Collections : [College of William and Mary]

College of William and Mary

Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Primary Collecting Areas:
Williamsburg and surrounding area Virginia; Southern United States; African American life and culture; Hip Hop History; Movies and film studies; Travel, exploration, and adventure; Veterans papers; Distinguished alumni papers; College of William & Mary; Dogs
Description:
The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) houses one of the largest and most significant collections of rare and unique materials of any educational institution of comparable size in the United States. Focused on Virginia history but with nationally and internationally important collections, the Manuscripts Collection includes letters, diaries, journals, scrapbooks, business records, organizational minutes, and other items that provide evidence of events great and small and the daily lives of Americans of all backgrounds. The Rare Books Collection, with volumes dating from the 15th century to the present, is strong in dogs, Virginia-related items, early Virginia family libraries, gardening and natural history, religion, book arts, printing history, travel, science, and medicine. The University Archives documents the history of William & Mary from 1693 to the present, including a wide range of materials from administrative records, student organization records, and alumni papers to photographs, audio-visual materials, and artifacts.
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Start Over Repository College of William and Mary Date range 2026
College of William and Mary

Mattachine Society of Washington D.C. records, 1942/2020

2 Linear Feet 6 Full legal size Hollinger boxes and 2 oversize folders

Collection contains correspondence and organization documents related to the everyday activities of the Mattachine Society of Washington D.C. The Mattachine Society is an Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,Transgender, queer (LGBTQ) organization that seeks to conduct original archival research and educational outreach that focuses on LGBTQ legal, political, and policy history.

1 result
College of William and Mary

The Stephens Project Records, 2008/2024

10 Megabytes

Scope and Contents Interview of Samuel Turner Arrington at the LGBT Center in New York City the day the Supreme Court rulings on DOMA and Prop 8 were made public. Turner grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia, graduated from William & Mary in 2000, and lived in Norfolk until moving to New York for medical school earlier this summer. Turner, who married his partner several years ago, had largely positive experiences as an openly gay man at William & Mary and in Virginia since. His education in W&M English and Women's Studies courses as well as casual debates outside of class helped him embrace his identity. He has happily witnessed social change in Virginia and the country as a whole, and discusses the important role he believes the internet has played in propagating change.

3 results
College of William and Mary

Keith Constance Oral History Interview, 2026

1.96 Gigabytes
Top 3 results view all 4
College of William and Mary

Walter Wenk Oral History Interview, 2026

6.6 Gigabytes
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College of William and Mary

John Sours Oral History Interview, 2026

12.61 Gigabytes
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College of William and Mary

Frank and Lark Smith family letters, 1969/1973

.42 Linear Feet 1 letter size box

Collection contains items from William & Mary alumni Frank Lloyd Smith and Lark Garges Smith during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The materials primarily contains correspondence that documents the couple's time attending William & Mary. Letters are to and from family and friends such as Frank Otey Smith, Frank's father, siblings Ann-Jeannette Smith, Mary Margaret Smith and Daniel Mace Smith. Other items Include four student identification cards, and Phi Beta Kappa flyers.

1 result
College of William and Mary

Robert M. Gates papers, 1946/2015, bulk 1966/2014

134.50 Linear Feet 268 Boxes.

The Robert M. Gates papers primarily cover his professional life, from his work with the Central Intelligence Agency, to his presidency at Texas A&M University, to his retirement as Secretary of Defense. Also accounted for in this collection are papers associated with his three books: From the Shadows, Duty, and A Passion for Leadership, in addition to items from his high school and higher education years.

1 result
College of William and Mary

Margaret R. Thomas newsletters, 1970/2020

0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.

89 pages of family newsletters written by Margaret R. Thomas. Most are dated in January or December.

1 result
College of William and Mary

University Events records, 2018/2023

200 Gigabytes

The collection includes materials such as audio-visual files and artifacts documenting the activities of University Events at William & Mary.

1 result

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Finding aids may contain historical terms and phrases, reflecting the shared attitudes and values of the community from which they were collected, but are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical or mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity.

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