Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections & Archives

12/05/2025

Special Collections & Archives will be closed today.

05/07/2025

We had a wonderful time hosting Sauda Mitchell and we are thrilled to house her amazing artist book.

On April 29, 2025, Special Collections hosted a visit/presentation with Sauda Mitchell, our Dr. Samuel T. Gladding Fellow (2024-2025), where she discussed he...

02/18/2025

Opening Reception: Fields of Fortune: North Carolina’s Legacy in Leaf and Labor
Tuesday, March 4th, 3-4:30 P.M.
Special Collections & Archives Research Room (ZSR Library Room 625)

Program will include brief remarks and light refreshments.
Register here: https://forms.gle/rLrhQRS16jho6LnX7

To***co has played a significant role in shaping North Carolina’s cultural, economic, and social identity, even before the state’s official establishment. Early depictions of Native American communities along the coast at the end of the 16th century show cultivation and use of the plant.

During the 19th century, to***co became a cornerstone of the plantation economy, generating immense wealth for select families. In the 20th century, the rise of mass production and commercialization, along with an expanding labor force dedicated to its cultivation and processing, further embedded to***co in North Carolina’s way of life. Marketing campaigns and iconic imagery tied to to***co are deeply woven into the state’s historical narrative.

This exhibit showcases images, artifacts, and records from Special Collections & Archives, spanning from the sixteenth century to the modern era. It also features contributions from North Carolina artists and photographers, including Daisha Bunn and Erin Kye and their families, as well as works by photographer Dan Routh.

Please email [email protected] with any questions.

12/11/2024

https://zsr.wfu.edu/2024/words-art-and-inspiration-in-the-archives/

Having trained as both an artist and an archivist, Sauda Mitchell is uniquely qualified to create works that convey artistic reinterpretations of historic texts and records. So ZSR Special Collections & Archives is delighted to be able to host her as visiting artist-in-residence during the 2024-25 a...

11/21/2024

Today, we at Special Collections & Archives commemorate the birth of the French writer Voltaire, born on November 21, 1694. A towering figure of the Enlightenment, Voltaire’s prolific output spanned nearly every literary form—plays, poems, novels, essays, and more. Over his lifetime, he penned more than 20,000 letters and authored 2,000 books and pamphlets. A significant portion resides in our own archives, including an 18th-century collection of Voltaire books once owned by Lytton Strachey. Voltaire is best remembered for championing key Enlightenment ideals, including freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and the separation of church and state. More than three centuries later, his legacy continues to resonate.

11/19/2024

Yesterday marked the celebration of Margaret Atwood’s 85th birthday! An acclaimed Canadian novelist, poet, and literary icon, Atwood is best known for her groundbreaking 1985 dystopian novel, The Handmaid’s Tale. Here at ZSR Special Collections and Archives, we are proud to house a selection of Atwood’s poetry and other works, providing a window into her remarkable contributions to literature.

10/25/2024

Today we celebrate Geoffrey Chaucer and his timeless contributions to storytelling, poetry, and language. Here at Z. Smith Reynolds Library, we house editions of Chaucer’s works from the 16th - 20th centuries in Special Collections and Archives. Dive into the Middle Ages with us and explore the wit, and wisdom of Chaucer’s world!

10/25/2024

Dr Allan Louden delivered (and signed) a copy of his new book “Inheritance: History of Wake Forest Debate 1835-1930s”
Congratulations Dr Louden!

10/22/2024

🌿✨ Today, on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor and celebrate the rich heritage, culture, and contributions of Native American communities.

To commemorate this day, we’re highlighting incredible works from our Special Collections and Archives by Native American voices.

📚 “Carriers of the Dream Wheel” by Duane Niatum, an anthology of poetry by sixteen Native American poets, reflects deep cultural values, memories, and oral traditions.

📖 We’re also showcasing a collection of poems by Robert Hedin, offering unique perspectives on Indigenous experiences. Take a moment to learn, reflect, and celebrate Indigenous stories, voices, and histories.

10/10/2024

https://zsr.wfu.edu/2024/transcription-from-the-page-want-to-help/

ZSR Special Collections and Archives is excited to announce the addition of several new manuscript transcriptions to our digital collection, including over 200 pages of early Wake Forest College Board of Trustee Minutes, 1834-1871. Others include the First Treasurer’s Book and an Index to Accounts...