Special Collections
Explore Our Collections
WashU Libraries collect, preserve, promote, and make accessible rare, archival, and primary source materials that enrich teaching, learning, and research for the university community and beyond.
The Julian Edison Department of Special Collections focuses on six primary areas: the Dowd Illustration Research Archive, Film & Media Archive, Local History, Manuscripts, Rare Books, and the University Archives. An active program of class visits, exhibitions, workshops, and public events highlights the department’s vital role in scholarship at WashU and the wider community.
To search our collections, visit the Special Collections Research & Access page.
To learn more about giving to Special Collections, visit the Donating to Special Collections page.
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Collection George N. Meissner Collection
Fine books from the 15th century to the present, including early illuminated manuscripts and incunabula.View Collection about George N. Meissner Collection -
Collection Eric Gill Collection
Documents Eric Gill’s interests and activities over the course of his lifetime.View Collection about Eric Gill Collection -
Collection Movable Book Collection
Books with moving parts have been around for centuries and encompass all genres. The Movable Book Collection holds books and...View Collection about Movable Book Collection -
Collection Mary Jo Bang
The Mary Jo Bang Papers consists of manuscripts and an assortment of materials relating to the artist's work outside of...View Collection about Mary Jo Bang -
Collection Eugene O’Neill
Materials related to the life and work of Eugene O’Neill along with first editions of the playwright’s works located in...View Collection about Eugene O’Neill -
Collection A. E. Hotchner
The A. E. Hotchner Papers consist of manuscript, editorial material, scripts for Hemingway adaptations, correspondence, photographs, and other memorabilia.View Collection about A. E. Hotchner -
Collection A Regular Bouquet Collection
Richard Beymer's works, including footage from his time working with the Freedom Summer volunteers from SNCC, is preserved with the...View Collection about A Regular Bouquet Collection -
Collection Steve Carver Collection
The Steve Carver Collection contains photographs and publicity material related to the production of More Than One Thing, a 1969...View Collection about Steve Carver Collection -
Collection Paradigm Productions Collection
Materials related to two Paradigm films dealing with issues of social justice and inclusion.View Collection about Paradigm Productions Collection -
Collection Judy Richardson Personal Papers
Judy Richardson made her mark as a film producer, editor, and lecturer and continues to conduct workshops for teaching the...View Collection about Judy Richardson Personal Papers -
Collection River Styx: Liberating the Spoken Word
The River Styx pioneered a multicultural, community‐based approach to literature that was new to St. Louis and much of the...View Collection about River Styx: Liberating the Spoken Word -
Collection Professor Kevin Herbert’s Slide Collection
The Kevin Herbert Papers include a small selection of slides used in his coursework on the subjects of Alexander &...View Collection about Professor Kevin Herbert’s Slide Collection
Collecting Areas
Digital Collections
Digital Collections highlight those portions of the Julian Edison Department of Special Collections that have been made or born-digital.
Dowd Illustration Research Archive
The Dowd Illustration Research Archive (formerly Dowd Modern Graphic History Library) at WashU includes original art and printed material from many popular American pictorial graphic culture fields.
East Asian Library Special Collections
The East Asian Library's special collection includes about 900 volumes of rare and special books, manuscripts, and other materials.
Film & Media Archive
The Archive is committed to the preservation of documentary film and other media which chronicles America's great political and social movements with a particular emphasis on the African-American experience.
Kranzberg Art & Architecture Library Special Collections
The Art & Architecture Special Collections is a 4,200-volume collection of rare and unique art and design printed materials located at the Kranzberg Art & Architecture Library. The main focus is illustrated books, prints, and photographs from the 18th and 19th centuries and contemporary book design.
Local History Collections
The local history collecting area focuses on the history of St. Louis and the surrounding region.
Manuscript Collections
WashU Libraries' Julian Edison Department of Special Collections Manuscript collections contain a broad range of materials dating from the 2nd century BC through the present.
Modern Literature Collection
The Modern Literature Collection includes more than 175 authors, presses, and journals, more than 125 of which are represented by manuscript materials.
Music Special Collections
Special Collections at the Gaylord Music Library include sheet music, manuscripts, rare books, and digital materials.
Rare Book Collections
The Rare Book Collections include books from all Special Collection areas. The collections’ primary strengths are in literature, the material culture of the book, including the history of printing, graphic design, and the book arts, and aspects of American and world history.
Washington University Archives
The University Archives chronicles the history of WashU from 1853 to today with over 300 unique collections, including campus publications, reports, photographic prints and negatives, books, film, sound recordings, oral histories, architectural plans, and artifacts.