AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas at Austin received a collection donation from “Saturday Night Live” creator Lorne Michaels. The donation includes an archive of documents on Michaels’ career in television and the nearly 50-year history of “Saturday Night Live.” “I’m confident for years to come his archive will be studied by students and researchers looking for insight into the social, political and cultural history of our time," said Ransom Center Director Stephen Enniss. "We are deeply grateful to him for entrusting this rich legacy to us.” Newspaper advertisement for NBC’s Saturday Night, 1975. Lorne Michaels Collection. Harry Ransom Center.Unidentified photographer, [Lorne Michaels], 2000s. Lorne Michaels Collection. Harry Ransom Center.Edie Baskin, [Shelley Duvall, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, Lorne Michaels, and Laraine Newman], 1977. Lorne Michaels Collection. Harry Ransom Center.Edie Baskin, [Slides of photo bumpers for Saturday Night Live Seasons 1-5], 1970s. Lorne Michaels Collection. Harry Ransom Center.Unidentified photographer, [David Spade, Lorne Michaels, and Chris Farley], ca. 1995. Lorne Michaels Collection. Harry Ransom Center.Unidentified photographer, [Lorne Michaels and Ray Charles], 1977. Lorne Michaels Collection. Harry Ransom Center.Clipping from TV Times for The Hart and Lorne Terrific Hour, ca. 1971. Lorne Michaels Collection. Harry Ransom Center.Michael Dobo, [Lorne Michaels with Dave Wilson and Chevy Chase], 1978. Lorne Michaels Collection. Harry Ransom Center. The “Live From New York! The Making of Lorne Michaels” exhibition is expected to open Sept. 20 and be on view through March 15, 2026, according to the center. The exhibition is expected to “highlight key moments from SNL’s history and its role in reflecting and shaping societal discourse on politics, culture and identity.” The collection includes: behind-the-scenes rehearsal notes for SNL annotated scripts drafts correspondence audiovisual materials photographs artifacts and more SNL, which debuted in 1975, has launched many careers, including those of Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Bill Murray. “The Ransom Center’s dedication to preserving and promoting the arts and humanities ensures that the legacy of 'Saturday Night Live' and Michaels' broader career will continue to inform and inspire future generations,” the center said. “Through meticulous cataloging, conservation, teaching and public programming, the Center will facilitate a deeper understanding of the significant contributions of Lorne Michaels and his many collaborators.”