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 Level Collection

Wilson, Whitmore, and Firebaugh Letters 1 Files

Wilson, William

The collection consists of three letters dating to the American Civil War era. The first two were written by Captain Jacob J. Whitmore to William A. Wilson on matters of business. In them, Whitmore discusses the effect of the war on his ability to conduct business and the movement of his regiment from Alleghany mountain. The third letter is unrelated and written by an unknown author to her friend Lizzie Firebaugh. This letter discusses family matters and the status of several male relatives or friends in regards to the war.

  1. Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Winborne Family Papers 1 Linear Feet

Winborne, Roger M., Jr.

Family papers include Winborne Jr.'s school papers and notebooks from his years at Washington and Lee University, as well as information about his fraternity, Delta Tau Delta. Three folders contain printed matter about his father, Roger M. Winborne, a Class of 1911 graduate of Washington and Lee University Law School.

  1. Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Withrow Family Papers 70 Item

Withrow, Margaret

Contains genealogies of Lucy Johnson Withrow; correspondence of Louie Moran to Margaret Withrow, 1919; licences and receipts for John Withrow's general store, 1882-1920; also includes 3 ALS of M. H. Johnson to Fanny Withrow concerning Burnside's bombardment of Fredericksburg and maneuvers in the Valley of Virginia, 1862 November 16-30.

  1. Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

WLUR Recordings and Broadcasts 10 Linear Feet Official recordings from the radio station on reel-to-reel tapes and CDs. 528 Reels

WLUR (Radio Station : Lexington, Va.)

Records of the Washington and Lee University radio station, WLUR 91.5, from its creation in 1967-68 to present. This record group is composed primarily of recordings from the radio station. Included among the tapes are earlier recordings from the Washington and Lee Journalism Dept. predating the founding of the radio station. The station was originally created as an arm of the Journalism Dept. It is now a branch of the Communications and Public Affairs Office.

  1. Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

W. McLaughlin Washington College diploma 0.15 Linear Feet 1 oversize folder

This collection contains the B.A. diploma awarded to W. (William T.) McLaughlin by Washington College, now Washington and Lee University, on June 19, 1850. The ribbon and seal are still attached. Editions of the Alumni Directory have his graduation year as 1851.

  1. Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

W. P. Nye correspondence 10 Item

Nye, William P.

The collection contains eight letters from J. Ogden Murray to W.P. Nye (all dated 1914) about health, trips to Washington, D.C., politics, and finances. It also contains a letter to W.M. Brown from Mrs. J.E. Bond (1927) thanking him for the check he sent and providing additional history of Dr. Nye's collection and a book containing a record of relics.

  1. Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Content Warning

ARVAS is an aggregator of archival resources. ARVAS does not have control of the descriptive language used in our members’ finding aids.

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.

Many institutions and organizations are in the process of reviewing and revising their descriptive language, with the intent to describe materials in more humanizing, inclusive, and harm-reductive ways. As members revise their descriptive language, their changes will eventually be reflected in their ARVAS finding aids.