This page lists current and past full-size physical exhibits curated by Distinctive Collections staff (mini exhibits are excluded). Where possible, links are included to blog write-ups of the exhibits. Sometimes a physical exhibit has a digital version as well and these are linked when available. For a full list of digital exhibits (including digital-only exhibits), see Online Library Exhibits.
Current Exhibit
- Divine Inspiration: Revealing the Sacred in Biblical Texts and Imagery (Fall 2023) [blog]
Past Exhibits
- Poetic License: Seven Curators' Poetry Selections from Distinctive Collections (Spring 2023) [blog]
- Art of War: Illustrated and Military Maps of the Twentieth Century (Fall 2022) [blog]
- Of Peas and Bees: Gregor Mendel, O.S.A. Bicentennial Exhibit (Summer 2022) [blog]
- "That Fairyland of Ice": Polar Exploration in Mind and Memory (Spring 2022) [blog] [digital version]
- Cabinets of Curiosity: Highlights from Special Collections (Fall 2021)
- "Be Not Afraid of Greatness": Celebrating the History of Villanova Theatre (Spring 2020 - Summer 2021) [blog] [digital version]
- "Scraps for Keeps": Scrapbooks and Photo Albums from Distinctive Collections (Fall 2019) [blog] [digital version]
- Happily Forever After: The Timeless Relevance of Fairy Tales (Summer 2019) [blog]
- “A Heart and A Hand for Our Fair Land”: The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and Irish American Culture (Spring 2019) [blog]
- “Now Far from Home”: The Ending of the Great War in Popular Imagination and Culture (Fall 2018)
- Timeless Treasures: Recent Acquisitions in Distinctive Collections (Summer 2018) [blog]
- Around the World: Selections from the Smith Antique Map Collection (Spring 2018)
- Wildcats Past & Present: Moments from the History of Sports at Villanova (Fall 2017) [blog] [digital version]
- Blood and Soul: The Russian Revolutions of 1917 (Spring & Summer 2017) [blog] [digital version]
- Jean Heck, PhD: Collector of the Sacred (Winter 2016-2017) [blog]
- Are We There Yet? Travel, Tourism, & Exploration (Fall 2016) [blog] [digital version]
- Cabinets of Curiosity: Highlights from Special Collections (Summer 2016) [blog]
- To Strike for Freedom! The 1916 Easter Rising (Spring 2016) [blog] [digital version]
- Gregor Mendel, OSA, and the Origin of Genetics (Fall 2015) [blog]
- Cabinets of Curiosity: Highlights from Special Collections (Summer 2015)
- "Too Fast for Any Submarine": The Last Voyage of the Lusitania (Spring 2015) [blog]
- "I Am the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25): An Easter Celebration from Special Collections (March/April 2015) [blog]
- Home Before the Leaves Fall: Lost Memories of the Great War (Fall 2014)
- Interactive Fiction: An Exhibit Where YOU Are the Hero (Summer 2014) [blog]
- Extra! Extra! Newspapers in Special Collections (Spring 2014) [blog]
- Christmas in Special Collections (December 2013) [blog]
- Paper for the People: Dime Novels and Early Mass Market Publishing (Summer 2013) [blog] [digital version]
- "I Am the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25): An Easter Celebration from Special Collections (March/April 2013) [blog]
- Curtain Call: Theatrical Materials in Special Collections and the University Archives (Spring 2013) [blog]
- "Go Cats Go" – Moments from the History of Athletics at Villanova University (Fall 2012) [blog]
- Cabinets of Curiosities: Highlights from Special Collections (Summer 2012) [blog]
- The Printed Saint Augustine: Early Editions in Special Collections (Spring 2011) [blog] [digital version]
- Rambles, Sketches, Tours: Travellers & Tourism in Ireland (Fall 2010) [blog] [digital version]
- Jack Butler Yeats: Drawings & Illustrations (Spring/Summer 2010) [blog] [digital version]
- Christmas in Special Collections (December 2009) [blog]
- Father Blanco’s Garden (Fall 2009) [blog]
- The Roycrofters: A Little Journey to the Home of Elbert Hubbard (Spring 2009) [blog]
