We collect and make accessible: Manuscript collections Rare books Rice University Archives Subscribe to our blog to find out what's newly digitized! Subject strengths: Institutional records of Rice University Rice University personalities History of science and humanities United States Civil War and Southern history British history and drama Houston and Texas history and culture
We are open to the public and invite research in all our materials.						Keeping Cool, circa 1950s.  Original photo located in the Woodson Research Center, MS 500 Panhandle Eastern Corp. Historical Records, 1927-1997, box 233.40.

Fourth of July Closing: The Woodson will be closed Friday, July 3 through Monday, July 6. The Woodson will resume normal hours on Tuesday, July 7.

Normal Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Some materials are stored off-site; please call ahead for specific information, 713-348-2586.

Contact Us:

Mission:
The mission of the Woodson Research Center, like that of its parent body, the Fondren Library of Rice University in Houston, Texas, is to support the institutional, research and public service programs of the University. The Center collects, organizes, preserves and describes official records of the University, special collections of rare books and manuscripts; it makes these materials available for Rice faculty, students and alumni, as well as local, national and international researchers via exhibitions, lectures, and other public events, and by publishing print and web-based materials highlighting the department's primary source collections. The Woodson Research Center’s strong service tradition and commitment to technology enhances access to and aids in the preservation of rare materials, and facilitates long-distance study and teaching.

Scope of Collections:
Woodson’s collections include the institutional records of Rice University created or used in the course of institutional business; special collections of rare books, personal as well as institutional papers, photographs, audio, video and artifacts materials with the following main areas of interests: Rice University personalities; history of science and humanities; United States Southern history and Civil War; British history and drama; Houston and Texas entrepreneurs, business, performing arts, religion and political activities.

Volunteers and Interns:
Volunteers and interns at the Woodson Research Center work in many ways to ensure the long-term physical stability of our rare books, archives, and manuscripts, so that they will remain available to researchers. Book box making, mylar encapsulation of fragile paper, manuscript research and indentification of photographs are just a few of the tasks taken on by volunteers.

• WRC staff will answer reference queries from the Woodson website (sent to the woodson@rice.edu address) in full within one business day, or will send an acknowledgement of the query within one business day if the answer will require more time or more information from the patron.
• WRC staff will greet each reading room patron with a smile and conduct basic opening and closing reference interviews with them to be sure their research needs are met, meaning that they found what they were looking for or if we do not have what they need we were able to suggest research alternatives.
• WRC staff will maintain an informative website, posting new information (such as finding aids for WRC collections and exhibit information) as soon as it becomes available, checking the site on a bi-weekly basis for broken links and outdated information.