Collections : [Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library]

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
Primary Collecting Areas:
American and Virginia history, regional genealogy, history of propaganda, Southern literature, theater, local and regional portraiture, landscapes and architecture, late 19th-century travel
Description:

The Washington and Lee University Special Collections and Archives Department houses over 1,000 unique manuscript collections including those of the Rockbridge Historical Society, The American Shakespeare Center, and the Mountain Valley Preservation Association. These collections vary greatly in size, format, and scope. Subjects covered within the collections are diverse and include concentrations in American and Virginia history, regional genealogy, history of propaganda, Southern literature, and theater.

It also houses over 10,000 photographs and prints. Beyond our photograph and print collections, which include scrapbooks, images can also be found within the manuscript collections and University Archives described above. Our photographic holdings vary greatly in size and include numerous formats representative of the evolution of the photographic process. Strengths are local and regional portraiture, landscapes and architecture, W&L University history, including athletics, and late 19th-century travel.

POC: Tom Camden
Phone: (540) 458-8649
Phone: (540) 463-8109
Fax: (540) 463-8964
Start Over Repository Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library Date range 1751
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Office of Alumni Engagement records

tbd Linear Feet

This record group contains materials created by Alumni Office during the course of its regular business, such as official publications and records about its management.

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Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Baer Family Papers, 1744/1929

.25 Linear Feet

This collection in comprised principally business and family correspondence and general papers of the Baer family of the Panther Gap vicinity of Rockbridge County, Va. with a concentration of papers relative to the family's land holdings such as maps, indentures, and wills. Other highlights are a group of twenty-one manuscript weaving drafts for making household textiles, a family Bible in German(l744), local militia fines, genealogical materials, some relating to the Decker and Hite (Heyt) families, and two farming account books of Joseph Baer, 1853-1859.

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Baer Family Papers, 1744/1929 .25 Linear Feet

Baer, Joseph

This collection in comprised principally business and family correspondence and general papers of the Baer family of the Panther Gap vicinity of Rockbridge County, Va. with a concentration of papers relative to the family's land holdings such as maps, indentures, and wills. Other highlights are a group of twenty-one manuscript weaving drafts for making household textiles, a family Bible in German(l744), local militia fines, genealogical materials, some relating to the Decker and Hite (Heyt) families, and two farming account books of Joseph Baer, 1853-1859.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Washington and Lee University and Regional Virginia History Research Collection, 1609/2016

12 Linear Feet
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Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Ollinger Crenshaw Papers, 1770/1970

2 Linear Feet
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Box 2, 1749/1954 Box 2, Folder 62-95

Selected notes Gen. Lee's College; Glawgow papers 1870's and 1880's and other manuscript collections; correspondence re Lee Chapel; controversy

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Brady Family Papers, 1750/1980

3 Linear Feet
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Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Christopher A. Dorrance collection, 1750/2000

approx. 15 Linear Feet 6 document cases, multiple framed pieces

The Christopher A. Dorrance collection consists primarily of original autographs of important and/or famous people of the United States of America from its founding to the early 21st century. The subjects of the autographs include presidents and first ladies, government officials, political and military figures, musicians, authors, actresses and actors, athletes, reformers and civil rights era activists, foreign leaders and celebrities, flyers and people associated with aviation and aeronautics, etc. The autographs in this collection are written on various mediums including, framed posters, official documents, photographs, books, cards, letters, and various forms of paper ephemera. The series titles reflect what the donor prescribed to his collection. The one change made at the discretion of the archivist was to change the word "foreign" to "international." The signatures were originally housed in three ring binders. The order established by the donor has been maintained. Several signatures are part of larger manuscript pieces, such as letters or ephemeral items such as programs.

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Christopher A. Dorrance collection, 1750/2000 approx. 15 Linear Feet 6 document cases, multiple framed pieces

The Christopher A. Dorrance collection consists primarily of original autographs of important and/or famous people of the United States of America from its founding to the early 21st century. The subjects of the autographs include presidents and first ladies, government officials, political and military figures, musicians, authors, actresses and actors, athletes, reformers and civil rights era activists, foreign leaders and celebrities, flyers and people associated with aviation and aeronautics, etc. The autographs in this collection are written on various mediums including, framed posters, official documents, photographs, books, cards, letters, and various forms of paper ephemera. The series titles reflect what the donor prescribed to his collection. The one change made at the discretion of the archivist was to change the word "foreign" to "international." The signatures were originally housed in three ring binders. The order established by the donor has been maintained. Several signatures are part of larger manuscript pieces, such as letters or ephemeral items such as programs.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Ruby Leighton Family History Collection, 1908/2010

15 Linear Feet
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Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Legal Documents, 1742/1895

39 Files

This collection consists of a variety of legal documents related to citizens of Rockbrige County. Includes indentures, bonds, materials related to wills, legal agreements, and insurance policies amongst other documents.

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General, 1742/1880 RHS Collection #0077, Folder 1

This file contains a notebook with information about the Memoranda detailing the title to the Douthat Society, also includes noterized receipt for real estate sale from John and Margaret Delaaney. Also contains document noting the sale of 100 acres in Rockbridge County to the Walker family.

Legal Documents, 1742/1895 39 Files

This collection consists of a variety of legal documents related to citizens of Rockbrige County. Includes indentures, bonds, materials related to wills, legal agreements, and insurance policies amongst other documents.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Land Grants, 1749/1985

14 folders in RHS-Coll-0067 Files

This collection includes copies and originals of 18th and 19th century land grants for acreage in Rockbridge County, Augusta County, Bath County, and other areas in southwestern Virginia. Three folders relate to the Borden land grant, which established Rockbridge County. There is a fragment of an undated, handwritten copy of the Borden land grant. Other folders related to the Borden grant include historical analysis and recounting of the development of the grant by E.P. Tompkins. Some land grants pre-date the Borden grant. Folders with the parenthetical note of "Copy" only include photocopies of the original land grants. The Trimble land grants can be found in oversized drawer 33.

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Land Grants, 1749/1985 14 folders in RHS-Coll-0067 Files

This collection includes copies and originals of 18th and 19th century land grants for acreage in Rockbridge County, Augusta County, Bath County, and other areas in southwestern Virginia. Three folders relate to the Borden land grant, which established Rockbridge County. There is a fragment of an undated, handwritten copy of the Borden land grant. Other folders related to the Borden grant include historical analysis and recounting of the development of the grant by E.P. Tompkins. Some land grants pre-date the Borden grant. Folders with the parenthetical note of "Copy" only include photocopies of the original land grants. The Trimble land grants can be found in oversized drawer 33.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Zechariah Johnston papers, 1747/1893

2.5 Linear Feet 2 document cases, 1 oversize folder

The Zechariah Johnston papers includes personal, business, political correspondence to and from Zechariah Johnston. Correspondents include family members and notable Virginians of his era. The collection also includes correspondence received by Thomas and James Johnston. In addition to correspondence, the collection includes resolutions, bills, petitions, and notices of or concerning the Virginia Assembly during Johnston's tenure as a delegate from Augusta County (1778-1792) and Rockbridge County (1797-1798). This includes Johnston's copy of an unsigned manuscript draft titled "Memorial and Remonstrance" by James Madison concerning religious freedom and his arguments for separation of church and state. There are also deeds and property descriptions, tax rolls, business and account records, including documents pertaining to enslaved persons owned by Johnston; business and accounting records (1796-1845) of Thomas Johnston, a son of Zechariah Johnston, two letters from William Graham, first rector of Liberty Hall Academy, to Zechariah Johnston, and the will and estate inventory of Ann Johnston. Other highlights include student notes or lectures from Liberty Hall Academy, a poem to reverends William Graham and Samuel Houston, and a petition from Augusta County residents to the Virginia Assembly regarding fishing rights in the South River. There are ephmeral items as well.

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