Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

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Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Official Archives of George Mason University. Sharing manuscripts, rare books, digital records, and so much more!

Note: we do not monitor this account for patron requests. Please email [email protected] with all questions and requests. Please contact [email protected] for any reference inquiries.

09/04/2026

Our latest blog previews more new and updated finding aids including a World War II veteran photo scrapbook, French Revolution currency, University Archives, maps, and a NASA tape. All now available for use in the Special Collections Research Center. Follow the link to learn more: https://vault217.gmu.edu/?p=12112

09/03/2026

Join the Special Collections Research Center as we celebrate the start of Virginia Archives Month with “The rest is silence: Monumental Brass Rubbings”. This event will include a presentation by guest speaker Dr. Jacqueline M. Burek, Associate Professor in Medieval Literature, and a display of Brass Rubbings and related materials from SCRC collections...
When: September 30, 2026 - 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Where: Main Reading Room, Fenwick Library
No registration is required; all are welcome!

Follow the link to learn more: https://gmu.libcal.com/event/17371765

09/02/2026

Today's edition deals with the George Mason University Fairfax Campus in the fall of 1975. While the University owned all of the land in the second photograph, it had only built on less than 40% of the available land by 1975. At that time Patriot Circle was only half-finished, and there was no vehicle access to campus from Braddock Road (at the top of this image). Cars could enter via ) Ox Road (on the right) or Roberts Road (on the left). Trails from Braddock Road leading to and through the property had existed since the 1800s when it was a farm owned by the Farr family. In the fall of 1975, the university designated one of the two trails pictured in this aerial photo as the "Path to Campus" for pedestrians who wanted to access the campus from Braddock Road. Of which one, we are unsure, but one may assume that walkers used both of these trails during this time. From the Broadside photographs (R00135) and George Mason University Facilities records (R0017). Mason Libraries George Mason University Alumni Association Mason Parking & Transportation Mason Facilities

08/27/2026

Come and celebrate Virginia Archives Season at the Mason Libraries Archives Fair, hosted by the Special Collections Research Center📚 In attendance will be multiple archival repositories from Virginia and the D.C.-Metro area. This is a great opportunity to learn about local archival resources, research and internship opportunities, and to speak to archives professionals. We hope to see you there!
…
When: September 23, 2026 - 12-3 PM
Where: Main Reading Room, Fenwick Library
No registration necessary!

Follow the link to learn more: https://gmu.libcal.com/event/17413398

08/26/2026

Today's features George Mason University's WGMU Radio. Located in the Johnson Center, student-run WGMU has been in operation since 1980. Originally broadcasting from Thompson Hall, the studio moved to the JC with its opening in 1995.

WGMU has provided students with an opportunity to learn broadcasting, programming, news, music, and production. Initially operating as a low-power AM radio station which could only be heard within the boundaries of the Fairfax Campus, WGMU became an online station in 1999. Today, WGMU is part of the Office of Student Media and features music, talk, and other special programming. It is the flagship station for Mason Men's and Women's Basketball, producing student play-by-play broadcasts as part of the Go Mason Digital Network. Images are from the George Mason University yearbook collection (R0132) Broadside student newspaper photographs collection (R0135), and George Mason University Office of University Branding. Mason Libraries George Mason University Alumni Association Mason Student Centers George Mason University Student Media

08/25/2026

Check out our latest blog, where we explore our Motion picture press kits collection. We delve into the history of press kits and the unique features that make them a valuable resource for film history! To learn more about this collection, visit: https://vault217.gmu.edu/?p=12082

08/21/2026

For this month’s we’re continuing to highlight our current exhibit “Pulp Fictions” and diving into a very special edition of the novel “Fahrenheit 451” just in time to celebrate author Ray Bradbury’s birthday tomorrow, August 22.

08/19/2026

? Not exactly, but this week George Mason University hosted the U.S. Chess Federation’s 77th Annual U.S. Open, and, from August 15 through 27, 1976, was the center of the universe for fans and members of the U.S. Chess Federation.

Given that previous and later U.S. Opens were held in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Boston, it seemed unlikely that a young, small and relatively unknown state university in Fairfax, Virginia would be tapped to host such a prestigious tournament, yet 566 chess masters from around the country and the world filled the Student Union and Krug Hall to vie for a total purse of $10,100 (over 60,000 in today’s dollars). In true Cold War fashion, Leonid Shamkovich and Anatoly Lein of the Soviet Union took the top two spots, each earning $1,675.00 (over $9,800 today). Images are from George Mason University Office of University Relations news clippings and press releases records, , the George Mason University Broadside student newspapers, and Broadside student newspaper photographs, .
Please feel free to share with anyone who might enjoy! US Chess Federation Mason Libraries George Mason University Alumni Association GMU Chess Club

08/13/2026

For today’s , we’re highlighting classic Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen with this Franklin Library leatherbound, illustrated collection of six of his plays. This anthology includes notable Ibsen works A Doll’s House, Ghosts, The Master Builder, The Enemy of the People, Hedda Gabler, and The Wild Duck. Plays of Henrik Ibsen is a part of Franklin Library’s “100 Greatest Books of All Time” series, which published important works of literature from around the world in leatherbound, gilt-edged, illustrated editions for classic lovers to treasure! This book features illustrations that depict key scenes from Ibsen’s plays in vivid detail. Henrik Ibsen was a pioneer playwright in terms of theatrical realism and “drawing room” plays, a kind of play that takes place in an upper or middle-class home where the characters must confront a prescient social problem. Along with other notable 19th century playwrights like Anton Chekhov, Henrik Ibsen is considered one of the most important figures in the development of modernist theater as well.

From: PN35.F7

08/10/2026

Throughout August & September we’ll be highlighting our current exhibit: “Pulp Fictions”. Today we take a closer look into some of the papers, literally, by diving into the art of watermarks.

Address

Fenwick Library MS 2FL, George Mason University
Fairfax, VA
22030

Telephone

(703)9932220

Website

http://scrc.gmu.edu/

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