Special Collections
Explore Our Collections
Washington University 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 highlight the Department’s vital role in scholarship at Washington University 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.
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 Washington University is comprised of original art and printed material from many fields of popular American pictorial graphic culture.
East Asian Library Special Collections
The East Asian Library houses about 800 volumes of rare and special books, manuscripts, and other types of materials in its special collection.
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
The local history collecting area focuses on the history of St. Louis and the surrounding region.
Manuscript Collections
Washington University 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, with more than 125 of these 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 the areas of 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.
University Archives
Washington University Archives chronicles the history of Washington University in St. Louis 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.
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Collection Business History
St. Louis-based company archives. Primarily added in the 1980s, business history is no longer a subject actively collected by the...View Collection about Business History -
Collection The Great Depression Interviews
Each video and transcript details the stories of those struggling and surviving through The Great Depression.View Collection about The Great Depression Interviews -
Collection Materials for the Book of Ephraim
The James Merrill Digital Archive provides digital access to a cross-section from the James Merrill Papers housed in Special Collections.View Collection about Materials for the Book of Ephraim -
Collection America’s War on Poverty
Documentary and interviews covering events that took place after President Johnson declared an "unconditional war on poverty."View Collection about America’s War on Poverty -
Collection Russell Sturgis Photograph Collection
Focuses on European architectural details, topographical views, sculpture, and painting, there are also images from other cities and archaeological sites.View Collection about Russell Sturgis Photograph Collection -
Collection Chinese Special Collection
The Chinese Special Collection includes: About 60 titles (120 volumes) of Chinese printed works produced between 1569 and 1795 About...View Collection about Chinese Special Collection -
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Collection Unreal City
19th century St. Louis fire insurance maps produced by Alphonso Whipple.View Collection about Unreal City -
Collection Music Manuscript Collections
Originating with the purchase of Ernest C. Krohn library in 1966, the archival materials in the Krohn Collection include notebooks,...View Collection about Music Manuscript Collections -
Collection Music Rare Books and Scores
The Gaylord Music Library's Special Collections continues to grow to add many 18th and 19th century items to increase holdings.View Collection about Music Rare Books and Scores -
Collection Sheet Music Collections
The Gaylord Sheet Music Collection represents the accumulation of many private and publisher’s collections, a large segment of which is...View Collection about Sheet Music Collections -
Collection Digital Projects in Music
Include a number of digital projects, including exhibits, publications, and sheet music collections.View Collection about Digital Projects in Music