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 1849
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Dillon Family Papers

3 Linear Feet

This collection contains the family and personal correspondence (1806-1897), business correspondence, deeds, legal papers, account books (1849-1862) of Dr. Alexander S. Dillon (1813-1870), and family Bible along with ledgers and employee time books of various Dillon limestone companies, especially Edward Dillon and Co. in Botetourt County. Correspondents include Dr. Alexander S. Dillon (1813-1870), Edward Dillon (1835-1897), Edward Davis Dillon (1766-1818), Fanny Polk Dillon, and Patrick Henry Dillon (1804-1862).

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Dillon Family Papers 3 Linear Feet

Dillon, Alexander S.

This collection contains the family and personal correspondence (1806-1897), business correspondence, deeds, legal papers, account books (1849-1862) of Dr. Alexander S. Dillon (1813-1870), and family Bible along with ledgers and employee time books of various Dillon limestone companies, especially Edward Dillon and Co. in Botetourt County. Correspondents include Dr. Alexander S. Dillon (1813-1870), Edward Dillon (1835-1897), Edward Davis Dillon (1766-1818), Fanny Polk Dillon, and Patrick Henry Dillon (1804-1862).

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Administration records collection

6.73 Linear Feet 14 boxes, 3 oversize folders

This collection includes early Washington and Lee University papers and miscellaneous materials supplementary to the university's trustee's records, faculty meeting minutes, and treaurer's records. Much of this collection was found over decades from various locations on campus and housed in the Treasurer's Office.

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Administration records collection 6.73 Linear Feet 14 boxes, 3 oversize folders

Washington College (Lexington, Va.)

This collection includes early Washington and Lee University papers and miscellaneous materials supplementary to the university's trustee's records, faculty meeting minutes, and treaurer's records. Much of this collection was found over decades from various locations on campus and housed in the Treasurer's Office.

Broadsides Box University Archives Oversize Box 2, Oversize Folder 11

includes "Standing Rules Adopted by the Trustees of Washington College" (1840 September 19)

  1. Printed Material Series
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Martha Spencer research collection

2 Linear Feet
3 results
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Alexander, Fultz, and Willson Families Collection

1 Linear Feet
1 result
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Alexander Lockhart Nelson papers

0.5 Linear Feet

The Alexander Lockhart Nelson Papers consist of materials related to Nelson's life as mathematician at Washington and Lee University; Nelson, Guy, Matthews, Archer, and Rennick family genealogy; an address by Nelson on his teaching experience during Robert E. Lee's presidency of Washington College; some family and miscellaneous correspondences; and photographs. Included and, perhaps, the primary aspect of the collection is Nelson's notebook used during his time as both student and professor of mathematics during the mid through late 19th century. The notebook also contains a range of content unrelated to his career as mathematician such as an extensive family tree, a journal/day book which includes details about weather from December 1880 through March 1881 in Lexington, Va.; a pencil drawing of his property and its improvements in downtown Lexington; and notes about payments made to a hired laborer for his Lexington home and grounds. There is an albumen photograph of a group of young girls of the Ann Smith Academy in Lexington – including an image of Nelson's daughter Evelyn. The collection is in two series – each formerly a unique accession from unique sources and different dates. The collections have recently been combined. Each series includes a control folder explaining its provenance. Series two includes a letter from WLU student Jack C. Desha in 1871 to his father Lucius Desha of Kentucky. In the letter Jack shares his travel experiences from Cincinnatti, Ohio to Lexington, Va., including an overnight visit in Washington DC. Series two also includes student Randolph Preston's (WLU class of 1902)typescript reminiscence of his Washington and Lee University student experience fifty years earlier.

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Alexander Lockhart Nelson papers 0.5 Linear Feet

Nelson, Alexander Lockhart, 1827-1910

The Alexander Lockhart Nelson Papers consist of materials related to Nelson's life as mathematician at Washington and Lee University; Nelson, Guy, Matthews, Archer, and Rennick family genealogy; an address by Nelson on his teaching experience during Robert E. Lee's presidency of Washington College; some family and miscellaneous correspondences; and photographs. Included and, perhaps, the primary aspect of the collection is Nelson's notebook used during his time as both student and professor of mathematics during the mid through late 19th century. The notebook also contains a range of content unrelated to his career as mathematician such as an extensive family tree, a journal/day book which includes details about weather from December 1880 through March 1881 in Lexington, Va.; a pencil drawing of his property and its improvements in downtown Lexington; and notes about payments made to a hired laborer for his Lexington home and grounds. There is an albumen photograph of a group of young girls of the Ann Smith Academy in Lexington – including an image of Nelson's daughter Evelyn. The collection is in two series – each formerly a unique accession from unique sources and different dates. The collections have recently been combined. Each series includes a control folder explaining its provenance. Series two includes a letter from WLU student Jack C. Desha in 1871 to his father Lucius Desha of Kentucky. In the letter Jack shares his travel experiences from Cincinnatti, Ohio to Lexington, Va., including an overnight visit in Washington DC. Series two also includes student Randolph Preston's (WLU class of 1902)typescript reminiscence of his Washington and Lee University student experience fifty years earlier.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

duPont family papers

33 Linear Feet
2 results

Nemours Papers 15 Linear Feet

The Nemours Papers are part of the Du Pont Family Collection and consist of 15 linear feet of records dating from 1831 to 1947. The bulk of the material dates from 1915 to 1935 and reflects the business, financial, and family affairs of Alfred I. duPont (1864-1935). In addition, the Papers include some of the records of Alfred's second wife, Alicia Bradford Maddox duPont (1875-1920), and his third wife, Jessie Ball duPont (1884-1970).

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Alfred Leyburn Papers

.2 Linear Feet

Contains c.55 items, of Dr. Alfred Leyburn and the Leyburn family of Lexington, Va., including 22 letters between Leyburn and his wife, Ann Eliza, 1835-36; patents of Edward J. Leyburn.

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Alfred Leyburn Papers .2 Linear Feet

Leyburn, Alfred

Contains c.55 items, of Dr. Alfred Leyburn and the Leyburn family of Lexington, Va., including 22 letters between Leyburn and his wife, Ann Eliza, 1835-36; patents of Edward J. Leyburn.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Alphonso Smith Lectures on General Chemistry notebook

0.01 Linear Feet 1 folder

This collection contains a notebook kept Alphonso Smith in September 1849 while a student at Washington College. The notebook contains Smith's recording of Professor George D. Armstrong's "Lectures on General Chemistry." The notebook includes 59 lectures on 86 pages, as well as folk art sketches on the front and rear endpages and pastedowns. Smith also inscribed "Dr. Samuel U. Holt alias 'Lazybones.'"

2 results

Alphonso Smith Lectures on General Chemistry notebook 0.01 Linear Feet 1 folder

Smith, Alphonso

This collection contains a notebook kept Alphonso Smith in September 1849 while a student at Washington College. The notebook contains Smith's recording of Professor George D. Armstrong's "Lectures on General Chemistry." The notebook includes 59 lectures on 86 pages, as well as folk art sketches on the front and rear endpages and pastedowns. Smith also inscribed "Dr. Samuel U. Holt alias 'Lazybones.'"

Notebook Box University Archives Small Collections 1, Folder 20

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.

1 result
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Ruby Leighton Family History Collection

15 Linear Feet
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