Marian Van Landingham Papers, 1979-2006

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888
Restrictions:

Portions of the Subject Files are restricted from public access for 75 years per Code of Virginia 42.1-78. Restricted information in this collection has been sealed but not removed from the collection. The specific material that has been closed is noted in the Contents List of this guide.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Marian Van Landingham Papers, 1979-2010. Accession 42474. Personal papers collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Summary

Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Marian Van Landingham Papers, 1979-2010. Accession 42474. Personal papers collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Papers, 1979-2006, of Marian Van Landingham (b. 1937) of Alexandria, Virginia, who represented the 45th District in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1982 to 2005. Includes legislative files, subject files, "white" files, and campaign files.

Biographical / historical:

Marian Van Landingham was born in Albany, Georgia on 10 September 1937. She graduated from Druid Hills High School in Atlanta in 1955, and then studied political science at Emory University, earning a bachelor's degree in 1959 and a master's degree in 1960. Van Landingham worked in public relations, and in 1967 she moved to Arlington County, Virginia to take a position as an information specialist at the National Air Pollution Agency, a forerunner to the Environmental Protection Agency. She then served as a press aide to Rep. Phil Landrum (D-GA). In 1972, Van Landingham moved to Alexandria. She was also president of the Art League, and became involved in efforts to restore the vacant torpedo plant and turn it into studio space for Alexandria area artists. Van Landingham ran for City Council in 1979, but was defeated by only 800 votes. In 1981, she waged a succesful campaign for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates, and began a career in the General Assembly that would continue for 23 years. She was the first woman to chair the Privileges and Elections Committee, and by the time she retired, she was the most senior woman serving in the House. In 2005, Van Landingham decided not to run for re-election due to health concerns. She continues to maintain her studio at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, and is involved in various philanthropic and humanitarian activities in Alexandria.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Marian Van Landingham, Alexandria.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into the following series:

  • I. Legislative Files.
  • II. Subject Files.
  • III. "White" Files.
  • IV. Campaign Files.
Physical description:
13.225 cubic feet (29 boxes)