In addition, the Center is the primary depository for documents and records concerning the founding, history, development, and operations of Hardin-Simmons University.
The Hardin-Simmons University Library and the Research Center for the Southwest are named for Dr. Rupert N. Richardson.
Not only was Richardson a student, professor, dean, vice president, and president of Hardin-Simmons University, he was known throughout the country as an eminent historian, scholar, and author of Southwest history.
In conjunction with the Legacy Room, the Archives Room houses primary sources from the prominent families associated with the founding and continuation of the school, including: Simmons, Hardin and Legett.
The digital home of the Research Center for the Southwest's collections, the West Texas Digital Archive is a part of the Portal to Texas History. Here you can find access to many of the collections housed in the Research Center, including: The Brand, the Bronco, the Corral, the Range Rider, Catalogs, and many other HSU collections.
The WTDA is also the digital home of many collections related to Abilene and West Texas including: Sayles Collection, Legett Collection, Sam Houston, and the Jesse Wallace Williams Map Collection, just to name a few.
