The Wade Center was founded for the purpose of gathering and publicizing the books, manuscripts, letters, and other writings of seven noted British authors: Owen Barfield, G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, Dorothy L. Sayers, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Charles Williams. This special collection and archives is a tribute to the importance of the literary, historical, and Christian heritage of these writers. Together, these seven authors form a school of thought, as they valued and promoted the life of the mind and the imagination. Through service to those who use its resources and by making known the words of its seven authors, the Wade Center strives to continue their legacy.

We pursue this goal by:

• making the collection’s materials accessible to researchers and casual visitors, in our  reading room and museum
• maintaining an educational presence through  publications and lectures
• cultivating a network of professional contacts through participation in conferences, and collaboration with other organizations that share our goals

If you would like to participate in furthering the work of the Wade Center, we invite you to become a part of the Friends of the Wade. Members of this program provide tax-deductible donations which support those expenses and designated purchases that are not covered by our endowment.

Due to the generosity and efforts of many individuals, the Wade Center has developed over the years into an internationally recognized repository and research facility. Interest in the seven authors of the Wade Center continues to grow, resulting in ever-increasing opportunities for us to serve visitors of all ages from around the world.

The Wade Center is open to the general public as well as the Wheaton College community.