Visit the Peace Collection

women protesting the Vietnam War outside the White House

We are open to anyone who would like to explore our collections. Special Collections staff are available to answer questions during reading room hours. Please make an appointment to use our primary sources and historical materials in our reading room.

Overnight Accommodations and Dining

Need to stay overnight near Swarthmore? Located just a few minutes from the College, Pendle Hill is a Quaker study, retreat, and conference center welcoming all for Spirit-led learning and community. Their bed & breakfast service is perfect for short stays. Some of our visitors working on larger research projects choose Pendle Hill for longer-term sabbatical or personal retreat accommodations. Visit the Pendle Hill website for more information.

Find additional options for accommodations on the Swarthmore College Local Lodging page.

The most convenient option is the campus Dining Center, which includes a full service dining hall while classes are in session, and "Essie's Corner" snack bar year round. Essie's offers made-to-order sandwiches and grain bowls, plus a selection of snacks and prepared items. (Note that the two coffee bars on campus, in Kohlberg and Science Center, are keycard-access only, limited to the campus community.)

There are also numerous dining options in the Swarthmore town center near the train station, less than a 10-minute walk away. 
 

Reading Room Resources

See our the Libraries' Special Collections page on Copies + Permissions to learn more about taking photographs, making photocopies, and using microfilm readers in the Reading Room.

How to Find the Peace Collection

The Swarthmore College Peace Collection is located within McCabe Library on the Swarthmore College campus on Route 320 in the Borough of Swarthmore. The McCabe Library Building is located at the center of the campus. It is a large, stone building with long, narrow windows and a mansard roof.

  • Peace Collection materials are delivered to the Special Collections Reading Room, directly to the left as you enter the Library's main doors.
  • Use resources available on the Swarthmore College website's Visit Swarthmore section for campus maps, driving directions and parking information.
Internet Access

Visitors to the Peace Collection will have access to the wireless network SwatGuest. This is a self-service network; simply open your browser and follow the prompts to create a guest account. Consult this guide for more information.