Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research
Take a Closer Look!
The Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research (WCFTR) is one of the world's major archives of research materials related to the entertainment industry. The WCFTR is part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Communication Arts Department and works closely with the Wisconsin Historical Society in carrying out its mission.
Explore the CollectionThe four founders of United Artists, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, and D.W. Griffith. ID:W013KCW
Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research
The WCFTR actively collects the papers and audiovisual materials from companies and individuals who have contributed to the fields of film, television, theater, and new media.
The WCFTR maintains over three hundred collections from outstanding playwrights, television and motion picture writers, producers, actors, designers, directors, and production companies. Materials preserved include: historical records and personal papers, twenty thousand motion pictures, television shows, and videotapes; two million still photographs and promotional graphics; and several thousand sound recordings. It is richest in records of the American film industry between 1930 and 1960, American popular theater in the 1940s and 1950s, and American television from the 1940s to the 1970s.
Housed in the Society’s Archives, the WCFTR is one of the world’s most accessible archives and is regularly visited by researchers from around the world. Research undertaken in its collections has revolutionized the scholarship of American cinema, theater, and television. Each year, hundreds of scholars from around the world, as well as creative artists and the interested public, consult our archives and produce important works that draw on the information and visual materials contained in our collections. Our staff can assist researchers looking for materials.
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FAQs About WCFTR Collections
You can email a WCFTR archivist.
No! In fact, WCFTR 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.
Glad you asked! It’s a long and exciting story, and you can read all about it on our History page.
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.
If you can't make it in person, WCFTR collections do not circulate, but we can offer remote access to digital surrogates. More information about scanning services is available here.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- In some cases, we can digitize films from patrons for a fee. Find more information about this process here.
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Library & Archives
Perhaps the best way to begin exploring our collections is by visiting us in person. In our reading rooms, you’ll find free and unparalleled access to our collections, helpful staff and amenities, and perhaps, your very own story.
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Your Story is Wisconsin's Story
History is made every day, everywhere. Since 1846, contributions from people across the state have helped us fulfill our mission to collect, preserve and tell the stories of Wisconsin.
Find Out HowLast Updated: June 10, 2026
