The special collections department doesn't just cover UNT, but the community at large.

The department's other collections focus on Texas history, Latino/Latina culture and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender movement.

More than 4,000 miniature books are in a permanent exhibition that is part of its collection of rare and unique books. It also features the Vann Collection of Victorian literature, which includes a first edition of A Christmas Carol, and literary papers from authors such as Pulitzer Prize-winner Larry McMurtry ('58) and Texas-born mystery writer Deborah Crombie.

Plus, it has amassed thousands of artwork, maps and photographs, including examples of early photography -- such as "cased photography," including daguerreotypes and ambrotypes.

The public is welcome to visit the collections at the Judge Sarah T. Hughes Reading Room on the fourth floor of Willis Library. Many items -- including Chilton's speech and UNT commencement programs and yearbooks -- are also accessible on the Portal to Texas History at texashistory.unt.edu and at digital.library.unt.edu.

Learn more about UNT's history through the special collections' weekly 125th anniversary blog featuring historical photographs, documents and memorabilia.

Read a feature story about how UNT is preserving history. >>