Current Exhibits

An Enduring Legacy: The Life of Alexander Heard

Alexander Heard was born in 1917 in Savannah, Georgia.  He graduated from the University of North Carolina and received a PhD. from Columbia University before going on to a career in education, public affairs and research.  He served in the Navy during WWII, was a vice consul at the American Embassy in Quito, Ecuador, and an author of numerous books on politics and education.  He served as the fifth Chancellor at Vanderbilt University from 1964 to 1982.

During the 1960’s and 1970’s he served on a number of political and education commissions for presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Richard M. Nixon.  After Heard retired in 1982 he accepted a position with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to study the presidential election process.  From that study he published two books.

Alexander Heard died July 24, 2009.

The exhibit contains photographs, letters, notes and research from his many publications, and memorabilia from his childhood through to his career at Vanderbilt University. Alexander Heard’s full life is documented by the numerous photos of him and his family on display in Special Collections.

For more information, contact Special Collections at (615) 322-2807 or .

Louisa May Alcott

The "Louisa May Alcott" exhibit is on permanent display on the third floor of the Peabody Library. Material donated by Peabody alumna Jane Roller Sights forms the basis of this collection. On exhibit are first edition prints of Alcott's books, ephemera from Alcott's home, personal correspondence and handwritten verses.

For more information, contact Peabody Library.