Howard University in Washington, D.C., holds collections of historical documents in the Moorland Springarn Research Center. These include primary documents from many historical figures including Frederick Douglass. The collection also includes materials from "Negro Soldiers in the Union Army During the Civil War," and copies of diaries, correspondence, legal documents, genealogical records, memorabilia, photographs, scrapbooks, sheet music and other printed matter. These materials are available for research on-site, but do not circulate.
Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston, Tex., holds the Heartman Collection in the Special Collections department of the Robert J. Terry Library. The collection includes over 11,000 books, pamphlets, slave narratives, journals, musical scores, and other documents. It is one of the largest collections of African American materials in the Southwest. The library continues to acquire more of these materials. The collection requires special care and handling so researchers may study these materials while in the Special Collections department, but may not remove them.
Tuskegee University of Tuskegee, Ala., holds materials published in the 19th century in their library's Rare Book Room. These include documents dealing with the institution of slavery and early African American literature. Many of the books and pamphlets are priceless first editions. Many are quite fragile and must be handled with great care. Therefore, the Rare Book Room is not open to the public, but researchers may request an appointment to access materials for research.
NC Central's James E. Shepherd Library holds a collection including numerous works written during the pre-Civil War era. They are housed in the library's Treasure Room. Many of the works are original primary source material consisting of slave narratives. The collection also includes antislavery pamphlets and 19th century newspapers. The archival items held in the Treasure Room are available for on-site examination. Researchers should contact the library's reference department.