The Gaylord Marr Collection was a gift of Olga Marr in the summer of 2011. The expansive nature of this collection is a reflection of Professor Marr’s long and prestigious career in academia. A series of personal documents feature Marr’s private diaries and many manuscripts of his own writings, as well as material from his college years and other items related to his day to day life and career. Marr’s teaching life is represented here by many documents and course materials related to his work at the university level, along with writings and other documents related to the categories of the classes he taught (Radio, Speech, etc.). A periodical series, featuring magazines, newsletters, publications, and newspaper clipping, along with over 22,000 photographs from TV shows and films, reflect Marr as the consummate collector. The work he did in the theatre has its own large series, and contains documents and memorabilia from countless productions. A large portion of the photograph series are images from Marr’s theatre work.

The audiovisual materials contain a broad range of recorded radio broadcast, also known as transcription discs, mostly spanning 1940s - 1970s. Types of programs in the collection include, radio dramas, sports, comedies, music, variety shows, news, interviews, political speeches, commercial jingles, plays, educational programs, religious programs, and holiday programs. Many of the recordings are produced by the United States Government and its military branches, French Broadcasting System, World Program Service, RCA, Columbia Broadcasting System, NBC, Standard Program Library, United Nations, South African Broadcasting Corporation Overseas Transcription Service, and RadiOzark. This extensive collection of broadcasts is an excellent representation of the Golden Age of Radio.