The North Carolina Collection, located in historic Wilson Special Collections Library on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, traces its origins to the founding of the North Carolina Historical Society in 1844. Since then, the North Carolina Collection’s Research Library has grown to become the largest collection of printed materials related to a single state.
The Research Library’s holdings are especially strong in printed materials relating to the history and culture of North Carolina, from the earliest accounts of explorers along the North American coast to present-day books and journals. There are extensive holdings of maps, newspapers, and photographs in the NCC and an unparalleled collection of North Carolina literary works. The Research Library also holds two valued collections of materials. The Thomas Wolfe Collection includes correspondence, manuscripts, legal documents, family memorabilia, printed material, photographs, clippings, and recorded materials by and about Asheville-born writer Thomas Wolfe. The Sir Walter Raleigh Collection includes books, pamphlets, brochures, manuscripts and audiovisual materials by and about Sir Walter Raleigh and English exploration during the Elizabethan era.
Please see Prepare for Your Visit for information on accessing materials.
North Carolina Collection
PO Box 8890
Wilson Special Collections Library, CB #3930
Chapel Hill, NC 27515-8890
Phone: 919-962-3765
Email: wilsonlibrary@unc.edu
