Address:  15th & Detroit, Box 41041, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1041         Phone: (806) 742-3749

Calendar of Events

Current and Upcoming Events | Current Exhibits | Upcoming Exhibits | Past Events

Our gallery and beautiful reading room are open year round.
Summer hours are Monday thru Friday 9 am to 5 pm.
Fall and Spring school semester hours are: Mon., Wed., Fri., 9 am to 5 pm
Tues., Thur., 9 am to 7 pm
Sat., 9 am to 1 pm
Holiday hours can change, please call ahead to the reference desk
if you have any questions.
806.742.3749

Current and Upcoming Events:              

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Current Exhibits:

The Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library exhibits program offers many treats to patrons under the three turrets of our facility on the Texas Tech University campus. More information on our exhibits can be found here. Current shows include:

 

On Display thru  7/2008	DASPO: Vietnam Photographers – From the Spring of 1962 until the collapse in 1973, the Department of the Army Special Photographic Office rotated or TDY’d photographers into combat and other units on special assignment.  This exhibit offers original equipment, photos from Thailand, Vietnam and US refugee camps, plus a special tribute to Kermit Yoho, DASPO photographer killed in action by US artillery “friendly fire.”
On Display thru      7/2008	Tarahumara Indians – These indigenous people of the Sierra Madre in southwest Chihuahua, Mexico, have refused to assimilate and kept their culture largely intact across the centuries.  Since 1952 the Jesuit priest Luis Verplancken, while administering to their health needs, has made over 25,000 photographs there, now being scanned by SWC/SC Library staff.  The exhibit includes photographs along with baskets, weaving, pottery and carvings collected by oral historian David Marshall.
On Display thru      7/2008	Development of the West Texas Historical Association – From its humble beginnings with 25 members in 1924, the Association has grown in stature and respect.  Papers presented at annual meetings have become the first stepping stones for many careers as professional historians.  Today, with over 400 members, the WTHA’s headquarters and Yearbook editorial offices are housed under the turrets of the SWC/SC Library.
On Display thru 4/09	Medieval Southwest: Manifestations of the Old World in the New -  visitors to the Southwest Collection/ Special Collections Library can journey back in time to a Texas at the end of the medieval period and at the start of the early modern world, as revealed by rare and precious items from the holdings of museums, libraries and private collections from Texas, New Mexico and California. More information on the exhibit can be found here.

Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library-associated shows at other venues:

3/2008 thru 9/2008             College Baseball Hall of Fame at Lubbock International
                                            airport     

8/2008 thru 9/1/2008          "Hub of the Plains" showing at 3 venues
                                             Silent Wings Museum, 6202 North I-27, 806-775-2047
                                             LP & L, 1301 Broadway, 806-775-2509
                                             Lubbock National Bank, 4811 50th, 792-1000

The "Hub of the Plains" exhibit is an official project of the Lubbock Centennial Committee.  It was generously funded by the UMC Health System.  Arranged by design staff and historians of the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, the display features materials from private collections and from archival holdings of the Southwest Collection.

The one hundred plus year history of the City is showcased in photographs and chronology for the benefit of the Citizens of Lubbock.  The display captures the rise of the town on the South Plains before 1909.  It proceeds to highlight the economic, political, and social growth of a vibrant community through 2009.  The inventive drive, ability to recover in the aftermath of the 1970 tornado, and cultural diversity of the people of Lubbock characterize the rich legacy of one of the most prosperous cities in West Texas.

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Upcoming Exhibits at the Southwest Collection:

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Past Events:
 

Millennial Collection Reception

December 3, 2007, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - An end-of-semester reception honoring the Millennial Collection, a thoughtful and thought provoking assembly of photographs and prose was held in the Formby Room of the Southwest Collection.  At 1:00 p.m., Rick Dingus of TTU's School of Art gave a talk on the impetus behind the project and the importance of documenting our "here and now," as it changes more quickly than we realize.  Historic and documentary photographs from other collections, as well as student poetry based on Millennial Collection photographs were on display.

For further information, contact Diane Warner, 742-3749, or diane.warner@ttu.edu.

For further information on the Millennial Collection:  http://www.depts.ttu.edu/art/mc/lk01.html http://www.swco.ttu.edu/millennial_collection.html

For an article on the Millennial Collection and Rick Dingus from the Office of Communications and Marketing:  http://www.depts.ttu.edu/communications/vistas/archive/04-winter/stories/photog.php

November 12-15, 2007 - the Southwest Collection hosted several events to celebrate the 3rd Annual American Indian Event Week.  These included presentations by Dr. Kim Winkelman, President of Comanche Nation College, Dr. Ethan Schmidt, Dr. Edward Anderson, Dr. James Goss, Dr. Juanita Pahdopony, Harry Mithlo, Andy Wilkinson, and Dr. Kurt Caswell, as well as a cultural arts exhibition by Dr. Bill Skillman and a Comanche Nation College Student Meet ‘n Greet.
     The events were done in partnership with various other Texas Tech entities such as the Cross-Cultural Academic Advancement Center, the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work, the Office of Institutional Diversity, the Office of Student Diversity Relations, the Office of the Provost, the Pathway Partnership Office, the TTU Howard Hughes Medical Institute Program, and the TTUHSC Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs.

October 31, 2007 - Guest speaker Susan Wittig Albert presented a talk entitled, "Prime Thyme Crime: A Texas Author Talks About Herbs and Mysteries." Albert, a Texas mystery writer and herbal expert, is author of the China Bayles and the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter mystery series. With her husband Bill Albert as "Robin Paige," she also writes the Sir Charles Sheridan mysteries. A book signing and reception was held following her talk.

October 26, 2007 - An opening reception for the Max Crawford Papers and Edward Hoagland Papers was held. The campus community was invited to view the two new manuscript collections, have tea/coffee and cookies, and share ideas for research, class projects, or just browse new and interesting items
     The Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library was pleased to announce two writers in the Sowell Collection whose papers have been processed and are now available for research. 
     The Max Crawford Collection contains a wide range of materials documenting Crawford’s life, from his early days in Crosbyton to years in France.  Literary records include correspondence from writers Wallace Stegner, Larry McMurtry, David Quammen, and many others.  Several boxes include complete early manuscripts of both published and unpublished poems, short stories, and novels.  The collection gives students an insight both into Crawford’s personal life, through pictures and correspondence to and from family and friends, as well as the writing life, through Crawford’s expansive notes and records. 
    The Edward Hoagland Collection contains correspondence and materials from or relating to many prominent writers.  Just a few of the correspondents include Gretel Ehrlich, Annie Dillard, Barry Lopez, Archibald MacLeish, Anne Lamott, and John McPhee. The correspondence in the collection is expansive, including many personal letters, postcards, and notes from at least ninety well known writers and poets. 
     For further information, contact Diane Warner, 2-3749, or diane.warner@ttu.edu.

November 15, 2006 - A reception for Cherokee film star Wes Studi was held at the Southwest Collection following his speaking engagement at the Student Union Building. Studi is best known for his roles in movies such as The Last of the Mohicans and Geronimo: An American Legend, as well as the PBS Joe Leaphorn series based on the books by Tony Hillerman. His visit was part of Texas Tech's celebration of National Native American Heritage Month. [Tech Announce press release and images from the celebration.

February 15, 2007 - Reception for the Take Pride in the East Side Student Photography competition and exhibition.  Sponsored by the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library and The Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts, the reception took place from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. in the Formby Room.  40 photographs chosen from over 150 submissions were displayed.  The Progressive Baptist Church Youth Choir performed two amazing songs that were enjoyed by all that attended.

Thanks to Dr. Marcy for playing photographer and taking the images below.  Click on the images to see a larger version.

Executive Director of the Southwest Collection, Dr. James Brink welcomes everyone to the Special Collections. Co-Director of the Southwest Collection, Dr. Tai Kreidler explains the importance of preserving local history for future generations.

The driving force behind the project, Eric Strong talks about the importance of such community projects. Dawn Wolf-Taylor and Katy Ballard draw names for door prizes.

Council woman Linda De Leon presents a city proclamation for the Take Pride in the East Side project, including individual recognition for each of the student participants. She also encouraged people who lived on the East Side to take pride in their community and work to improve it.

Representatives of the Underwood Center distribute door prizes to students who participated in the photo competition.

April 12, 2007 - A poetry reading by Lance Henson was held from 7-9 p.m. in the Formby Room.  Although Mr. Henson is of Cheyenne, Oglala and French descent, his poetry reflects his Southern Cheyenne heritage.  He is a Vietnam Vet (Marine Corps) and a member of the Cheyenne Dog Soldier Warrior Society, the Black Belt Karate Association, the Native American Church, and the American Indian Movement (AIM).

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