historical documents and photographs preserved in UCLA’s archives and other campus units. But we are committed to going beyond what is already here – interviewing many members of the UCLA community and searching for materials and information that may be on the verge of becoming permanently lost or forgotten.

This is the first time that UCLA has taken on such a large-scale formal collection of items pertaining to its history. The effort is a collaboration between the UCLA Alumni Association and Gold Shield, Alumnae of UCLA.

Much of the material gathered will serve as background for UCLA’s second history book to be published in fall 2009. The new book will document the university’s entire lifespan, revisiting the campus’s formative years through the present time.

The last comprehensive history of UCLA was written more than 35 years ago, when Andrew Hamilton ’35, a journalist and UCLA public affairs officer, and John B. Jackson ’27, manager of the UCLA Publications Service and former executive director of the UCLA Alumni Association, coauthored UCLA on the Move. Published in 1969, their book chronicled UCLA’s first 50 years, and was released to coincide with the University of California’s centennial.

In addition to producing the updated book, our plan is that this Web site will grow in scope, and become a living resource of UCLA history. We hope the information offered here will rekindle old memories and inspire new discussions of UCLA's legacy.

For other notable moments in UCLA's history, visit the James West Alumni Center and browse UCLA Through the Years. Featuring snapshots in time and artifacts from UCLA's past, the exhibit will be on view indefinitely in the West Center. Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free; parking on campus is $8. Call (310) 825-2586.