Collections & Exhibits

Special Collections

Our Special Collections house approximately 20 distinctive collections featuring rare books, journals, and publications authored by Drake faculty and alumni. These collections provide invaluable insight into the academic contributions and legacy of the Drake community and grant researchers access to rare and unique materials.

Featured Collections

Alumni Authors Collection

The Archives and Special Collections maintains an ever-growing collection of works by Drake University Alumni. Notable authors include Susan Glaspell, Phil Stong, Steve Allen, Ira Levin, and Bill Bryson.

Artist's Books Collection

Artist’s books are works of art that draw their inspiration from the structure or function of a book. The artist’s books collection at Drake University Archives and Special Collections includes handmade books produced in small editions, made by local, national, and international artists. These works include traditional and avant-garde techniques in papermaking and book binding to produce unique canvasses for printing, drawing, writing, and painting.

Divinity School Collection

When Drake University was founded in 1881, the institution was associated with the Disciples of Christ religion. As such, the university offered courses in the Bible College (later renamed Divinity School) with the goal of preparing students for a career in the ministry. The books in the Divinity School Collection include those written by Drake University faculty as well as works related to the Disciples of Christ religion and history.

Faculty Authors Collection

The Archives and Special Collections maintains a robust, and ever-growing collection of works written by Drake University faculty.

Haynes Collection

Kenneth L. Haynes, a Des Moines architect and patron of the arts, donated his collection of fine arts and limited-edition books to Cowles Library in 1968. Haynes, who was responsible for supervising the construction of several buildings at Drake University in the 1920s and 1930s, later joined the firm of Eero Saarinen and Associates where he served as architectural coordinator on several award-winning Saarinen designed projects.

Iowana Collection

The Iowana Collection in Archives and Special Collections includes reference books and historical works related to the history of Iowa, with a special emphasis on the history of Des Moines and Polk County.

Maddie Levitt Rare Books

This collection of rare books was donated to Cowles Library by Maddie Levitt. A generous philanthropist and fund-raiser, Levitt served on the Board of Trustees and was responsible for raising more than $130 million dollars for Drake University.

Phillips-Schrock White House Collection

This collection of works related to the history of the White House, was donated to Archives and Special Collections by Patrick Phillips-Schrock, an author and architectural historian who earned his master’s degree in history from Drake University in 1980.

Rod Henshaw Collection

Donated to Drake University Archives and Special Collections by former Cowles Library Dean Rod Henshaw, this wide-ranging collection includes works by Arthur Conan Doyle, H.P. Lovecraft, and Ray Bradbury, as well as books related to Sherlock Holmes, science fiction, and Civil War history.

W. Dean Eastman Collections

In addition to the personal papers of W. Dean Eastman, a nationally recognized educator and author who graduated from Drake University in 1970, this collection includes books, and other materials related to the history of New England. Eastman, a nationally recognized educator and author, was the recipient of the 1991 Drake Alumni Achievement Award, as well as the 1994 Drake School of Education Achievement Award.