USM Special Collections

09/02/2026

09/01/2026

Donated this spring to the University Archives by Byron Glick, the Kay’s Klowns T-Shirt and Play Script capture the spirit of the first freshman class of The University of Southern Mississippi’s Honors College. Formalized in 1976 under President Aubrey K. Lucas, the Honors College welcomed about 40 students who adopted “Kay’s Klowns” as their name in honor of first dean Wallace G. Kay. The t-shirt served as an unofficial jersey for intramural sports and other Honors events, while the play script documents a one-time student performance inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Together, the artifacts offer a glimpse into what Glick calls “that first magic year of the Honors College.”

See more about this item here: https://lib.usm.edu/spcol/exhibitions/item_of_the_month/iotm_aug_2026.html

08/31/2026

🌎 Taking Southern Miss expertise abroad!

Jennifer Brannock, curator of rare books and Mississippiana in Special Collections, presented Archival Alchemy: Turning Students into Exhibit Curators on August 8 at the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Satellite Meeting at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea.

As vice-chair/secretary of the IFLA Local History & Genealogy Section, Jennifer also helped coordinate paper submissions and speaker relations for the meeting and the section’s session at the IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Busan.

We’re proud of Jennifer representing the Libraries and Southern Miss on the international stage!

08/25/2026

As part of the Society of American Archivists’ 250 for 250 initiative celebrating the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary, University Libraries Special Collections submitted a brochure from the “Know Mississippi Better” Train—a traveling exhibit designed to showcase Mississippi’s history, people, places, and resources.

Take a look at this fascinating piece of history in our digital collections, and while you’re there, explore the portal for even more materials from the University Libraries’ Special Collections!

🔗 bit.ly/4cDdw7S

08/05/2026

For generations, Waldoff's Department Store was more than a place to shop—it was a Hattiesburg tradition and a part of countless memories.

That legacy will continue through the newly processed Waldoff's Department Store records, now available for research in University Libraries Special Collections. Donated by Milton Waldoff, the collection documents the store's history from the 1950s until its closing in 1994 and includes correspondence, advertisements, architectural drawings, and more than 4,500 photographs and slides that capture the people, events, and history of a beloved local landmark.

The collection was processed by Ella Lauderdale, assistant curator of historical manuscripts.

07/28/2026

In April 1970, Dr. Lena Y. de Grummond traveled to Sussex, England, to personally present The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Medallion to renowned Winnie-the-Pooh illustrator E. H. Shepard, who was unable to attend the Children’s Book Festival due to his age and health. This month’s item of the month is a photograph capturing this memorable moment in children’s literature history and reflection Dr. de Grummond’s dedication to building the collection.

Also during the 1970 festival, USM head librarian Dr. Warren G. Tracy announced that the new children’s collection would be named for de Grummond, honoring her role in founding the collection, building relationships with authors and illustrators, and helping establish the festival and medallion.

This photograph is part of the de Grummond photograph collection. Read more about this item here: https://lib.usm.edu/spcol/exhibitions/item_of_the_month/iotm_july_2026.html

07/06/2026

The Mr. G.O.P. and Mr. Dem. cigarette dispensers (c.1950s) are vintage novelty tobacciana items that store ci******es in a rear compartment and dispense them by pulling the elephant's trunk or the donkey's ears. The elephant and donkey have represented the Republican and Democratic parties since the 19th century, with the Republican elephant popularized by Thomas Nast's 1874 cartoon Third Term Panic and the Democratic donkey tracing its origins to Andrew Jackson's 1828 presidential campaign.

These dispensers are part of the Eisenhower Materials Collection, which was donated by Dr. John Pendergrass and is currently being processed in Special Collections.

Read more at lib.usm.edu/spcol/exhibitions/item_of_the_month

06/18/2026

Did you catch WDAM’s latest We the People segment featuring the Know Mississippi Better Train?

Lorraine Stuart, head of Special Collections and curator of historical manuscripts and archives, shared the story of the luxury train that traveled North America from 1925–1948, promoting Mississippi’s industries, culture, and opportunities. The campaign proved remarkably successful, helping attract significant investment to the state and shaping Mississippi’s economic development. The complete Know Mississippi Better Train Collection is preserved in Special Collections where it continues to support research into this fascinating chapter of Mississippi history.

Watch the story!

For two decades, a luxury train, called ‘The Know Mississippi Better Train’, traveled the railways of the United States with Mississippians on board.

06/15/2026

A new book from University Press of Mississippi shares the inspiring story of Oseola McCarty, whose extraordinary gift to Southern Miss continues to support students and shape her lasting legacy.

Special Collections is also proud to be home to the Oseola McCarty Collection, preserving materials that document her remarkable life, generosity, and impact.

Learn more about Oseola McCarty and the Gift of a Lifetime.

Oseola McCarty (1908–1999) lived quietly in her humble Hattiesburg, Mississippi, home. Young Oseola dropped out of elementary school to stay home and care for an ailing relative and to work as a laundress, a ...

06/03/2026

Following World War II, France supplied gas masks and other equipment to the Vietnamese National Army during the French Indochina War. In the Vietnam War, gas masks were used mainly by U.S. “Tunnel Rats” to clear tunnels with tear gas, but they did not protect against Agent Orange, a defoliant later linked to serious health issues. This model is distinguished by its papier mâché container, used by civilians to conserve metal during WWII, while combat troops carried metal versions. Gas mask use in both wars was limited because chemical agents were rarely deployed.

The gas mask is part of the collection of Donald Farris Deen (1941–1997), who served as a squadron leader in the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne “Screaming Eagles” Division from 1968–69. Stationed near the Demilitarized Zone, the 101st Airborne played a significant role in countering enemy forces during the Tet Offensive.

You can view this item at the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families where it will be on exhibit from June 2026 to May 2027. Read more about this item here: https://bit.ly/3S02To8