Welcome to the Historical Research Center! 

The mission of the Historical Research Center is to collect, preserve, and provide access to materials related to the history of UAMS and the history of the health sciences in Arkansas. The Historical Research Center also provides research assistance for those interested in the history of medicine and health sciences in Arkansas. The Center installs and maintains rotating exhibits highlighting items from its collections throughout the Library and UAMS campus, including the History Display located in the lobby area of the Central Building.

Please contact us if you are interested in researching Arkansas's medical history.

The Historical Research Center is located on the fifth floor of the Library, Room 5/109. It is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. See the Library Calendar for holiday closings. Researchers may access the Historical Research Center via the staircase or the elevator located on the 1st floor of the Library in the Active Learning Center (ALC) to access the Historical Research Center.

The Robert Watson History of Medicine Room, a component of the HRC, is located on the first floor of the UAMS Library, adjacent to the Active Learning Center. This room features exhibits showcasing the contributions of Robert C. Watson, M.D. (1908-1994), who was known as the the "father of neurosurgery in Arkansas."  A native of Mena, Arkansas, Dr. Watson graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine (now UAMS) in 1935.

The Watson Room was furnished and dedicated in 1980, by Dr. Watson's professional associates in his honor upon his retirement from an active practice of neurosurgery. Donors for the Watson Room included Drs. W. Ray Jouett, John H. Adametz, Robert D. Dickins Jr., Wilbur M. Giles, David L. Reding, and Ronald N. Williams. In 2021, Dr. Watson's daughter, Lindsey Watson Allen, and granddaughter, Katharine Allen Adams, generously underwrote the installation of a new exhibit case in the room.

The Historical Research Center seeks additional items and materials for its collection that document the history of the health sciences in Arkansas . If you have materials you wish to donate, please contact Tim Nutt at (501) 686-6735 or tgnutt@uams.edu. The following information provides additional guidance for donations, but the staff of the Historical Research Center is available in person to answer any questions you might have regarding donations.