Special Collections Exhibits

Beauford Delaney: Light Beyond the Canvas.  Using a mix of personal writings and sketches, photographs, letters, press clippings, flyers and other materials from the Beauford Delaney Papers (MS.3967), the exhibit illustrates the life of the world-renowned, ground-breaking Knoxville-born painter Beauford Delaney (1901-1979). The exhibit seeks to shed light on Beauford Delaney as a person, one of complexity and genius, whose capacity for love and ability to bring peace and beauty to an unfriendly world was often remarked upon by those knew him. 

Elaine Altman Evans Galleria

Data in the Archives. The University of Tennessee’s Special Collections celebrates Love Data week by exploring the local, historical, and scientific impact that data has had on East Tennessee and the nation. This exhibit features textbooks, photographs, research lab papers, and local data reports, highlighting the historical and regional significance data has on all our lives.

Reading Room

A History of Abolition in Tennessee: In Celebration of Frederick Douglas Day and Black History Month. The exhibit in Special Collections looks at African American history from 1820 through the 1960s, highlighting local history in the fight for Civil Rights and the abolition of slavery.

Reading Room, through February, 2026

Yours Ever, J.A. 250 Years of Jane Austen. Celebrating the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth, this exhibit featured rare books, ephemera, and other collection items that trace the path from the cultural influences that inspired Austen to write and publish six novels to the fandom that continues to admire and honor her today.

Knoxville's Largest Little Library. The exhibit highlighted some of the miniature books in Special Collections including those crafted by Kingsport Press located in Tennessee.  The smallest book measures in at a mere .875 inches high.

Of Monkeys and Men: The Scopes Trial. The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes was a test of the Butler Act, which made it illegal to teach evolution in the public schools. William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow took opposing sides at the trial. Their participation launched a media circus in the small town of Dayton, Tennessee. The Scopes Trial began an ongoing national debate on the intersection of science and religion in education and society.

In Pursuit of Justice. The path to justice can be dynamic, tumultuous, and, at times, elusive. The exhibit highlighted collection materials related to civil right's cases, criminal court cases, and early forensics.  

The Art of the Editorial Cartoon .  The exhibit spotlighted the work of Paige Braddock, Charlie Daniel, and Ed Gamble whose archives are held in Special Collections. Featured illustrations commemorating the tragic 2016 Chimney Tops 2 wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains were also on display.

Smoky Mountains Hiking Club.  The club, the oldest chartered hiking club associated with the Great Smoky Mountains,  celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024.  The exhibit featured some of the materials from the extensive holdings in Special Collections including the club’s handbooks dating back to 1934.

Oddities Let Loose.  A teeth mold, an advertisement for worm syrup, strands of hair were just some of the unusual items from Special Collections on view for the exhibit.

Cormac McCarthy.  The exhibit featured a collection of photos, letters, and postcards owned by Jim Long, long time friend of writer Cormac McCarthy and the inspiration for one of the memorable characters of his novel Suttree.

Tennessee’s Storyteller: Alex Haley (1921-1992).  The exhibit included archival documents and photographs from Haley’s life from the extensive holdings in Special Collections. His Autobiography of Malcolm X and Roots: The Saga of An American Family, which was adapted into a record-breaking television miniseries, were a cultural phenomena. 

The 1982 World’s Fair 40th Anniversary Celebration.  The Knoxville International Energy Exposition (better known as the World’s Fair) was held in Knoxville from May through October in 1982. The event, held adjacent to the University of Tennessee campus, attracted over 11 million visitors. An assortment of Special Collections extensive holdings of guidebooks, exhibit brochures, photographs, and souvenirs were on display.

HBCUs of Tennessee.  The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) designation were created as part of the Higher Education Act of 1965 which integrated colleges and universities on a national level. The exhibit featured a 1923 scrapbook belonging to Lane College graduate Lessie Bell Spann from Jackson, Tenn.

Turning into Tennessee. Tennessee was admitted to the United States of America as the 16th state in 1796. To commemorate the 225th anniversary of statehood, the exhibit featured documents, maps, illustrations, books, and other materials from the pre-statehood and earliest years of the Volunteer State.