Collections : [Virginia State University]

Virginia State University

Johnston Memorial Library
Virginia State University
P.O. Box 9406
1 Hayden Drive
Petersburg, Virginia 23806
Primary Collecting Areas:
African American History in Virginia and African American Education
Description:
The Virginia State University (VSU) Special Collections and Archives holds information on African American history in Virginia on the subject(s) of the Arts and women’s organizations, literature, agriculture as well as the premier primary sources that chronicle African American education in Virginia from the founding of the University 1882, to the 1960s. Worth mentioning are the Virginia Teachers Association Papers, an organization of African American teachers established in 1887 in Lynchburg VA and managed on the campus of VSU; the Virginia Interscholastic Association Papers, 1954-1969, an association of African American high school records of more than 100 schools representing a student population of over forty thousand; the Prince Edward Free School Papers chronicles the period in Prince Edward County when the public school system was closed and efforts of the Black community to educate African American students through that period; the Archie Richardson Papers which contains photographs of African American rural school houses during the 1930s.
POC: Juan-Pablo Gonzalez
Phone: (804) 524-6945
Phone: (804) 524-5582
Fax: (804) 524-6959
Start Over Repository Virginia State University Level Subseries
Virginia State University

Major William Henry Johnson Papers 1884-1935

The William Henry Johnson papers include correspondence, speeches, photographs and other documents. They reflect William Henry Johnson's life as an educator, soldier and community leader.
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Virginia State University

Luther Porter Jackson Papers, 1772-1960

The Luther Porter Jackson papers include documents collected by Jackson to support his research as well as the correspondence produced by Dr. and Mrs. Jackson in connection with their work, interest, and friends. They reflect Luther Jackson's life as a professor and researcher of history and his connections with various political and educational organizations; the official records of the Virginia Voters League and the official records of all fund raising for the Virginia Branch of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History Inc.
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Virginia State University

1963-1967

Between the years 1959 and 1963, there were no public schools in Prince Edward County, Virginia. After five long years the County and State allowed Prince Edwards schools to reopen. Because the black children of the county had no school during this period of time (the white students attended an all white academy) it was thought best to organize a free school which would pave the way for hundreds of young children to return to school after a five year absence. The Prince Edward County, Virginia (free school) papers are the records of that effort. The papers contain correspondence, reports, photographs and other items, which document this sad period in Virginia History.
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Virginia State University

Amaza Lee Meredith Papers, 1912, 1930-1938

The Amaza Lee Meredith papers contain personal and business documents generated by Ms. Meredith which reflect the activities of her lifetime. Included are materials related to her career at Virginia State University, her participation in the V.S.U. Alumni Association the official records of the Azurest North Syndicate, and personal correspondence with several prominent blueprints, line drawings, and sketches of Ms. Meredith's designs which demonstrates her pursuits in architecture.
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Virginia State University

A Guide To the Papers of Harry Walter Roberts

Harry W. Roberts was a professor of sociology at Virginia State University from 1935 until 1968. While at Virginia State Roberts was an authority on African American life and culture in rural Virginia. His papers consist of correspondence, writings, and a few photographs. Acc. #1984-39
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Virginia State University

A Guide to the Papers of Archie G. Richardson 1918-1976

In 1936, Archie Richardson became the highest-ranking African American in the State Government. In that year, he was appointed assistant to the Assistant for Negro education in Virginia. In 1969, he retired as Associate Director of the Division of Secondary Education in Virginia. His papers consist of correspondence, speeches, writings and more than one thousand photographs of Rosenwald, Slater, and other schools constructed in Virginia for African Americans in the 1930's and before. Acc. #1997-77 Arranged By: Lucious Edwards
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Virginia State University

Anna Laura Lindsay Papers, 1898-1937

Some personal and business correspondence of the founder of the Department of Music at Virginia State University. There are also a large number of photographs.
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Virginia State University

A Guide to the Papers of The Colson-Hill Family 1833-1984

The Colson Hill Family Papers document one of the most unique African-American families in the United States. This manuscript group covers this family's life and activities in the Commonwealth of Virginia from 1834-1984. These papers document the family's involvement with: The establishment of Liberia, the Underground Railroad, the establishment of Virginia State University, public education in Petersburg and in Virginia, the readjuster party, business in Petersburg and the social and community activities in the African American community as well. Not only did Miss Colson become keeper of the family papers, her long an outstanding career led to the creation of a large number of records documenting her productive life as well. Miss Colson was a teacher and a teacher of teachers. She was a student and believer in the idea that education could solve societies social, political, and economic ills. The papers provide a window into several aspects of African American society rarely scene. The bulk of the materials is in the form on correspondence, however, there are numerous printed items and photographs as well. The papers are quite useful for the study of: History of Education, Women's History, Local History, Family History, and Social and Economic History.

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Autographs, Books, Notebooks, Travel log Folio 61a

Notebooks kept by James Major Colson and Kate Hill as students. Mr.Colson's notebook covers a variety of subjects taken taken at Dartmouth. Included is a notebook maintained for his class in Physics (1881-1882) other subjects include language, natural history, physiology, and literature. Mrs. Colson notebook covers a number of subjects, which would have been included in the study for a teaching certificate at this time.

  1. Literary,Diaries, Autograph Books, notebooks, speeches and writings
Virginia State University

Robert Printiss Daniel 1920-1966

Personal and business correspondence of the fifth President of Virginia State University. Robert P. Daniel was one of the movers in establishing what is now Norfolk State University. He was also very involved in efforts to integrate the institutions of higher learning in Virginia. Acc.#1976-16
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Virginia State University

James Hugo Johnston, Jr. Papers 1891-1974

Business and personal correspondence of the son of the president of Virginia State University. James Hugo Johnston Jr., served as professor of history, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Vice President of Virginia State University. He authored many articles on history and authored Race Relations in Virginia and Miscegenation in the South.
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