Historical repositories preserve primary source materials, including manuscripts. Special collection departments in academic and public libraries, historical societies and national, state, regional, and municipal archives are example of historical repositories.

Wilson Library houses three special collections library departments:

• North Carolina Collection
• Rare Books Collection
• Manuscripts Department

In addition, many organizations and corporations, such as the Harley Davidson Motor Company, Microsoft and the Chicago Art Institute, retain non-current records in corporate or organizational archives.