Special Collections & Archives

News and more from ZSR’s Special Collections & Archives

Baptist Digitizing Projects (June 2022)

I recently attended a campus meeting where we discussed the digitizing needs of our North Carolina Baptist Historical Collection. As part of my preparation, I detailed all of our digital work over the past 10 years as part of an overall status report. We have made great progress, thanks to the hard work of the... Continue reading “Baptist Digitizing Projects (June 2022)”

Songs for Dr. Ed Wilson

In December 2020, Special Collections & Archives was proud to host Dr. Edwin G. Wilson as he spoke about his new book Songs of Wake Forest. Over 1,000 Deacs joined us for the celebration, often sharing their fond memories on the chat. To date, nearly 5,000 people have watched the program online. The overwhelming response... Continue reading “Songs for Dr. Ed Wilson”

Newly Processed and Recently Updated Collections, 2021-2022

Another busy school year is in the rear view! Special Collections and Archives has two seniors graduating who have been great colleagues to us – congratulations, Dalton and Justin! All of the students who work with collections have contributed to making our materials more accessible, whether helping write finding aids with detailed collection inventories or... Continue reading “Newly Processed and Recently Updated Collections, 2021-2022”

Farewell to Mika Payden-Travers from Special Collections & Archives, but Not Good-bye!

For the past four years, Special Collections & Archives has had the great good fortune to work closely with the Z. Smith Reynolds Library Development Officer, Mika Payden-Travers. Mika was and is a superstar when it comes to connecting donors with their donation dreams, and helped SCA collaborate with them to achieve their vision. Thanks... Continue reading “Farewell to Mika Payden-Travers from Special Collections & Archives, but Not Good-bye!”

The Disparate Lives of Louise Payton Heims Beck: From Wake Forest’s Library Stacks to Broadway’s Vaudeville Circuit

The following post was written by longtime Special Collections and Archives volunteer Nancy Sullivan. We all take divergent routes along our life’s journey, but there are some life stories that warrant a slam on the brakes, an in-depth conversation or examination.  The life story of Louise Payton Heims Beck is one of those “wait a... Continue reading “The Disparate Lives of Louise Payton Heims Beck: From Wake Forest’s Library Stacks to Broadway’s Vaudeville Circuit”

Welcome to Alayna Veasey, SCA Collections Assistant

Special Collections & Archives recently welcomed Alayna Veasey, Collections Assistant, who joined us during the first week of January. Alayna is based in SCA with responsibilities for reshelving and shifting our collections, picking up donations from donors, and transferring SCA materials back and forth from the ZSR Off-Site Facility. Alayna also has responsibilities at Off-Site... Continue reading “Welcome to Alayna Veasey, SCA Collections Assistant”

Exploring [some of] the Penny Niven Papers

In 2012 Penelope “Penny” Niven (1939-2014) published her fourth and final biography titled “Thornton Wilder: a life”. She began working on the 848-page account as early as 1997 when she pursued a fellowship at the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University. However, one could say that the process started years, decades really,... Continue reading “Exploring [some of] the Penny Niven Papers”

Recent Presentation by Mary Tribble: From Her Hand: Sally Merriam Wait’s Mission South

Special Collections & Archives hosted our first in-person (and livestreamed) event in two years earlier this week. Mary Tribble spoke about her ancestor Sarah “Sally” Wait, in her talk From Her Hand: Sally Merriam Wait’s Mission South. Mary recently published Pious Ambitions: Sally Merriam Wait’s Mission South, 1813-1831, based in large part on the manuscripts... Continue reading “Recent Presentation by Mary Tribble: From Her Hand: Sally Merriam Wait’s Mission South”

New Digital Collections, Come See!

Since our last update, we’ve reached the milestone of 80,000 items within our Digital Collections, following the addition of several new digital collections and more items added to our established collections. The following are our most recent collections we’ve made available online. Curt D. Baum Family Collection Curt D. Baum was a Jewish boy of... Continue reading “New Digital Collections, Come See!”

I’m A Woman, Phenomenally: A History of Wake Forest Women

WFU WOMEN DOC POSTER Continue reading “I’m A Woman, Phenomenally: A History of Wake Forest Women”