Welcome to the Columbia Archives, located in Columbia, Maryland. The Columbia Archives is the primary resource on the history of the planning and development of Columbia and the life and career of its visionary founder, James Rouse. It is a service of the Columbia Association. Columbia Archives serves researchers at every level and welcomes residents and visitors who wish to learn more about Columbia’s past, present and future.
 

Closed
Columbia Archives will be closed on Monday, February 20. Click here for details

Communication: Then & Now
Exhibit explores how Columbia communicates about itself. Click here for details

The Mall in Columbia marks its 40th Anniversary
Successful shopping mecca also has history of community gathering space. Click here for details

Opening of The Mall featured on Columbia Matters
Original tenant gives personal account of opening day in video segment exploring history of The Mall. Click here for details

Howard Hughes Corporation donates Columbia planning documents
The “Green Books” reveal the thoughts, possibilities and plans for Columbia Click here for details

January 1971
Columbia Association institutes the Easy Rider mini-bus service to Columbia Town Center and Oakland Ridge Industrial Park and the Call-A-Ride service offering door-to-door service.

January 1976
Howard County Library opens a branch in Long Reach Village Center.

January 1981
Howard County Central Library opens on January 5 finalizing a process that began in 1965 with acknowledgement of the need for a library to serve Howard County’s growing population.

January 1996
Blizzard on January 6 dumps 29 inches of snow in Columbia.

January 2007
The Little Patuxent Review debuts with a tribute to Columbia’s earlier literary journal, The Little Patuxent Revue, which was published from 1977 to 1983.