The Blues Archive
The Blues Archive at the University of Mississippi preserves one of the world’s largest collections of blues music and related materials. Explore rare recordings, photographs, books, memorabilia, and more.
The Blues Archive
The Blues Archive at the University of Mississippi acquires and preserves blues and blues-related materials in a variety of formats for scholars and blues fans alike. With thousands of sound recordings, photographs, videos, books, periodicals, newsletters, research collections, memorabilia, and more the Blues Archive houses one of the largest blues collections in the world.
Highlights include B. B. King’s personal record collection, the Jim O’Neal and Amy van Singel Living Blues Collection, the Trumpet Records Collection, the Sheldon Harris 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 J.D. Williams Library.
- See the Blues Subject Guide for help with blues research.
Contact Us
Please contact Archives & Special Collections if you are planning research, wishing to organize a tour, or have any questions not answered on this site.
Hours
Monday – Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Closed for university holidays
Department of Archives & Special Collections
J.D. Williams Library, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38655
Blues Archive News
Preserving Music History: UM Blues Archive Celebrates 40 Years
Special collection available for viewing as staff plans for digital expansion