2.2.2: Subject Files 1936-1988

Scope and content:

The Subject Files are dominated by correspondence and records concerning Bear Island, a plantation in Hanover County, Virginia that had been the childhood home of Powell's mother, Mary Lewis Gwathmey. Powell spent much time there as a child, as did his children, in their turn. Later it served as a family retreat and gathering place. Powell's painful--and later regretted--decision to sell this property is extensively documented here. Also present in this subseries are records of the Powells' 1969 African safari, including Josephine R. Powell's diary of the experience.

Access and use

Location of collection:
Washington and Lee University
School of Law
1004 Sydney Lewis Hall
1 Denny Circle
Lexington, VA 24450-0303
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jennifer V. Mitchell
Phone: (540) 458-8969
Parent restrictions:
By terms of the donor agreement, researches must obtain permission of the archivist before doing research in the case files from the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals portions of the papers. Additionally, portions of the Family Papers series are closed or require special permission for access and use. Specific terms of access are available from the Powell Archives or from its World Wide Web site.

Contents