Past Exhibits

We create a variety of exhibits throughout the year. Some are short-term and highlight current events; others are more expansive and emphasize the primary source materials held in our Special Collections. Explore what we've done in the past.

Journey of the brotherhood of sleeping car porters

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The Journey of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters

In celebration of Black History Month, UTA Special Collections will have a mini-exhibit on display showcasing items in the collection relating to the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, founded in 1925 as the first African American labor union.

Learn more about The Journey of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters
Von Erich wrestling family uta special collections mini-exhibit

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Von Erich Wrestling Family

Ahead of the December 22 release of the movie "The Iron Claw," a biographical sports film based on the life of the Von Erich professional wrestling family from the Dallas area, UTA Libraries is highlighting photos of the Von Erichs from UTA Special Collections alongside other wrestling-related…

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Retro Remix exhibit: Archives-Inspired Student Art

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Retro Remix: Archives-Inspired Student Art

Archives are traditionally viewed as "evidence" of the past... But archives can also INSPIRE! Historical materials in Special Collections can be remixed, reused, and reimagined to create new art!

Learn more about Retro Remix: Archives-Inspired Student Art
exhibit of photos and newspapers from JFK assassination

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JFK: A Nation Remembers

We invite you up to the 6th floor of the Central Library to view Special Collections' latest mini-exhibit commemorating the 60th anniversary of JFK's assassination. You may also view more photos from our Fort Worth Star-Telegram collection of JFK's visit to Fort Worth and Dallas on that…

Learn more about JFK: A Nation Remembers
Pride in the archives, UTA Libraries Special Collections

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Pride in the Archives

In celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month, UTA Special Collections will have a mini-exhibit on display that showcases materials documenting queer history at UTA and in Tarrant County. 

See the display Oct. 2-31 just outside the doors of Special Collections, located on the sixth floor of the…

Learn more about Pride in the Archives
Technology is rapidly changing. As a result, media types that were once widely used have become obsolete, but the data stored on these different media formats can be extremely important to the historical record. Visit UTA Special Collections on the sixth floor of Central Library from April 3-30, 2023 to explore different types of media formats and how we preserve them for future access! We will be featuring examples of different obsolete technology including a laptop computer from 1987!

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Data through the Decades

Technology is rapidly changing. As a result, media types that were once widely used have become obsolete, but the data stored on these different media formats can be extremely important to the historical record. Visit UTA Special Collections on the sixth floor of Central Library from April 3-30…

Learn more about Data through the Decades
Priscilla Art Club members posed beside a Christmas tree

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Lifting As We Climb: Priscilla Art Club of Dallas in the Culmer Family Papers

The Priscilla Art Club is the oldest Black women’s club in Dallas (established in 1911 and still going today!) and is representative of an important Black women’s club movement through Texas and the South. Photographs memorialize the relationships, sociality, fashion, and philanthropy of the…

Learn more about Lifting As We Climb: Priscilla Art Club of Dallas in the Culmer Family Papers
historic map of Nueva Hispania, now Mexico

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The Shifting Shapes of Early Texas

UTA Libraries Special Collections presents what promises to be an exciting and provocative exhibit titled “The Shifting Shapes of Early Texas” which will feature some highlights from its extensive collections of maps, prints, and manuscripts. Beginning with the earliest European and Indigenous…

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A Tribute to Nurses: UTA and beyond, showing photos of nurses through the years

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A Tribute to Nurses: UTA and Beyond

Join the University of Texas at Arlington Libraries Special Collections and the College of Nursing and Health Innovation for a special exhibit covering the history of nursing at UTA and beyond. Through more than 130 years of education and 50 years at UTA, this nursing program has strengthened…

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An original digital art piece by Jeremiah Alcorn titled "Looking Forward" with an African woman standing in a field centered in the foreground, with a historical African map superimposed as the background

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Looking Up, Looking Out, and Looking Forward

UTA Special Collections is celebrating Black History Month by featuring original art works created by Jeremiah Alcorn, a student in UTA's Visual Communication Design program. Alcorn was inspired to design and create three pieces featuring historical maps of Africa from the Map Collection of Dr.…

Learn more about Looking Up, Looking Out, and Looking Forward
Title board for Searching for Africa exhibit: The Map Collection of Dr. Jack Franke

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Searching for Africa: The Map Collection of Dr. Jack Franke

The Searching for Africa exhibit features 190 items, primarily European maps, depicting the African continent dating back to the 15th century. Many of these items represent a portion of the more than 500 pieces donated by distinguished alumnus Dr. Jack Franke.

The aim of…

Learn more about Searching for Africa: The Map Collection of Dr. Jack Franke
Gause-Ware Funeral Home

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Let There Be Light: George L. Gause and the Gause-Ware Funeral Home

From ghost stories to ghost towns, there are more than a few spooky things to be found in UTA Libraries’ Special Collections. This gallery exhibition featured selected items from various collections, plus a number of staff picks of haunted imagery.…

Learn more about Let There Be Light: George L. Gause and the Gause-Ware Funeral Home