In 1895, the Minnesota Legislature authorized a Normal School for Duluth to train elementary school teachers. The original school building was destroyed by fire in 1901 before the school could open, but the Duluth Normal School opened in a reconstructed building in 1902. The name was changed in 1921 to Duluth State Teachers College. In 1947 the college joined the University of Minnesota System and changed its name to the University of Minnesota, Duluth Branch. In 1959 it changed names once again, to the University of Minnesota Duluth.

The UMD Archives collects official publications, photographs, memorabilia and non-current office records of the University of Minnesota Duluth. Contact us for assistance with your research needs or to donate your records.

UMD wasn't always called UMD! Below are the different names that this campus has had since it opened in 1895.

• 1895: State Normal School at Duluth
• 1921: Duluth State Teachers College
• 1947: University of Minnesota, Duluth Branch
• 1959: University of Minnesota, Duluth
• 1999: University of Minnesota Duluth