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The Historical Photograph Collection is largely comprised of materials created by or for the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. Some of the earliest photographs of the estate were created and sold to visitors by the Association as a means of income. Those efforts helped to establish an important collection of 19th century views. The collection spans the 1850s to 2000s and includes over 140 linear feet of analog material providing a visual history of the Mansion, outbuildings, tombs, grounds, events, visitors, collection objects, personnel, and changes throughout the estate.

The Higginbottom Papers, 1844-1971, consist of ca. 13,650 items (ca. 13 shelf feet) relating to activities of the Higginbottom family. The collection contains family correspondence and papers pertaining to missionary activities, the Presbyterian Church, and miscellaneous activities of the Higginbottoms. There are some manuscript drafts, proofs, etc., of various published works and reports by Ethel and Sam Higginbottom.

The Board of Trustees records contain minutes, agendas, correspondence, reports, subject files, committee files, recommendations, resolutions, and the oath book.

Papers, 1740-1978, of T. Turner Foster (1900-1978) of The Plains, Fauquier County, Virginia. Includes correspondence, financial records, subject files, records of his service on the Scott County Road Board, and materials relating to his establishment of a branch of the Millard Institute of Normal Speech in Warrenton. The bulk of the collection covers the years 1920 to 1972.

The Legislative Petitions of the General Assembly are housed in 370 boxes and are arranged in five series. Series have been designated for Counties, Cities, Kentucky Counties, Miscellaneous (Chronological), and Miscellaneous (Alphabetical). The Counties & Cities are arranged in alphabetical order by locality, then chronological. The Kentucky petitions are arranged in chronological order. There are two series for miscellaneous petitions, one arranged in chronological order - Miscellaneous (Chronological), and one arranged in alphabetical order - Miscellaneous (Alphabetical). Petitions to the General Assembly were the primary catalyst for legislation in the Commonwealth from 1776 until 1865. Public improvements, military claims, divorce, manumission of slaves, division of counties, incorporation of towns, religious freedom, and taxation were just some of the concerns expressed in these petitions. The petitions often contain hundreds of signatures and are a useful tool in genealogical research. Frequently, the petitions contain supplementary support documents useful in research including maps, wills, naturalizations, deeds, resolutions, affidavits, judgments, and other items.

The Burton/Neighbors Addendums Collection is comprised of materials related to families, landowners, and soldiers from the Botetourt County area. The collection includes a spiral bound notebook, 1 journal publication, loose leaf documents and newspaper clippings, 3 bound folders, and 11 loose folders. The information is both in print and handwritten.

Genealogical research files, ca. 1980-2007, of B. DeRoy Beale, including family research files and county research notes. Contains extensive information on the Beale, Blanks, Clements, Ferguson, Owen, Tucker, and related families of Amelia, Charles City, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Pittsylvania and Prince George Counties, Virginia. Also includes correspondence with genealogical researchers relating to The Beale Family of Halifax County, Virginia and Tucker Trails Through Southside Virginia by B. DeRoy Beale. Every effort was made during processing of the collection to maintain the original order of the materials. In some cases information can be found in several different series, therefore cross-checking of all series is suggested.

Governor Lee's Executive papers are organized chronologically with undated items arranged at the end of each year. These papers primarily consist of incoming correspondence during Lee's three one-year terms as governor between 1 December 1791 until 1 December 1794. These records include correspondence written to James Wood who acted as Lieutenant Governor while Lee traveled to Nashville and again when he served as commander of the United States forces during the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794. The correspondence in this collection relates to a variety of topics including appointments for state positions; the Point of Fork Arsenal; defense of the frontier; the Whiskey Rebellion; resignations; arms & ammunition; Indian attacks; French emigrants; the Federal City; the Lunatic Hospital in Williamsburg; state expenses & revenue; quarantine of vessels; foreign affairs; Revolutionary claims; public tobacco; elections; Presidential electors; the Capitol Building; fortification of Alexandria & Norfolk harbors; the militia; and others. In addition to correspondence, there are resolutions from Congress and the Virginia Senate & House of Delegates; muster & pay rolls; accounts; oaths; pardons; receipts; election returns; election certificates; qualifications; lists; depositions; proclamations; petitions; reports; appointments; bonds; commissions; orders; reports; proceedings; applications; and other sundry items. Note that the pardons for 1792 have been separated to the end of the papers for that year.

This collection consists of materials dating from the mid to late 19th century through the 20th century. The bulk of the collection is research materials collected by Couture during the writing of his several books. Boxes 1-8 contain research, draft manuscripts, and the final manuscript of Couture's Powhatan: A Bicentennial History and are organized by chapter. Boxes 9-13 contain research, draft manuscripts, and the final manuscript of The Jarman Legacy and are organized by chapter. Boxes 14 and 15 contain research and drafts of To Preserve and Protect. Box 16 contains drafts of Charlies Letters and are organized by chapter. Boxes 17-19 contain draft manuscripts of Couture's unpublished book The Bolling Diaries and are organized by year. Box 20-28 contain Couture's footnotes and the corresponding research for The Bolling Diaries and are organized numerically. Box 29 contains manuscripts of The Gresham Papers and is organized chronologically. Box 30 contains Couture's unpublished manuscript The History of Longwood and is organized by chapter. Box 31 the two oversize folders contain copies of Couture's published works and various memorabilia he collected.