Our Manuscripts collections document the rich history and culture of our region – Knoxville, east Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains, and southern Appalachia. Comprised of over 3,000 distinct archival collections spanning more than 5,000 linear feet, Manuscripts collections are made up of unique primary source material such as letters, diaries, photographs, maps, research files, literary manuscripts, memorabilia, and much more. Taken as a whole, these collections are particularly significant due to their expansive scope and wide-ranging appeal.
Some of our traditional collection strengths include:
Civil War in Tennessee
Southeastern Native Americans
Notable Tennessee artists, musicians, performers, and writers
Tennessee presidents Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, and Andrew Johnson
In addition, we partner with the Center for the Study of War and Society to collect, preserve, and make available the valuable records and histories of our region’s veterans. These collections document the veteran experience in 20th century American conflicts and include correspondence, photographs, scrapbooks, military documents, memoirs, oral histories, and more.
Manuscript collections are used to advance the University of Tennessee’s teaching and research missions by making collections available and promoting their use to both members of the UT community and the community at large.