George Washington Papers [in part: photostats, printed copies, typescripts]

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Terms of access:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

For preservation reasons, researchers are asked to use a digial surogate or published version of the original items, if available.

Preferred citation:

George Washington Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Summary

Extent:
3.00 Linear Feet
Creator:
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

George Washington Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Background

Scope and content:

Photostats, typescripts, original and printed copies of letters and papers of and about George Washington, Martha Washington and Mary Ball Washington; manuscript of "The Washingtons of Sulgrave" by S. H. Lee Washington; portrait engravings and prints of George Washington and places and events associated with him, including an original pen and ink sketch [ca. 1790] by Benjamin H. Latrobe; a piece of sheet music written in honor of George Washington by George M. Cohan; and various maps.

Original Washington letters in the collection include: Letter, 1796 June 26, George Washington to his nephew Robert Lewis concerning his retirement from public life; and letter, Letter, 1799 March 18, of George Washington to James McAlpine concerning the making of a suit; Letter, 1783 November 15, George Washington to Governor George Clinton (Acc. 1997.073).

Please note that, whenever available, patrons are required to use a digital surrogate, facsimile, or printed version instead of the original document.

Biographical / historical:

George Washington (February 22, 1732 - December 14, 1799) led America's Continental Army to victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), and in 1789 was elected the first President of the United States of America. He served two four-year terms from 1789 to 1797. Washington served as the first American Chancellor of the College of William and Mary from 1788 to 1799.

Acquisition information:
The materials that comprise this collection were donated and purchased by W Special Collections from numerous individuals between 1928 and 1997.
Processing information:

Box and folder list inventory completed by Zach Woodward, SCRC staff, in March 2011.