Hampden-Sydney College Union Literary Society Correspondence

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Hampden-Sydney College Union Literary Society Correspondence, Ms1993-001, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Abstract:
Correspondence of Hampden-Sydney College literary society, relating to routine business of the society, including membership and lecture invitations, regalia, and furnishings.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Hampden-Sydney College Union Literary Society Correspondence, Ms1993-001, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains 16 pieces of incoming correspondence of Hampden-Sydney College's Union Literary Society. The correspondence relates to the society's routine business and includes responses to invitations to join the membership or to lecture before the society. Also included are letters from various vendors relating to purchases of regalia or furnishings for the society. Within the correspondence of potential members and lecturers are letters from John S. Caskie, Thomas Saunders Gholson, James E. Heath, Elias Lyman Magoon, Chesley Martin, Henry W. Miller, Joseph Nimmo, and Harry Robertson. Vendors represented in the collection are H. K. Ellyson, Jos. M. Freeman, Samuel W. Harwood, John W. Hines, Joseph Perkins, R. C. Richardson (for Jaquelin P. Taylor), ad Francis B. Watkins.

Biographical / historical:

The Union Literary Society was founded at Hampden-Sydney College (Hampden Sydney, Virginia) in 1789, to provide the college's students a forum for improving their rhetoric through writing, speaking, and debating. The society had its own hall and library on campus and fulfilled its mission by staging formal debates among its members and engaging in formal debates with competing lierary societies, largely focusing on political issues of the day. In 1929, the Union Literary Society merged with its on-campus rival, the Philanthropic Literary Society, to form the Union-Philanthropic Society. The society remains active today (2023).

Acquisition information:
The Hampden-Sydney College Union Literary Society Correspondence was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1993.
Processing information:

The processing and description of the Hampden-Sydney College Union Literary Society Correspondence commenced and was completed in October, 2023.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard