What is a Finding Aid?

A finding aid is a document that guides a researcher through the contents and context of a collection. Finding aids include information on the record creator and the special collection materials. They also give researchers a sense of how a collection is arranged. A "container list" will detail what's inside the box, and sometimes, what is inside folders within a box.

Harmful Language in Archives

The Champaign County Historical Archives at The Urbana Free Library is committed to developing inclusive collections that capture the diverse history of our communities. However, some language used in our collections and collection descriptions may be outdated or harmful. Please refer to our statement on Harmful Language in Archives to learn how we are addressing language concerns in our collections.

Using the Collections

If you are interested in viewing these materials, call 217-367-4025 or email archives@urbanafree.org.
Allow 48 hours for retrieval.

See our How to Order Copies page for details if you cannot make it to the Library.

Chanute Collections

200.001 Commanding Officers

200.002 Subject Files: Buildings

200.003 Subject Files: Aircraft

200.004 75-Year Pictorial History

200.005 Subject Files: Prisoners of War/Missing in Action

200.006 Subject Files: Historiography

200.007 Certificates

200.008 Technical Training

200.009 Non-Commissioned Officers

200.010 Department Histories

200.011 Clubs and Committees

200.012 Newsletters

200.013 Subject Files: Octave Chanute

200.014 Building Records

200.015 Youth Center

200.016 Base Administration Files

200.017 Personnel Files

200.018 Base Histories

200.019 Chanute Suites Guest Books

200.020 Open House Files

200.021 Base Closures Files

200.022 Years Files

200.023 Graphics

200.024 Chanute Air Museum

200.025 Newspapers

200.026 Chanute Heritage Committee USAF Display

200.027 Photographs

200.028 Promotional and Event Materials

200.029 Reports and Plans