Autumn Johnson, Special Collections Librarian and Associate Professor at Georgia Southern University, delivered an engaging presentation to the Bulloch County Historical Society on Monday, January 27, 2025, highlighting the extensive archives and unique resources available at the university’s Special Collections. The event, held at the Historical Society’s meeting space, drew a crowd of local history enthusiasts, researchers, and community members eager to learn more about the preservation and accessibility of historical materials.
Johnson, who has been with Georgia Southern since 2018, oversees the university’s Special Collections, which includes over 500 manuscript collections and more than 5,000 rare books. Among the treasures she shared was the oldest item in the collection: a 1450 Dutch Book of Hours, a medieval prayer book that serves as a teaching tool for students studying the evolution of books and manuscripts.
The Special Collections, housed in the university’s Henderson Library, focuses on four main areas: Georgia Southern University history, the history of Southeast Georgia, rare books, and regional publications. Johnson emphasized the importance of donations, noting that 99% of the collection is acquired through contributions from individuals, families, and organizations. She encouraged attendees to consider donating materials that document local history, ensuring their preservation for future generations.
One of the standout collections is the Bulloch County Historical Society’s records, which began in the 1980s and now comprise a 56-box archive. Johnson also highlighted the collaborative efforts between the university and local organizations, such as Willow Hill Heritage and Renaissance Center, to preserve and share historical materials.
Senator Jack Hill Collection
A particularly notable collection housed at the library is the personal papers of the late Senator Jack Hill, a longtime Georgia legislator and respected public servant. Johnson shared that the Senator Jack Hill Collection is one of the most frequently researched archives in Special Collections. The materials include legislative documents, correspondence, and other records that provide insight into Hill’s decades of service to the state of Georgia. Johnson recounted how the Special Collections team played a crucial role in supporting the creation of a permanent exhibit honoring Senator Hill at the Georgia Southern University Communications Building. The collection continues to be a valuable resource for researchers studying Georgia’s political history and legislative processes.
In addition to preserving physical documents, the Special Collections team has been working to digitize materials, making them accessible online through the university’s Digital Commons platform. This includes digitized newspapers, photographs, and other resources that are searchable and available to the public.
Johnson also shared innovative outreach initiatives, such as game-based learning experiences that use local history to engage students and community members. These include escape rooms based on the Bland family’s ties to the university and the region, as well as virtual experiences that explore the history of Georgia Southern’s campus.
The presentation concluded with a call to action for community members to consider donating historical materials and to explore the resources available at Special Collections. Johnson emphasized the importance of early conversations about donations to ensure materials are preserved and accessible to researchers.
The Bulloch County Historical Society’s next meeting is scheduled for February 24th, where attendees will hear from representatives of the Willow Hill Heritage and Renaissance Center about their ongoing projects and expansion efforts.
For more information about Georgia Southern University’s Special Collections, visit their website at library.georgiasouthern.edu or contact Autumn Johnson at [email protected].
