E. Alvin Gerhardt papers, 1961-1984

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

Summary

Extent:
1.8 cu. ft. and 4 boxes
Creator:
E. Alvin Gerhardt
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Papers, 1961-1984, of E. Alvin Gerhardt (1930-2012) of Lynchburg, Virginia, and Piney Flats, Tennessee, consisting of agendas, brochures, clippings, minutes, newsletters, and other papers regarding his work in historical organizations. Majority of collection concerns the celebration of the Bicentennial of American independence in Virginia and across the nation.

Biographical / historical:

Earl Alvin Gerhardt was born 15 October 1930 in Lynchburg, Virginia, to Earl Alvin Gerhardt and Georgia Burton Gerhardt. E. Alvin Gerhardt graduated from Davidson College in 1951, then served in the United States army during the Korean War. Gerhardt returned to Lynchburg after the war to work in his family's business, Lynchburg Hosiery Mills. While in Lynchburg, he served as the volunteer director of the Lynchburg Historical Museum. He was president of the Lynchburg Historical Society in 1970-1971, and was a founding member of the Virginia History Federation (now the Virginia Association of Museums), serving as its president in 1972-1973. After the family business was sold, Gerhardt entered the Cooperstown Graduate Program, State University of New York, and received his master's degree in 1974. That same year, he became the professional director of Rocky Mount, a historic home in Piney Flats, Tennessee. In 1992, he became the Director of Museum Program and Studies at Tusculum College. He retired in 2000. Gerhardt and his wife Salley T. Flournoy Gerhardt had four children. E. Alvin Gerhardt died 5 February 2012.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Jennifer Weiskotten, Virignia Association of Museums, Richmond, Virginia.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into the following series:

  • Series I: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 1970-1981.
  • Series II: American Revolution Bicentennial Commission, 1969-1976.
  • Series III: Lynchburg Bicentennial Commission, 1971-1974.
  • Series IV: Virginia Bicentennial papers, 1971-1977.
  • Series V: Bicentennial publications, 1968-1977.
  • Series VI: Bicentennial general papers, 1971-1976.
  • Series VII: Lynchburg organizations, 1962-1973.
  • Series VIII: Virginia organizations, 1973-1975.
  • Series IX: General papers, 1961-1984.