USM Special Collections

06/18/2026

Did you catch WDAM’s latest We the People segment featuring the Know Mississippi Better Train?

Lorraine Stuart, head of Special Collections and curator of historical manuscripts and archives, shared the story of the luxury train that traveled North America from 1925–1948, promoting Mississippi’s industries, culture, and opportunities. The campaign proved remarkably successful, helping attract significant investment to the state and shaping Mississippi’s economic development. The complete Know Mississippi Better Train Collection is preserved in Special Collections where it continues to support research into this fascinating chapter of Mississippi history.

Watch the story!

For two decades, a luxury train, called ‘The Know Mississippi Better Train’, traveled the railways of the United States with Mississippians on board.

06/15/2026

A new book from University Press of Mississippi shares the inspiring story of Oseola McCarty, whose extraordinary gift to Southern Miss continues to support students and shape her lasting legacy.

Special Collections is also proud to be home to the Oseola McCarty Collection, preserving materials that document her remarkable life, generosity, and impact.

Learn more about Oseola McCarty and the Gift of a Lifetime.

Oseola McCarty (1908–1999) lived quietly in her humble Hattiesburg, Mississippi, home. Young Oseola dropped out of elementary school to stay home and care for an ailing relative and to work as a laundress, a ...

06/03/2026

Following World War II, France supplied gas masks and other equipment to the Vietnamese National Army during the French Indochina War. In the Vietnam War, gas masks were used mainly by U.S. “Tunnel Rats” to clear tunnels with tear gas, but they did not protect against Agent Orange, a defoliant later linked to serious health issues. This model is distinguished by its papier mâché container, used by civilians to conserve metal during WWII, while combat troops carried metal versions. Gas mask use in both wars was limited because chemical agents were rarely deployed.

The gas mask is part of the collection of Donald Farris Deen (1941–1997), who served as a squadron leader in the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne “Screaming Eagles” Division from 1968–69. Stationed near the Demilitarized Zone, the 101st Airborne played a significant role in countering enemy forces during the Tet Offensive.

You can view this item at the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families where it will be on exhibit from June 2026 to May 2027. Read more about this item here: https://bit.ly/3S02To8

04/28/2026

Special Collections Item of the Month: de Grummond’s Gentle Giant, “Big George”

In 1966, Lena de Grummond began corresponding with H.A. and Margret Rey, who promised to contribute materials to the collection—including a sketch of Curious George headed toward Hattiesburg. In 1990, Margret Rey fulfilled that promise, donating materials from 23 titles, including Curious George. The acquisition inspired a local librarian to gift a five-foot-tall Curious George stuffed animal, “Big George,” who remains a beloved part of the de Grummond Collection.

Over the years, Big George has visited schools and libraries and even appeared on local news. As he has aged and become more fragile, he travels less frequently. Today, he primarily resides in the de Grummond Manuscript Room but still makes occasional appearances at special events and can be brought out for group visits in Special Collections.

04/24/2026

Have you taken our Spring User Survey yet?

Take just a few minutes to complete the survey and help shape the future of Special Collections. Your feedback helps us improve access to unique materials, enhance research support, and create better experiences with our archives, rare books, and historical resources.

🗓️ The survey is open through May 2—we’d love your input!
🔗 Take the survey: https://bit.ly/4ebywnE

Thank you for helping us grow!

04/13/2026

Join us for the Student Curator Exhibit Opening & Reception on Wednesday, April 15 from 4–5 p.m. in McCain Library & Archives (Room 305). Come celebrate the creativity and research of Southern Miss students as they debut original exhibits curated from Special Collections materials!

Featured exhibits include:
Honorable Golden Eagles: The History of The University of Southern Mississippi’s Honors College — curated by Jocelyn Revoldt
Withholding to be Heard — curated by Ashlynn Steiner
Southern Food: Not Just Country Accents and Fried Chicken — curated by Lily Bridges

The Special Collections Student Curator Program gives students real-world experience—from selecting materials and writing exhibit text to installation and promotion.

Open to both the University and Hattiesburg communities—we hope to see you there!

04/06/2026

University Libraries wants to hear from you!

Take a few minutes to complete our Spring User Survey and help us continue improving services, spaces, and resources for the campus community. Your feedback plays an important role in shaping a library experience that supports student success, teaching, learning, and research.

The survey will be open through May 2. We appreciate your time and input!

Access the survey here: https://bit.ly/4ebywnE

04/02/2026

The University and Hattiesburg communities are invited to stop in for the Student Curator Exhibit opening and reception on April 15, 2025, from 4 – 5 p.m. in McCain Library and Archives room 305. The event will showcase exhibits curated by three Southern Miss students.

"Honorable Golden Eagles: The History of The University of Southern Mississippi’s Honors College," curated by Jocelyn Revoldt

"Withholding to be Heard," curated by Ashlynn Steiner

"Southern Food: Not Just Country Accents and Fried Chicken," curated by Lily Bridges

The Special Collections Student Curator Program offers a hands-on opportunity to create one-case exhibits using materials from the Library’s collections. Through the program, students gain valuable experience in selecting items for display, writing exhibit labels and descriptive text, installing materials, and promoting their exhibits to the public.

04/01/2026

"To those who remember, Judge Robert B. Helfrich is held in high regard for his service as prosecuting attorney for the 1998 Vernon Dahmer trials. Upon his appointment to the bench, he donated his records of the trial to USM Special Collections for the research of current and future generations. His passing is a loss to the community."

~Lorraine Stuart, head of Special Collections

PS - Oddly enough, our Item of the Month is a photo from his collection!

Helfrich is credited with starting one of Mississippi’s first drug courts, as well as the state’s first veterans court, according to sources.

03/30/2026

Join us tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. in McCain Library and Archives, Room 305, for the opening of Mahony’s Meanderings. This new exhibit explores the life and literary world of collector and writer Patrick Mahony.

Featured are materials from collections reflecting his wide-ranging interests in literature, celebrity culture, politics, and the paranormal. Also on display are letters and inscribed books from literary figures such as Maurice Maeterlinck and Lord Dunsany, along with correspondence with royalty, politicians, and film icons including Fay Wray and Gloria Swanson.