Explore Alabama and Southern United States history through these unique digital collections. These collections offer a glimpse into the social, political, and economic history of Alabama through photographs, correspondence and historical postcards.

Explore the Samford Special Collection's various photograph and postcard collections to learn more about Alabama's unique history.

Historical Alabama Photographs Collection

While many of the photographs in this collection are centered on the Birmingham-metro area, the collection also documents the social, political, and economic life of Alabamians across the state over the past two centuries.

Alabama Postcards Collection

Take a splash into Alabama's past in this unique digital collection of nearly 400 vintage Alabama-related postcards.

Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Co. Photos

This collection consists of photographs that document the many mining communities, locations, and infrastructures associated with the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company in the state of Alabama.

Steamboats Collection

The Steamboats Collection consists of digitized photographs and clippings related to historical steamboats in Alabama and the surrounding states. The coverage of the material in this collection ranges from the late 19th to the early 20th centuries.

Delve into the personal missives of Alabamians over the last 200 years to learn more about our state's unique history.

Manuscripts Collection

From an 1827 letter written by the fourth governor of Alabama to early 20th century correspondence between Alabama native and Hollywood movie star actress Lois Wilson, this collection illustrates the unique history of Alabama and the Southern United States through handwritten material.

Thomas L. Fielder Collection of Civil War Letters

An attorney and owner of the Troy Advertiser in Pike County, Alabama, Thomas L. Fielder (1835-1862) served as a quartermaster sergeant with the 3rd Battalion, Hilliard's Legion, Alabama Volunteers, Company E during the early years of the Civil War.

William Thomas Jackson Collection of Civil War Letters

Many of these letters were written by Private William Thomas Jackson, who served with Company A of the 8th Alabama Infantry Regiment to his wife, Mary Ellen Jackson and to his mother, Balzora Jackson.