Lexington Life Saving and First Aid Crew Collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library
Special Collections and Archives
James G. Leyburn Library
Washington and Lee University
204 W. Washington Street
Lexington, VA 24450
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tom Camden
Phone: (540) 458-8649
Phone: (540) 463-8109
Fax: (540) 463-8964
Restrictions:

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source. Permission for publication of this material, in part or in full, must be secured with the Head of Special Collections.

Preferred citation:

Lexington Life Saving and First Aid Crew Collection, WLU Coll 0794, Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
3.25 Linear Feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Lexington Life Saving and First Aid Crew Collection, WLU Coll 0794, Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

The Lexington Life Saving and First Aid Crew collection includes loose scrapbook pages of correspondence, 1949-1953, newspaper clippings, and photographs, 1935 to 1959. The collection documents a nnumber of tragic drownings of local people during the mid 20th century. Other events documeted are: the fires of Lexington Stuart Building, the Hamric & Sheridan Jewelry store, the W&L chapter of Delta Upsilon fraternity, a Willow Grove home fire, and three Bedford, Virginia stores; a burn victim in Natural Bridge, Va; a Civil Defense drill held in Waynesboro, Virginia in 1958; the Lexington and Maury River Training meeting of 1959; the Lexington, Va. Fire Department's Centennial Celebration on August 24, 1950. Other photographs include, Lewis Watts, Mrs. R. Miller and J. Robinson, Lucy Davis 101, and Mr. Mackey. Newspaper articles cover the Lexington Hose Co. No.2, Rev. Ernest Johnson, Leslie L. Weaver retiring from Lexington Post Office, and B. Lee Kagey. Also included is a booklet entitled, "A Brief History of the Lexington Life Saving and First Aid Crew, Inc., Lexington, Virginia," loose newspaper clippings 1954-1985, a program booklet for the 34th Annual Convention of the Virginia Association of Rescue Squads August 21, 22, and 23, 1969, Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia, American National Red Cross 1967 certification cards for Dewey W. Burks and Wayne Burks, 51st Annual Convention Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc. tickets for Wayne and Anne Burks, September 26, 27, 28, 1985, Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Friday Night Social and Awards Banquet and Installation of Officers tickets, Virginia Beach Pavillion, and group photos.

Biographical / historical:

The First Aid Crew of The Lexington Fire Department began at a February 27, 1935 meeting, with the organization of a First Aid Class. The Lexington First Aid Crew became a part of the Lexington Fire Department on April 6, 1936. The name of the Lexington First Aid Crew became the Lexington Life Saving and First Aid Crew. The Crew celebrated their 10th anniversary in 1945. The Lexington Gazette of March 6, 1935, carried the following artice: "When several Lexington citizens gathered at the Fire House on Wednesday, February 27, and perfected plans for a First Aid Class, they took one of the biggest steps made here for sometime toward insuring public safety." And so began the First Aid Crew of the Lexington Fire Deparment, later to become the Lexington Life Saving and First Aid Crew.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard