Special Collections Research Center

Three individuals sit in front of card catalogs during a research consultation
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 - 4pm

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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.

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Highlights from the Archives

An Acquired Taste

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Love & War: A Royal Visit to William & Mary

Two things colored His Royal Highness (HRH) Charles, Prince of Wales’ May 1981 trip to the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, and the United States more generally: his upcoming nuptials to Lady Diana Spencer that July and the rapidly deteriorating situation in Northern Ireland.
 

Enhancement of a collection lost in the 1705 library fire

A book on the fascinating history of the W&M library was published by John M. Jennings in 1968 - The Library of The College of William and Mary in Virginia, 1693-1793.

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.