Welcome to the Special Collections of Lupton Library! Our mission is to house, preserve, and provide access to historical items and collections, particularly those that relate to the University, Chattanooga, the state of Tennessee, and the South. Many of our collections contain unique, primary resource materials unavailable elsewhere.

Due to their rare, fragile, and special nature, these items may not be checked out but can be viewed and used in the Special Collections Reading Room. Guidelines for use of the Special Collections will be presented to researchers and patrons upon arrival. Because staffing is limited, appointments are recommended to view or use any of the items or collections to ensure someone will be on hand to assist you. Other Special Collections policies regarding copyright, duplication of material and permission to publish material can be found on our Policies page.

There are four main collections housed in the Special Collections: Manuscripts, Personal Papers, and Local History Collections; the Rare Book Collection; the University Archives; and the Archives of the Fellowship of Southern Writers and the Arlie Herron Collection.

Special Collections News: The Special Collections has recently acquired a large collection of internationally-known illustrator, and UTC alumnus, Barry Moser. The Arthur Goldsmith Collection of Barry Moser Material was the collection of former Austin Peay State University librarian, Arthur Goldsmith. Mr. Goldsmith accumulated a large collection of rare Moser prints, broadsides, posters, and artwork, limited edition books, and several collections of wood blocks and steel plates created by Barry Moser. This collection complements an already large collection of Moser-related material in the Special Collections.

The Special Collections currently has several current online exhibits: The John T. Wilder Letters; the Emma Bell Miles Page; and Southern Literature Resources in the Special Collections of Lupton Library, and the newly added American Chestnut Oral History Project.

Individuals or families interested in donating collections or items to the Special Collections are welcome to visit the Information for Potential Donors page. The Special Collections also maintains a page of links or other related Special Collections and Archives Web Sites.

Original watercolor by Signal Mountain writer and artist, Emma Bell Miles (1879-1919)

The Special Collections hours are: