Bridwell Exhibit Showcases Artifacts From Methodist Archives

Bridwell Library at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University announces an exhibition highlighting 77 documents and artifacts from within the historical archives owned by Bridwell Library.

The exhibition, which runs through June 30, 2017, may be viewed in Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Galleries located within Bridwell Library.

Archives are groups of historical records documenting the lives of individuals and the activities of organizations. Archives are also the repositories that house such records. Bridwell Library is an archive of many archives where researchers may access more than half a mile of archival materials documenting the history of the Methodist movement.

The historical records owned by Bridwell Library comprise three closely-related archives: the Perkins School of Theology Archive, the Bridwell Library Archive and the Methodist Studies Archive. Additionally, four United Methodist bodies lodge their archival materials here in order to enhance both preservation and access. The archivists of the South Central Jurisdiction, the North Texas Annual Conference, the Rio Texas Annual Conference and the Texas United Methodist Historical Society work closely with the archivist of Bridwell Library to manage the most extensive set of Methodist-related primary resources in the southwestern United States.

The archival program at Bridwell Library serves the historical research community by collecting, preserving, arranging and describing historical records; promoting awareness and facilitating use of the archival collections; assisting researchers in person and remotely; curating exhibitions; and making presentations to university classes and outside groups. This exhibition explores the diversity of archival records held by and hosted by Bridwell Library.

For more information, contact the exhibition curator, Bridwell Archivist Timothy S.G. Binkley, 214-768-1989.

For more information about Bridwell Library: www.smu.edu/bridwell, 214-768-3483 or bridadmin@smu.edu

Information about public parking at SMU (including maps of the SMU campus): www.smu.edu/maps. 

Perkins School of Theology, founded in 1911, is one of five official University-related schools of theology of The United Methodist Church. Degree programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Pastoral Music as well as the Ph.D., in cooperation with The Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU’s Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.