Special Collections & Archives

News and more from ZSR’s Special Collections & Archives

Byron’s Don Juan

Some have accused me of a strange design Against the creed and morals of the land, And trace it in this poem every line: I don’t pretend that I quite understand My own meaning when I would be very fine; But the fact is that I have nothing plann’d, Unless it was to be a... Continue reading “Byron’s Don Juan”

Baptist Echoes From the Past

Cultural insight emerges from the NC Baptist Historical Collection housed within ZSR’s Special Collections and Archives, particularly from over a thousand reel-to-reel audio recordings from the middle 20th century that are currently available online within the Baptist State Convention of NC Digital Collection. Approximately 1,100 recordings captured during a span of a half century –... Continue reading “Baptist Echoes From the Past”

Transcription Update from SCA Volunteer Shannon Bothwell

Shannon Bothwell, a dedicated volunteer in ZSR Special Collection and Archives, offers this reflection on her work to transcribe an entire volume of records for a historically significant North Carolina church. Transcribing the Minutes of Cashie Baptist Church, Volume 1 (1791-1832) Bringing hidden treasures into the light is a signature activity of archivists everywhere, and... Continue reading “Transcription Update from SCA Volunteer Shannon Bothwell”

What Are You working On? with Meg Campbell

Please enjoy an end-of-year “What Are You working On?” blog post written by Senior (and ZSR Student Employee of the Year!) Meg Campbell. Hi! My name is Meg Campbell and I am a graduating senior from Asheville, NC, majoring in English and minoring in Spanish, Chemistry, and Dance! I’ve been working in Special Collections for... Continue reading “What Are You working On? with Meg Campbell”

Universities Studying Slavery Conference & Genealogy Research for Wake Forest

In March, I attended the Universities Studying Slavery (USS) Consortium conference, held at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. USS is a consortium of over ninety institutions of higher learning in the United States, Canada, Colombia, Scotland, Ireland, and England who share best practices as they engage in programming and the legacies of enslavement and racism.... Continue reading “Universities Studying Slavery Conference & Genealogy Research for Wake Forest”

North Carolina Baptist Historical Collection Annual Report 2024

This annual report was submitted to the Association of Librarians and Archivists at Baptist Institutions (ALABI). The North Carolina Baptist Historical Collection had another productive year for 2024 and among its activities were the following: Access Marcia Phillips, our PT Metadata Specialist reviewed and updated 1,598 metadata records for the CLIR-funded Recordings at Risk Grant.... Continue reading “North Carolina Baptist Historical Collection Annual Report 2024”

Guest Blog Post by Senior Lisi Chapin (’25)

I attended the 2025 Senior Colloquium in February and heard senior Lisi Chapin speak about how the Dolmen Collection in Special Collections & Archives inspired her. I invited her to contribute a blog post about her experiences which reminds us of how broad-ranging the impact of archives can be. Here is some more about Lisi,... Continue reading “Guest Blog Post by Senior Lisi Chapin (’25)”

To Tell Her Glories with a Faithful Tongue with Sauda Mitchell

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Three Years as a Student Employee in Special Collections & Archives

At the end of this semester I will bid a fond farewell to Shelby Balmer, my very first student employee. But before she graduates, she has a blog post to share about her time in Special Collections and Archives. Take it away, Shelby! My name is Shelby Balmer, and I am a Senior Religious Studies... Continue reading “Three Years as a Student Employee in Special Collections & Archives”

Wake Washington: Presentation on Congressional Collections & Senator Richard Burr Papers

In early March, Dean Tim Pyatt and ZSR Development Officer Joel Rivera collaborated with Wake Washington Coordinator Jennifer Richwine to create a special event at the DC campus for Wake alums. As part of their Lunch & Learn Series for the DC area, we participated in Conversation & Collections: A Peek into ZSR’s Political Archives.... Continue reading “Wake Washington: Presentation on Congressional Collections & Senator Richard Burr Papers”