Special Collections Research Center

Students studying together at tables in Read and Relax
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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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.

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Highlights from the Archives

An Acquired Taste

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Reading Tea Leaves at Special Collections

Written by Dan Du, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina - Charlotte (Special Collections Research Center travel grant recipient, 2023-2024)

 

Rest in Peace Colonel Clifford C. Neilson

Rest in Peace, Colonial Clifford C. Neilson. We are honored to have your combat diary in our collections.

Current Exhibit

All Exhibits
Engraving of the Marquis de Lafayette Marquis de Lafayette by Noël Le Mire from a painting by Jean-Baptiste Le Paon.

Lafayette is Here

The Marquis de Lafayette in Virginia

On display: October 1 - December 2, 2024

Location: Read & Relax; Special Collections Lobby

The honorary Doctor of Civil Law degree presented to the Marquis de Lafayette in 1824 is on loan from the Chambrun Foundation who preserves and maintains Lafayette’s estate, Chateau de Lagrange, and its archives. The display of the document coincides with the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of commemorate Lafayette's visit to Williamsburg during his 1824-1825 tour of the U.S.