Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Dorothy H. Bodell Papers
Bodell, Dorothy H., 1931-2008
Ms.1988.042
0.8 Cubic Feet
2 boxes
1850-1996
The Dorothy H. Bodell Papers consists primarily of newspaper clippings, correspondence, research notes, photocopies of historical documents, and files Bodell compiled while writing her book, Montgomery White Sulphur Springs: A History of the Resort, Hospital, Cemeteries, Markers, and Monuments. The collection also includes an audiotape (1992) of an interview of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Cox about Montgomery White Sulphur Springs, photographs of the cemetery where the Confederate dead were buried, and information about Bodell's 40th reunion of the class of 1948 from Blacksburg High School. Bodell (1931-2008) graduated from Virginia Tech and worked for Virginia Tech University Libraries.
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Dorothy H. Bodell Papers, 1850-1996, Ms88-042, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The materials about Dorothy H. Bodell's 40th high school reunion were originally donated in 1988. Additions of materials concerning her research about Montgomery White Sulphur Springs were donated in 1994 and 1996.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Dorothy H. Bodell Papers commenced in February 1998 and was completed in June 1998.
Biographical Note
Dorothy Heavener Bodell (1931-2008) was the author of
Montgomery White Sulphur Springs: A History of the Resort, Hospital, Cemeteries, Markers, and Monuments, published by Pocahontas Press of Blacksburg in 1993. She also graduated from Virginia Tech and worked for Virginia Tech University Libraries.External source: "Dorothy Heavener Bodell," Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26222420/dorothy-heavener-bodell
Administrative History
The Montgomery White Sulphur Springs resort, located in Ellett Valley (near Blacksburg), Virginia, was incorporated by a group of local businessmen in 1855. Benefiting from the popular belief in the restorative powers of mineral waters, the Montgomery White catered to a new leisure class seeking healthy and entertaining distractions. In doing so, the resort joined such other nearby establishments as the Greenbrier White, Old Sweet, and Yellow Sulphur springs. The Montgomery White, encompassing several acres of land, boasted a three-story hotel with more than 200 rooms and more than 30 cottages on the grounds.
During the American Civil War, in 1862, the resort was designated a Confederate general hospital, charged with caring for sick and wounded soldiers. By the end of the summer, the hospital was at capacity, with more than 400 patients. While there is no complete list of those who died in the hospital, the nearby cemetery is said to hold 265 graves.
Following the war and much renovation, the Montgomery White again opened to the public and became a popular summertime destination. In 1872, the resort hosted the first board meeting of the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, and in 1874, Jefferson Davis visited for the Southern Historical Society's organizational meeting.
By 1886, George W. Fagg & Company operated the resort, which continued to be a successful enterprise for some years. By the 1890s, however, the Montgomery White and other such resorts were slowly declining in popularity. The economic panic of 1893, together with undocumented instances of fire and flood, may have accelerated the resort's downfall. The Montgomery White property was sold by auction and the remaining structures dismantled in 1904.
Source: Bodell, Dorothy.
Montgomery White Sulphur Springs: a History of the Resort, Hospital, Cemeteries, Markers, and Monument. Blacksburg, Va.: Pocahontas Press, 1993.
Scope and Content
The Dorothy H. Bodell Papers consists primarily of newspaper clippings, correspondence, research notes, photocopies of historical documents, and files Bodell compiled while writing her book,
Montgomery White Sulphur Springs: A History of the Resort, Hospital, Cemeteries, Markers, and Monuments. The collection also includes an audiotape (1992) of an interview of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Cox about Montgomery White Sulphur Springs, photographs of the cemetery where the Confederate dead were buried, and information about Bodell's 40th reunion of the class of 1948 from Blacksburg High School.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged chronologically, with undated materials at the end.
Related Archival Materials
See the Montgomery White Sulphur Springs Guest Book, Ms2003-007, also at Virginia Tech Special Collections and University Archives.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Dorothy H. Bodell Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Blacksburg (Va.)
Civil War
Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
Montgomery White Sulphur Springs (Va.)
Montgomery County (Va.)
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Women -- History
Montgomery White Sulphur Springs (Va.)
Photocopies of research files about Montgomery White Sulphur Springs (MWSS)1850-196011Photocopy of an Act of Assembly incorporating MWSS1855-185612Photocopies of newspapers clippings about MWSS1855-193213Photocopies of articles describing MWSS during the Civil War, 1860s, including a list of Confederate soldier deaths14Photocopies of Sister Mary De Sales Brennan's letters to Bishop Patrick Lynch in Charleston, South Carolina1861-186415Photocopies of research files with information about MWSS during the Civil War1861-186516Miscellaneous research files1866-188617Photocopies of writings about MWSS1870s18Photocopies and research files1886-188919Photocopies and research files1890-1904110Photocopies and research files1904-1992111Photocopy of "Bishop England's Sisterhood, 1881-1929," written by Sister M. Anne Francis Campbell, with other research files1968112Information about the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy1981-1992113Blacksburg [Virginia] High School class of 1948 reunion information, with a paper prepared by Bodell about how life in Blacksburg has changed in 40 years.1988114Information about the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy1992115Audiotape of an interview with Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Cox about MWSS1992116Photocopies and research files1992-1993117Photographs of MWSS Cemetery1993-199421Typewritten and revised draft of Montgomery White Sulphur Springs: A History of the Resort, Hospital, Cemeteries, Markers, and Monumentsca. 199322Published copies of Montgomery White Sulphur Springs: A History of the Resort, Hospital, Cemeteries, Markers, and Monuments, published by Pocahontas Press of Blacksburg199323Information about Bodell's search for a Civil War era painting of MWSS1993-199424Photocopies and research files1993-199525Information about "A Memorial Service for the Confederate Soldiers Buried at the Montgomery White Sulphur Springs"May 22, 199426Newspaper clippings about MWSS, the SMART Road, and Bodell199427Letters to Bodell about MWSS and her book1994-199628Manuscript notes taken of passages in History of the Confederated Memorial Associations of the South29Information about Catholic churches210Microfilm reel from the National Archives of hospital rolls information211Photographs of the MWSS212