Trinity University Students Curated Jane Austen Exhibit

The San Antonio university is hosting a special collection exhibition celebrating the author's 250th birthday.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Language Learning

Gouache-painted illustration of antique leather books and a quill pen on a library table, evoking scholarly archival work. — Trinity University students curated a new exhibition at Coates Library featuring rare literary editions to celebrate Jane Austen's 250th birthday. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Trinity University students curated a Jane Austen exhibit in the Coates Library to celebrate the author's 250th birthday anniversary. The exhibition, which features rare editions and artifacts, opened in fall 2026.

Why it matters

The project allowed students to apply literary scholarship for public accessibility by selecting artifacts and writing display labels. It highlights the importance of archiving in preserving historical literary figures.

The exhibit features a 1786 edition of Samuel Johnson's A Dictionary of the English Language as its centerpiece. Visitors can view the display Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment.

The players

Elizabeth Huth Coates Library

This is the primary library facility at Trinity University that houses the Special Collections and Archives.

Betsy Tontiplaphol

She is a contributor whose personal library provided items for the curated Jane Austen display.

Colleen Hoelscher

She serves as a professional partner who worked with the student seminar to organize the exhibit.

The details

Students selected and displayed artifacts from the library's Special Collections and the personal library of Betsy Tontiplaphol. They curated the positioning of books and wrote the accompanying labels to provide context for the rare items.

Colleen Hoelscher partnered with the English seminar in Spring 2026.
The exhibition opened to the public in Fall 2026.

Culture Shift

This exhibition aligns with global commemorative efforts marking the semiquincentennial anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen. It reflects a growing academic trend toward student-led public humanities projects that bridge the gap between classroom theory and community engagement.

Residents in San Antonio can visit the exhibit at the university library during the fall semester to view rare literary artifacts in person. The opportunity provides an accessible way for the public to engage with specialized archival materials.

The takeaway

Engaging directly with archival materials allows students and the public to develop a deeper connection to literary history. Visitors are encouraged to plan their trip to the library during the designated weekday afternoon hours.