Collections : [College of William and Mary]

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
Primary Collecting Areas:
Williamsburg and surrounding area Virginia; Southern United States; African American life and culture; Hip Hop History; Movies and film studies; Travel, exploration, and adventure; Veterans papers; Distinguished alumni papers; College of William & Mary; Dogs
Description:
The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) houses one of the largest and most significant collections of rare and unique materials of any educational institution of comparable size in the United States. Focused on Virginia history but with nationally and internationally important collections, the Manuscripts Collection includes letters, diaries, journals, scrapbooks, business records, organizational minutes, and other items that provide evidence of events great and small and the daily lives of Americans of all backgrounds. The Rare Books Collection, with volumes dating from the 15th century to the present, is strong in dogs, Virginia-related items, early Virginia family libraries, gardening and natural history, religion, book arts, printing history, travel, science, and medicine. The University Archives documents the history of William & Mary from 1693 to the present, including a wide range of materials from administrative records, student organization records, and alumni papers to photographs, audio-visual materials, and artifacts.
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Start Over Repository College of William and Mary Subjects Inventions
College of William and Mary

John Oldham Steamship patent, 1817

2 Linear Feet

Patent for the invention of improvements of his former patent (1817 October 18) propelling ships and vessels on seas, rivers and canals. Per wikipedia, "Oldham also paid attention to marine propulsion, and in 1817 he obtained a patent (No. 4169) for propelling ships by means of paddles worked by a steam-engine."

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John Oldham Steamship patent, 1817 2 Linear Feet

Oldham, John, 1779–1840

Patent for the invention of improvements of his former patent (1817 October 18) propelling ships and vessels on seas, rivers and canals. Per wikipedia, "Oldham also paid attention to marine propulsion, and in 1817 he obtained a patent (No. 4169) for propelling ships by means of paddles worked by a steam-engine."

College of William and Mary

Peter Hawker Piano Forte and Other Keyed Instruments Patent, 1820

2 Linear Feet

Patent by George the Fourth for Peter Hawker's piano forte and other keyed instruments invention. Circular wax seal and paper seal attached.

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College of William and Mary

Scientific Inventions and Natural History Oddities Photographs, 1924/1926

0.01 Linear Foot

Six photographs with typed descriptions on the reverse. Photographed by Underwood and Underwood of New York and Washington, D.C. Appear to be part of press releases.

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Finding aids may contain historical terms and phrases, reflecting the shared attitudes and values of the community from which they were collected, but are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical or mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity.

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