Paul Philemon Kies, a popular English professor, was known for his collections during his time at Washington State College. He filled his office and home with rare books, autographs, letters, and photographs. Some of these included a note from Sarah Bernhardt, a letter from Pearl S. Buck, a government document signed by Adolph Hitler, and a copy of a poem by Langston Hughes. After Kies’ death in 1971, WSU bought his collection (more than 400 artifacts) and moved it into the archives for safekeeping.