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
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

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

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

The Intercollegiate Music Association 1962

Minutes, reports and correspondence of this group which was established in 1962 in order to expand and improve all aspects of music in the schools which belonged to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. ACC # 1982-45
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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

Reformed Zion Union Apostolic Church Papers, 1876-1974

The Reformed Zion Union Apostolic Church papers contain minutes, reports and the church's history projects during almost a hundred year span from the church's organization. Included in these papers is an unfinished history of the church's existence, minutes from a conference dating back to 1876, and minutes from the Sabbath schools that were formed.
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Virginia State University

The Alice and Henry Colson Jackson Papers, 1835-1972

Correspondence, photographs, and memoralbilia, most of which is directly related to the business activities of the colson family during the antebellum. Included is a 1835 letter from Joseph Jenkins Roberts wgo later became the first President of Liberia. Acc.#1977-13a
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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

Virginia Intercollegiate Association papers 1954-1969

The records of the Association that governed all non-academic activities of the black high schools in Virginia. This manuscript group has correspondence, photographs, minutes, reports, films,tapes,news clippings and artifacts. The VIA was headquartered at Virginia State University from 1954-1969. Acc #1969-37
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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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