Home to one of the largest blues collections in the world, the University of Mississippi Blues Archive celebrated its 40th anniversary with performances by singer Libby Rae Watson and band Afrissippi on Friday, Sept. 13 in the J.D. Williams Library. The event also included a special look at a new exhibit commemorating the archive’s anniversary.
Blues Archive Curator Greg Johnson talked about the importance of the UM Blues Archive to the university.
“(The Blues Archive) makes blues and blues-related materials (accessible) in a variety of formats (for) blues fans and researchers all over the world. I think it’s really important that this type of thing exists in a Mississippi institution,” Johnson said. “Mississippi’s connection with the development of the blues is just so integral to the entire genre.”
The Blues Archive is the largest collection of blues memorabilia in the world. It showcases 100,000 sound recordings, including some of the rarest blues records. Additionally, it boasts over 300,000 photographs, 1,000 videos and 6,000 pieces of print media on the blues, including books, newsletters, manuscripts and periodicals.
Johnson explained the influence of the blues on music history and culture.
“(As for) The Rolling Stones (and) Led Zeppelin … their music is so rooted in the blues and even a lot of country, like Jimmie Rodgers, the father of country music and Hank Williams … I really hope a lot of our students can come see the exhibit,” Johnson said. “I think this would be a good introduction for people to get a sense of a little bit more understanding of the blues and find some materials that will help them understand it.”
Kelsey Fox, an English PhD student and graduate assistant in the UM Blues Archive, spoke about her fondness for the collection.
“It’s really fun to see students come in and wander through it,” Fox said. “It’s a great archive.”
Johnson explained when people can visit the exhibit.
“We’re open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, so anytime during those hours, people can just show up and look at the exhibit,” Johnson said.
The Blues Archive exhibit can be found on the third floor of the J.D. Williams Library and is open to the public until September 2025.
