Special Collections Research Center

Professor leading a small class in Swem Library
Special Collections

Special Collections

Location: First floor of Swem Library (Map)
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Email: spcoll@wm.edu
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Today's Hours: 10am - 5pm

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Spotlight

An airport terminal with passengers seated and walking.

Manuscripts

Ivy Li '23 Photograph, Documenting Life During COVID-19

This collection of personal reflections and experiences during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic includes this photo taken on March 21st at Los Angeles International Airport. "Although it was midnight, the airport was full of people waiting to board on planes. Most of them were going to return to their home countries."

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Surgical kit

Manuscripts

Jefferson H. Clark Collection

The Jefferson H. Clark collection contains a variety of materials from Clark’s service in World War I, including photographs, documents, Clark’s helmet, and this surgical kit. 

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Headshot of Satoshi Ito

Oral Histories

Satoshi Ito Oral History Interview

Professor Ito shares his experience in a Relocation Center in Arkansas during World War II, the evolution of W&M's Department of Sociology, and his volunteer efforts with the Anti-Racism Commission, Diocese of Southern Virginia, the New Kent County Democratic Committee, and the Human Rights Committee of Eastern State Hospital. 

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The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) at Swem Library connects students, faculty, and researchers with rare and unique materials, including: 

  • original manuscripts 
  • photographs 
  • rare books 
  • maps 
  • audiovisual media 
  • and more 

Special Collections is open to all researchers for onsite research, but with limited capacity in our reading room. We strongly encourage requesting an appointment to ensure that we will be able to accommodate your visit. We may need to limit your appointment to two hours depending on demand. Please email us at spcoll@wm.edu with requests for appointments, research consultations, and any other questions.

How to Request Items and Make an Account

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Highlights from the Archives

An Acquired Taste

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Reflections from a Special Collections Student Assistant, Sierra Manja, Class of 2026

William & Mary's Special Collections has grown to mean a great deal to me through my work as a Student Assistant.
 

The Richard Wright Collection opens to researchers

Are you a fan of comic books, comic arts, and their intersection with Black history? Then this is a collection worth checking out!

Current Exhibit

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Detailed motif from a 1771 One Pound Note issued in North Carolina

In Perpetual Union

Commemorating the Original 13 States

On display: July 1, 2026 - January 15, 2027

Location:

In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the creation of the original thirteen states, William & Mary Libraries’ Special Collections staff selected, researched, and interpreted one item or collection from our rich and varied holdings to represent each state’s history — spanning from the colonial period to twentieth century.