Special Collections has a sizeable artifact collection, inventories and preserves University historic objects and is responsible for curating University Libraries exhibits.

Exhibits

Current exhibits are mounted in Cooper Library and in the Strom Thurmond Institute building. They change every few months and include both exhibits created in-house and traveling exhibits from other organizations.

Contact Sue Hiott for more information or if you have an idea for a future exhibit.

Artifact Collection

A number of the items in the artifact collection were given by U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond. These include souvenirs of world travels, such as a detailed 1/5th size replica of the Chunma-Chong gold crown from 5th-6th century Korea; an Iraqi rocket-propelled grenade launcher captured during Operation Desert Storm; constituent mail written on blocks of wood and a coconut; a selection of presidential campaign pins and other memorabilia, 1930s-present, including Strom Thurmond's 1948 States Rights Party campaign; and the Clemson Medallion awarded to the Senator by the University in 1981.

Among the items in the artifact collection are:

• some items from the museum collection that was once in Sikes Hall
• Clemson University objects
• a small collection of Native American artifacts
• objects relating to agriculture
• objects relating to the textile industry
• memorabilia from U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond
• items that were donated with other manuscript collections

University Historic Objects Program

In 1996 the Board of Trustees gave Special Collections the responsibility of identifying, inventorying and preserving historic objects belonging to the University both on and off-campus; the Unit is assisted in this task by the University's Heritage Advisory Committee. Historic objects are defined as

. . . a three-dimensional item, excluding documents and photographs, which has a specific connection to the unique history of Clemson University. It may be associated with individuals significant in the development of the University, represent the traditions of daily life at the University or mark a momentous event in the history of the University.

A "historic object" also may include items which have significant cultural, artistic, historical, monetary or association value but which are not specifically related to Clemson University's unique history if those items were used at the University or are associated with University alumni. These items will be listed on the campus inventory at the discretion of the Heritage Advisory Committee.

Please contact Sue Hiott at (864) 656-0665, hiotts@clemson.edu if you have a historic object that needs to be added to the inventory or if you have any questions concerning historic objects.