Collections : [Virginia Union University]

This collection contains biographical ocuments, correspondence, news clippings, photos, real estate documents and miscellaneous items.

Most of the school's early records have not survived. This is most likely a result of storage problems such as fires and floods on campus. Others were possibly removed by departing administrators and faculty who viewed them as personal documents. The records described here constitute the extant records of the school from its founding in 1867 until its merger in 1899.

These records reflect the activities and events of Community Learning Week (CLW) at Virginia Union University and in the Richmond community. CLW was organized in 1979 by the Richmond Committee of Black Clergy and the Office of Student Development at Virginia Union University. Rev. T.C. Milner headed the clergy group and Dr. Grace Pleasants directed the Virginia Union University office. The intent was to bring together the community to honor the memory and mission of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pleasants served as program coordinator with Milner assisting until 1983 when Milner became program director. The week-long celebration includes a Community Leaders Breakfast and educational and cultural events throughout the city.

The Delver Woman's Club Collection documents the activities of the organization which consists of consists of Christian women who are registered voters and dedicated to providing civic and social interventions in the Richmond community. It has seven interest groups which include Art, Drama, Economic, International Relations, Music, Youth Conservation, and Social and Civic Affairs. Materials in this collection comprise meeting agendas, Anniversary year books, Annual Luncheon and Dinner meeting, Annual prayer breakfast, Biographies and obituaries, Committees, Constitution and bylaws, Correspondence, Directories. Financial records, Foundation, History, Interest group programs, Meeting and program schedules, Membership rolls, Minutes, Miss Future Delver, News clippings, Newsletters, Photographs, Vesper Service, Awards, certificates, plaques, programs, Trophy plate, NAACP Corp member, Four small containers of slides, 50th anniversary scrapbook, Art Interest Group minutes, Art Interest Group minutes and Art Interest Group – miscellaneous.

These records reflect the administration of the university as well as the president's outreach activities such as alumni relations and speaking engagements.

This collection contains the administrative and personal records of John Malcus Ellison as president of Virginia Union University (1941-1955), chancellor (1955-79), minister, teacher, author and editor. The bulk of the collection is from the early years of his presidency, 1941-1945, with very few materials from the later years or during his tenure as chancellor. Although most of the collection is correspondence conducted in his official capacity as president, because these materials were received from his family, the Ellison Papers are organized as a manuscript collection.

These records reflect the growth and development of the Library at Virginia Union University. The bulk of the collection is the annual reports for which there is a virtually complete run from 1927 through 1992, including semi-annual reports and quarterly reports. The Administrative file contains papers created in the day-to-day business such as limited correspondence, floor plans and library objectives and statistics. The Events file contains announcements for library sponsored events such as guest speakers. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is an accreditation committee on which Mrs. Bradley served.

These records reflect the performances and activities of the Music Department at Virginia Union University. The bulk of the collection is performance programs for the various performance groups, especially the University Choir and the Concert Choir, and departmental correspondence. The correspondence is almost entirely that of Dr. Hobbs. The Administrative file contains the 1979-1980 Year End Report, a few department faculty meeting minutes, press releases and course outlines. The Miscellaneous file includes programs for opera and alumni concerts.

These records reflect the performances and activities of the Speech and Drama Department at Virginia Union University. The bulk of the collection is performance programs and photographs of the University Players. The Administrative file contains very limited correspondence (mostly congratulatory letters) and press releases.

This collection consists primarily of Sen. Lambert's Correspondence from constituents and lobby groups during the years 1991-2000. Included with much of the correspondence are fact sheets and reports compiled specifically for consideration by the legislators during the legislative sessions. It provides a window on the issues of the times. In some cases, this correspondence portrays the tragic stories of those "less fortunate" as they provide hearbreaking detail of tragedy and misfortune which the writers hope the passage or voting down of a new piece of legislation will correct.