The University Archives contains the historically significant records of the University of Alaska in Fairbanks from its beginning as the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines (1914-1935) to the present, including papers of the Statewide offices of the University of Alaska. These records date back to the school's founding in 1917 and document the growth and development of the university from a rural technical college to a leading research institution.

The University Archives includes papers from past university presidents, records from programs as diverse as the Cooperative Extension Service and the UAF Theatre Department, and materials from prominent faculty and typical students. The university's documentary history exists in many forms: handwritten, typewritten, and published documents, still photographs, film, audio and video tapes, paintings and drawings, maps and architectural blueprints, and memorabilia. The archives also contains a growing collection of electronic records.