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 1815

Henry Ruffner papers 0.26 Linear Feet one document case (half-sized), one folder

This collection includes three manuscript novellas written by Henry Ruffner, including a draft of his published work titled "Judith Bensaddi," six sermons written in Ruffner's hand, Washington College student James S. Richeson's handwritten transcript of one of Ruffner's lectures on "Political Economy"(1840), a typescript copy of Ruffner's 1847 pamphlet regarding slavery in Virginia, an 1867 letter relating to Ruffner's estate by his widow, Laura Ruffner, and Ruffner's bound manuscript for the "Early History of Washington College" (circa 1857). This volume includes notes by Ruffner's son, William Henry Ruffner and a letter dated January 20, 1897 written by a Union army veteran to the Washington College library concerning a book he removed from the school's library during General David Hunter's 1864 occupation of Lexington, Virginia.

  1. Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Jacob Fuller scrapbook 1.5 Linear Feet 1 box

Fuller, Jacob

This scrapbook was compiled by Jacob Fuller while serving as Secretary to the Washington and Lee University Board of Trustees. He chose original university records, such as evidence of early fundraising and the university's relationship with the Society of the Cincinnati, and other items he felt belonged together in this scrapbook. Most of the items were removed from the Board of Trustees records by Fuller.

  1. Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

James McDowell papers 0.15 Linear Feet 1 oversize folder

This collection consists of three documents: a land survey dated October 27, 1795 of 624 acres on the Big Calf Pasture River in Rockbridge County, Virginia; a deed of trust between William Moore and Andrew Reid, Jr. in favor of McDowell dated October 8, 1804; and a land deed for 29.5 acres on South River between David, an emancipated man, and McDowell dated December 23, 1816.

  1. Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

James Monroe collection 0.01 Linear Feet 1 folder

This collection includes four documents signed by James Monroe: July 29, 1800 appointment of John Bowyer, Andrew Reid, and John Carthuers as presidential electors representing Rockbridge County, Va., March 16, 1802 proclamation by Monroe while governor authorizing the meeting house outside of Lexington, Va. as the proper place for holding court (2 copies), and a land grant awarded to Aaron Sanford of Illinois dated April 2, 1818,

  1. Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

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