Dorothy McCombs Collection,

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:

Collection is open for 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], Dorothy McCombs Collection, Ms1995-006, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
8.6 Cubic Feet 19 boxes
Creator:
McCombs, Dorothy F., 1923-1990
Abstract:
The collection contains personal research notes, subject files, and writings; materials relating to the Virginia Tech University Libraries; course notes; dissertation research; work on textiles and arts & crafts history; genealogy notes; brochures on historic sites around Virginia; and maps collected by Dorothy McCombs. Materials date from about 1970-1989.
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], Dorothy McCombs Collection, Ms1995-006, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains personal research notes, subject files, and writings; materials relating to the Virginia Tech University Libraries; course notes; dissertation research; work on textiles and arts & crafts history; genealogy notes; brochures on historic sites around Virginia; and maps collected by Dorothy McCombs. Materials date from about 1970-1989.

Although materials cover a wide range of topics and regions, particular emphases include research notes on Appalachian textile production, information on historic Blacksburg and Montgomery County, notes on the Preston family and the Smithfield Plantation, and local/regional genealogy. There are also papers relating to McCombs tenure as a reference librarian at Virginia Tech.

McCombs extensively researched textiles, of which she published "National Context and the Local Experience of Domestic Textile Manufacture in Montgomery County, VA 1776-1830." Several other publications found in this collection include "Local History and Genealogical Research in University Libraries," and her thesis, "Virginia Cloth, Early Textiles in Virginia: Particularly in the Backcountry between the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains until 1830". There is also a copy of her unpublished manuscript, "Virginia Cloth: Early Textiles in Montgomery County, 1776-1830" in the collection as well.

Biographical / historical:

Dorothy McCombs graduated from VPI in 1976. She went on to work in the libraries as a reference librarian and Appalachian history bibliographer until 1990. Over the course of her career, she researched genealogy, local history/Appalachian history, textiles, and more.

Acquisition information:
The Dorothy McCombs Collection was donated to Special Collections prior to 1995.
Processing information:

Some initial description was completed in 1995. The majority of the processing, arrangement, and description of the Dorothy McCombs Collection was completed in October and November 2014.

Arrangement:

The Dorothy McCombs Collection is organized into nine series by material type. Series include: Brochures; Maps; Subject Files; Publications (in two suberies--Publications by McCombs and Publications by Others); Notes; Census Records; Textiles/Arts & Crafts; Library Materials; and Professional and Personal Papers.

Within each series, materials are arranged alphabetically by folder title. Whenever possible, original folder titles, created by McCombs, were retained. Unfoldered materials were described by Special Collections staff.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard