Special Collections and Archives - Collections

Researching the Collection

To start searching our Regional History Collection Guide click any letter on the menu above, it will take you to brief descriptions of our collections (sorted alphabetically), or search by subject or title in the box above.

Some of the collection's titles will be in blue. These are links to the collection's finding aid. If you need help understanding our finding aids, please click here for a help guide.


(Above) The F. M. Friend Family from the Friend Family Collection	Special Collections and Archives contains approximately 500 linear feet of materials dealing with the history, literature, culture and folk life of Southeast Missouri and the Mississippi River Valley Region. Collection subject strengths include the architectural history of Cape Girardeau County, and the economic development of Southeast Missouri. Among the most significant regional history collections are the papers of railroad entrepreneur Louis Houck. Houck was responsible for much of the railroad building in Southeast Missouri, and for laying the first railroad track into the city of Cape Girardeau. Other notable collections include the Julien Friant Papers, the papers of socialist poet H. H. Lewis, the records of the Himmelberger-Harrison Lumber Company and the records of the Little River Drainage District. Special Collections also has a growing collection of books on regional history topics and on historic preservation. Patrons can locate these works by searching the Kent Library catalog.
		(Above) The Walther Business from the Walther Collection

	(Below) Workers from the camp of J.M. Baker. Ditch 39 from the Little River Drainage District Collection