NORMAL -- Looks like Normal is the new home for all things Brady -- as in "The Brady Bunch."

Illinois State University announced Tuesday its library will house a special collections archive about the 1960s pop culture phenomena.

"As far as I know, this will be the first of its kind," said Ted Nichelson, an ISU alum and author of "Love to Love You Bradys," a book focusing on the sitcom's 1970s variety hour spin-off.

Nichelson spoke at ISU's Milner Library on Tuesday as part of homecoming week, and signed copies of the book. He said he hopes donating his research materials acts as a seed.

"Now that we've established this, now that ISU will house it, I hope other cast members and others affiliated with "The Brady Bunch" will add to the collection," he said.

Another ISU connection to the show is alum Gary Cole, who starred as Mike Brady in two films parodying the sitcom.

Among items Nichelson gives to ISU are scripts and sheet music from the variety show, as well as original newspaper and magazine clips.

Toni Tucker, an ISU librarian, said possibilities for its use include the School of Communication using the materials in courses on television. Nichelson worked in Milner's special collections area while an ISU grad student.

Nichelson's presentation, moderated by WGLT-FM's Laura Kennedy, drew about 30 people. As part of the multimedia program he showed clips from the variety show (created by Sid and Marty Krofft).

Actress Susan Olsen, who played Cindy Brady also took part in Tuesday's event, via speaker phone. She answered questions about life as a Brady, and her role on the variety show.

Olsen praised Nichelson for taking a scholarly approach to studying the 1970s television variety genre, but presenting the material in a way that made a fun coffee-table book full of kitsch for everyday people to enjoy.

"There is a certain trivialness to it. But, it's so much a part of American culture, too," said Nichelson, of the Brady culture.

Nichelson earned several degrees including a bachelor's degree at Illinois Wesleyan University, and a master of music degree at ISU. He is a writer, musician, entrepreneur and pop culture historian.

Besides the book, Nichelson operates the Web site, "Complete Guide to the Brady Bunch Hour." He also designed the "The Official Geri Reischl Website," celebrating the actress who replaced Eve Plumb as Jan Brady in "The Brady Bunch Hour." Reischl has come to be known as "Fake Jan."