The Department of Archives and Special Collections

Collections >> The Blues Archive

The Blues Archive at the University of Mississippi acquires and conserves blues and blues-related materials in a variety of formats for scholars of the blues, African American studies, and southern culture.  With over 50,000 sound recordings, in most audio formats; over 15,000 photographs; more than 350 videotapes; over 3,000 books, periodicals and newsletters; and numerous manuscripts and ephemera, the Blues Archive houses one of the largest collections of blues recordings, publications, and memorabilia in the world.  Important collections include B. B. King's personal record collection, the Jim O'Neal and Amy van Singel / Living Blues Collection, the Trumpet Records Collection, the John Richbourg Collection, and the Percy Mayfield collection.

Established in 1984, the Blues Archive serves not only students and faculty within the University of Mississippi, but researchers worldwide.  This non-circulating collection is located within the Department of Archives and Special Collections on the third floor of the John Davis Williams Library.  Audio and video recordings may be accessed in the Special Collections media room.  The Archive is open Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, except during selected University holidays.

Please contact the department if you are planning research, wishing to organize a tour, or have any questions not answered on this site.

Policies for usage of materials and donations.

Inventories for collections from the archive that are currently accessible. Additional inventories will be added once they are arranged.

Contact information for the Blues Curator.

Hyperlinks to Blues-related Web Sites.