The Manuscript section of Special Collections (Olin Library - Level 1) holds collections of literary papers, press archives, and magazine archives. Tip: Finding aids are guides to locating material within collections. Here's an example of one: Finding Aid for the Howard Nemerov papers. Also, there are some rules that you should browse first before using the collections.

Online access to most Manuscript materials is not available, but you can see what's there by browsing these finding aids:
WU Libraries Manuscript Collection by Author/Title
WU Libraries Manuscript Finding-Aids by Genre, Format, and Subject

The University Archives section of Special Collections holds collections of Washington University history and 20th century St. Louis history, including business, politics, social welfare, and transportation. To visit the University Archives you will need to go to the West Campus Library at 7425 Forsyth Blvd., Lower Level. You will also want to contact the Archives before your visit to make sure that someone will be there to assist you. You can reach them at 935-5444.

You can view select photographs of Washington University history here:
WU Archives Class Resources for Writing 1

You can browse this list of collections held in the University Archives to get an idea of what's there:
WU Archives List of All Collections

Here's a shorter list of their collections pertaining to St. Louis:
St. Louis-Related and Miscellaneous Collections

The Film and Media Archive section of Special Collections consists mostly of audio and audiovisual materials relating to the American Civil Rights Movement. You'll also need to contact the Film Archive before your visit to arrange a time to works for them. You can call them at 935-8679.

The Henry Hampton Collection comprises the largest collection held in the Film and Media Archive. This is a collection of films and materials produced by Blackside, Inc., the largest African-American-owned film production company of its time. Hampton, who established Blackside, chronicled the 20th century's great political and social movements, focusing on the lives of the poor an disenfranchised.

Here's a link to the list of documentaries in the Hampton Collection: (Click on the links on the left to see the descriptions.)
Henry Hampton Collection

WU Digital Gateway
American Memory from the Library of Congress
National Archives Videos
Images Canada
In the First Person
LACMA Collections Online
Making of America
New York Public Library Digital Library Collection
Virtually Missouri
Calisphere