What is The Texas Collection known for?

The Texas Collection is one of the largest Texana collections in the world and the largest privately held collection of Texana. It serves as a special library, archival research center, and the University Archive for Baylor University, documenting the history, heritage, and culture of Texas.

Where is The Texas Collection located?

It is located in the Carroll Library Building on the Baylor University campus at 1429 S 5th St, Waco, TX 76706.

What can I find in the collection?

The collection holds nearly 200,000 volumes, over 3,000 serial titles, more than 13,000 audio-visual pieces, over 1.4 million photographs, approximately 15,000 maps, and over 2,500 archival collections. Notable items include photographs by Waco photographer Fred A. Gildersleeve.

When was The Texas Collection founded?

The Texas Collection was established in 1923, starting with a gift of several hundred items from the personal Texas history collection of Dr. Kenneth Hazen Aynesworth.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

The Texas Collection in Waco

The Texas Collection

Established in 1923, The Texas Collection is one of the largest privately held collections of Texana in the world, serving as an archival research center and University Archive for Baylor University.

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What to know

The Texas Collection is a specialized library and archival research center located within the Carroll Library Building on Baylor University's campus in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1923 from a gift of several hundred items from Dr. Kenneth Hazen Aynesworth's personal Texas history collection, it has grown into one of the largest privately held collections of Texana in the world. As the University Archive, it documents the history, heritage, and culture of Texas for both the Baylor community and the general public. Its massive holdings include nearly 200,000 volumes, over 3,000 serial titles, and more than 13,000 audio-visual pieces. The collection also houses over 1.4 million photographs, 15,000 maps, over 3,600 oral history tapes and transcripts, and more than 2,500 archival collections. Beyond traditional books, the archive contains a diverse array of materials such as tax records and floor plans. A highlight of its digital collections is the work of famed Waco photographer Fred A. Gildersleeve, whose large-format and panoramic views of the city provide a visual history of the region.

Nearby context

Situated on the Baylor University campus, The Texas Collection is located in the Carroll Library Building, serving as a hub for Texas history research within the university's academic environment.