5 things to know

May 10, 2026

The University Archives & Special Collections at the Wilson G. Bradshaw Library advances research by acquiring, preserving and providing public access to original primary source materials. The University Archives is the official institutional repository of records and serves as its institutional memory. The Special Collections actively collects and preserves materials documenting the cultural and environmental history of Southwest Florida. Here are five items to check out:

1.”We Know the Truth” Koreshan Sign

The Koreshan Unity Collection offers a glimpse into the lives of Cyrus R. Teed, a self-proclaimed messiah, and his followers, who sought to establish a utopian community in Estero. The sign represents the members’ conviction in their unique beliefs, which included that the entire universe resided inside the Earth.

1.”We Know the Truth” Koreshan Sign The Koreshan Unity Collection offers a glimpse into the lives of Cyrus R. Teed, a self-proclaimed messiah, and his followers, who sought to establish a utopian community in Estero. The sign represents the members’ conviction in their unique beliefs, which included that the entire universe resided inside the Earth.

2. Lawton Chiles’ Pen

After months of deliberation, Gov. Lawton Chiles used this pen to sign legislation finalizing the name of FGCU on June 21, 1994. Other proposed names included Florida Gulf University, Florida Everglades University, University of the Gulfshore and Calusa State University.

An open Waterman-branded pen case with an orange interior lining, displaying a pen secured by a ribbon inside the box.

3. Kodak No. 2A Brownie Camera

In 1900, the Eastman Kodak Camera Company released the Brownie camera that revolutionized photography. It made photography faster, cheaper and more accessible to the everyday American. The camera was popular for decades and was reimagined into many iterations, including the Model B.

Black vintage Kodak No. 2A Brownie Camera

4. FGCU 1996-97 Catalog

FGCU’s first course catalog was created for the 1996-97 academic year. It was a physical representation of everything Florida’s newest university had to offer. The catalog includes information about FGCU’s founding programs and principles, a campus map and a timeline documenting the university’s creation.

A blue Florida Gulf Coast University catalog from 1996–1997 with the FGCU logo on the cover and a vertical strip of campus photos along the right edge.

5. Tolley Fish Journal Collection

The Tolley Fish Journal Collection consists of more than 1,000 rare journals about fish research produced around the world between 1769 and 2010. The collection was originally curated by renowned ichthyologist, Dr. John C. Briggs, before being acquired by Dr. Greg Tolley and subsequently donated for public access.

Cover of the November 1952 issue of Aquarium Journal, showing the title at the top and a black-and-white photo of a person examining rows of aquariums along the bottom.

If you are interested in learning more, the archives and special collections are open by appointment only. For hours of operation, to make an appointment and learn about the upcoming collections, visit library.fgcu.edu/uasc.