William Freeman Galpin was named university historian in 1942 and continued to work on a several volume history of Syracuse after retirement from active teaching. He was chairman of Syracuse's history department from 1948 to 1951.

Researchers interested in the William Freeman Galpin Papers should specify the box number when contacting the Syracuse University Archives. Please mention the collection's Record Group (13) in any correspondence with the Archives. Please note that the collection is housed off-site and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Archives Reading Room in E. S. Bird Library.