Special Collections & Archives

News and more from ZSR’s Special Collections & Archives

Behind the Scenes of Our Coronavirus Collection

Special Collections and Archives does not need to tell you about these “unprecedented times,” a phrase working overtime these days. But we want to share our efforts to capture what is happening during the pandemic, both collecting records of the University’s efforts and administration as well as snapshots of life outside the boundaries of campus.... Continue reading “Behind the Scenes of Our Coronavirus Collection”

Digital Collections Homepage Update

It’s been just over two years since we redesigned our Digital Collections homepage. Since that time, we have continued to add new collections. As a result, an update was completed this month to enhance browsability. Each digital collection is now sorted into one of the seven Collection Groups on the homepage: Manuscript Collections, NC Baptist... Continue reading “Digital Collections Homepage Update”

Describing Sensitive Materials at SCA

We have talked about the complicated and sometimes contradictory histories that we find in the archives before, and we will again. I wanted to share today how the Special Collections staff and our descriptive practices continue to evolve as we work with artifacts of trauma and suffering. As purveyors of primary documents, the archives are... Continue reading “Describing Sensitive Materials at SCA”

The Life of Maya Angelou: Special Collections & Archives Resources

Maya Angelou was an author, poet, singer, screen director, playwright, and dancer. In 1969 she published I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, the first of her autobiographical works, for which she is best known. Angelou went on to publish four more books of memoirs, as well as many volumes of poetry. In 1993 she... Continue reading “The Life of Maya Angelou: Special Collections & Archives Resources”

Deacon Experiences: COVID-19

As we live through historic times, this is a good reminder about the value of the archives in chronicling recorded history. Archives are often thought of as old and dusty, when they are actually the representation of a current moment long past. We all “participate” in history, but we usually don’t think about our experience... Continue reading “Deacon Experiences: COVID-19”

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day: Resources in Special Collections & Archives

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Special Collections & Archives recently published an online subject guide to Earth Day and Sustainability. The guide includes links to primary source material throughout our collections documenting the beginnings of the environmental movement through today. These include items available online as well as located in our... Continue reading “Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day: Resources in Special Collections & Archives”

Gray Family Antique Photo Album

In 1941 the Bowman Gray School of Medicine hosted its first class of 75 scholars. The eponymous school was named after Bowman Gray, Sr. , son of James Alexander Gray, a co-founder of Wachovia Bank.  After briefly attending Chapel Hill, Bowman Gray Sr. worked as a bank teller at Wachovia but found more success working... Continue reading “Gray Family Antique Photo Album”

ABCs of Special Collections: M is for…

This ABCs blog post was written by Nancy Sullivan, Volunteer in Special Collections and Archives. ABCs of Special Collections: M is for… W. J. Cash and Margaret Mitchell In 1900, The Mind of the South author Wilbur Joseph (W. J.) Cash was born in the small town of Gaffney, South Carolina (now home to the... Continue reading “ABCs of Special Collections: M is for…”

New Digital Collection: WFU Athletics Audio and Video

Relive some of Wake Forest’s most memorable moments in sports with one of our newest Digital Collections! Our WFU Athletics Audio and Video Collection features significant footage and audio recordings covering full games, highlights, interviews, and features from the WFU Athletics department. The online collection currently covers golf, football and basketball, with events as early... Continue reading “New Digital Collection: WFU Athletics Audio and Video”

Special Collections & Archives Update 3/16/2020

Following the lead of Wake Forest University’s Coronavirus actions, as well as the decisions that the ZSR Library as a whole are making about hours and access, Special Collections & Archives is closed to the public. We recommend checking the website (zsr.wfu.edu/special), or sending an email (archives@wfu.edu) to ask questions or begin your research. Special Collections... Continue reading “Special Collections & Archives Update 3/16/2020”