Special Collections & University Archives: Home

South Texas and Northeast Mexico Collections

Special Collections and Archives is the first stop for any student, faculty, public patron, or visiting researcher wishing to learn more about the region of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico.  Our collections include books, periodicals, maps, oral histories, and archival materials concerning the Lower Rio Grande Valley, the broader southern Texas and Mexico Rio Grande border region, Mexican American culture and identity, and the Mexican War. Our services include research appointments, tours, instructional sessions, and exhibits.

Special Collections & Archives Mission

As a component of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Library, Special Collections & University Archives plays a critical role in the commitment of UTRGV to academic excellence in a balanced program of research and service. The collections provide documentation which supports the research of the history, development, traditions, and activities of south Texas and northeastern Mexico. Its main feature is to facilitate scholarship by acquiring, preserving, and making accessible regional information through published and original archival materials to students, faculty, and visiting scholars, both in person and digitally. 

Brownsville and Edinburg Locations

The University Library in Edinburg and Brownsville hold unique collections relating to southern Texas and northeastern Mexico and the broader border region, as well as the archives of UTRGV and its legacy institutions. Instruction and reference services are provided on both an individual and group basis. Please contact us for more information or to set up an appointment, archives@utrgv.edu.