Subseries A: Correspondence, 1927-1950

Scope and content:

This subseries is housed in 55 boxes, one oversize box and two oversize map folders and is arranged alphabetically with subdivisions for general correspondence, additional correspondence and topics. This is the larger of the two subseries and contains a variety of letters from individuals across the county interested in Virginia history and the historical marker program. Topics include historical inquiries, historical marker inscriptions, investigation of the historical marker program by other states, and the Richmond Battlefield Park. Other topics include work of the Division during World War II, Shenandoah National Park, birthplace of the Wright Brothers mother, and biographical information on Dr. Hamilton J. Eckenrode and Bryan Conrad.

The History Division responded to general historical questions concerning Virginia history from historians, history buffs and students from every part of the country. Virginia's historical marker program was a model for other states and there are inquiries about the program from individuals from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. Many of these letters provide detailed information about the marker system (Eckenrode to Douglas Arant, 31 August 1938) and a summary of how to install markers (Pleasants to Arthur Adams, 24 April 1931).

This subseries is a great source of information on the creation of the Richmond Battlefield Park . Included is a booklet by Eckenrode titled "History of the Richmond Battlefield Parks" dated 23 February 1932, aerial photographs of the park taken in the early 1930s by the United States Army Air Corps as well as correspondence, memorandums and reports on the creation of the park. Several maps of the battlefield from the early 1930s are filed under oversized. Additional information on the Richmond Battlefield Park is located with the correspondence of William E. Carson, Douglas Southall Freeman and Branch Spalding (Subseries B, Correspondence, Dead File).

Correspondence with William A. Wright , chairman of the Virginia Conservation Commission (1942-1948) include a report on the work of the History Division during World War II (5 August 1947) and two memorandums from Eckenrode describing the Division's plans and work during the war (12 August 1944 and March 1946). Information on the Shenandoah National Park includes newspaper clippings, the dedication program of the park (3 July 1936), and three pamphlets: "Shenandoah National Park Project" (n.d.), "A Brief History of the Beginning of the Movement for a National Park in Northern Virginia - Now Known as the Shenandoah National Park" (ca. 1934), and "The Shenandoah National Park Travelogue" (1937). Correspondence between Orville Wright and Wilbur Hall (1932-1933 filed under Wright Brothers ) concern the birthplace of Wright's mother in Virginia. Biographical information on Eckenrode ( Rowland Egger ) and Conrad ( P. Tulane Atkinson , 14 July1945) is also included. Other notable topics include the Bell Tower ( John Garland Pollard , 26 February 1931, 11 October 1932), the State Seal (Pollard, 25 August 1931) and the Growth of the Conservation and Development Commission (Box 13, Folder 9) that includes a brief history and newspaper clippings.

Correspondents include William Sumner Appleton, John Stewart Bryan, Harry F. Byrd, Arthur Kyle Davis, Sr., E. Griffith Dodson, Dr. J.D. Eggleston, E.O. Flippen, Douglas Southall Freeman, Richard A. Gilliam, Wilmer L. Hall, Douglas McArthur, John Garland Pollard, Branch Spalding, and William A. Wright.

Access and use

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