Contributing Institutions

The Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society studies and preserves the history of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia, and surrounding jurisdictions in Central Virginia. The Society collects and preserves manuscripts, printed materials and other physical objects pertaining to the history of the area.

As one of the core research institutions in Alexandria, the Local History and Special Collections Branch (LHSC) is focused on documenting Alexandria from its colonial era to its modern life as a vibrant community of immigrants and cultural attractions.

The Center for Local History's Community Archives at the Arlington Public Library collects and preserves materials that illustrate the history and culture of Arlington County. The Center's continually expanding collections house diverse and historically valuable materials from Arlington's residents, businesses, institutions, organizations, and local associations.

The Augusta County Historical Society, founded in 1965, is located in Staunton, Virginia, and is a repository, research center, and publisher of greater Augusta County history.

Special Collections documents the history of Bridgewater College and supports the curriculum by providing access to primary, reference, and historical sources. Examples of our specialized collections include:

• Extensive Virginia history and culture reference library
• Regional genealogy references
• Regional Civil War soldiers' letters
• John W. Wayland's papers, maps, and publications
• Historical photographs and records of Bridgewater College
• Regional 19th-20th century diaries and daybooks
• Historic local imprints
• The Reuel B. Pritchett Museum Collection contains some of our most notable artifacts, including:

• Late medieval manuscripts
• Elder John Kline artifacts and manuscripts
• Papers of Brethren Missionaries to India and China and Indian and Chinese antiquities
• Civil War artifacts
• A collection of Bibles from the Christopher Sauer Press
• Incunabula Bible printed in Venice, 1482

The Central Rappahannock Heritage Center, located in historic Fredericksburg, Virginia, is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization whose mission is to preserve historically valuable material from the Fredericksburg region and make it available to the public for research. The Center holds more than 85,000 collection records, including photographs and original documents dating from the early 1700s. We collect and maintain records from the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. In addition, the center has many personal and family letters and documents, local business records, church and civic organization records, school records, documents on slavery, genealogy records, bound newspapers, books, maps, postcards, and photographs, including thousands of scanned images that can be viewed online.

The History Center is a county-owned archive and reference center, named after the late Richard M. Bowman, a civic leader and avid student of history. Our mission is to engage and inspire large and diverse audiences by providing equal access to our historical and genealogical collections for any and all persons interested in Charles City County. The collection includes books, microfilm, newspapers, manuscripts, maps, pictures, oral histories and other items pertaining to Charles City and the surrounding region.

Christiansburg Institute, Inc., is a grassroots African American cultural heritage and historic preservation nonprofit with a mission of community education, intergenerational empowerment, and the equitable stewardship of African American history, stories, and culture.

Christiansburg Institute Museum & Archives (CIMA) holds letters, diaries, photos, and other material (digital or paper) that communicate vital and unique information about CII's and pay witness to the history of black struggle and triumph throughout Emancipation, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and desegregation.

The Special Collections and University Archives at Trible Library house records related to the founding and administration of Christopher Newport University as well as campus life since 1960. Other collections include a group of rare books from local authors and the Josephine L. Hughes Collection comprised of 5,000+ rare pieces of American sheet music.

During Edgar Cayce's lifetime, the records of his psychic readings were his personal property. After his death, they became the property of his sons, Hugh Lynn Cayce and Edgar Evans Cayce, and his secretary, Gladys Davis Turner. They were stored in the Cayce home and office.

Mission: In February 1948, the E.C.F. was chartered by the Commonwealth of Virginia and provides permanent legal and physical custody of historical resources including:

• The original Edgar Cayce readings as well as microfilm and digital copies
• Supplemental material to the readings, such as original stenographer notebooks, appointment books, research
• studies and reports on the readings, reports of preservation activities, photographs, sound and video recordings, etc.
• Correspondence, business papers, and files of Hugh Lynn Cayce, Gladys Davis Turner, and other early staff members
• Cayce Family papers and photographs
• Personal papers of early A.R.E. members
• Author contracts, unpublished manuscripts, and archival copies of most books and other materials published by A.R.E. Press and the Edgar Cayce Foundation
• Official historical and business records for the A.R.E., E.C.F., and Atlantic University.

The mission of the Fairfax Circuit Court Historic Records Center is to preserve and make available to the public the historic records of the Fairfax Circuit Court. Under §42.1-76 of the Code of Virginia (Virginia Public Records Act), public records created earlier than 1913 are considered historic and are to be maintained in perpetuity by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Fairfax Circuit Court Historic Records Center (HRC) holds court records documenting the societal and cultural changes in Fairfax County from its founding in 1742, through the colonial era, Civil War and Reconstruction, to the early 1900s.

The Virginia Room of Fairfax County Public Library houses a special collection of history and genealogy resources. Staff collect the historical record of the people, associations, events, and places of Fairfax County, Virginia.

The Clerk of the Circuit Court is one of five constitutional officers elected by the citizens of Fredericksburg. In Virginia, the office dates from 1619. The Code of Virginia provides for over 800 responsibilities for the Clerk of the Circuit Court, but his or her chief responsibilities include serving as recorder of deeds, deciding certain issues of probate, issuing marriage licenses, creating court records, and certifying and archiving all records of the Circuit Courts and other records as provided by law.

A fully private non-profit, the Foundation was founded in 1953 to ensure that George C. Marshall’s example will never be forgotten. Through a world-class research library, public programs, educational initiatives, and a host of digital offerings, it is the leading institution documenting one of the most important Americans of the twentieth century.

Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) is the unit within the University Libraries charged with acquiring, documenting, preserving, and providing access to primary research collections and documents. SCRC also manages the non-current and archival records of George Mason University, is responsible for the preservation and access to the University's theses and dissertations, and undertakes, through its Oral History program, the creation of audiovisual documentary resources. SCRC services, collections, and programs support the teaching and research activities of George Mason University and also serve the community at large.

Hampden-Sydney College Archives & Special Collections contains a variety of primary source documents, photographs, blueprints, maps, rare books, and other one-of-a-kind materials reflective of the nearly 250 year history of the institution and its surroundings.

The university archives collects materials created by Hollins University as well as materials related to its alumni, faculty, and board. Such records include but are not limited to: minutes, reports, correspondence, diaries, photographs, maps, textiles, scrapbooks, video & sound recordings, and artifacts. Materials date from the late 18th century to the present.

The Rare Books & Materials collection strengths are juvenile literature, English & American literature, incunabula, and book arts. Materials date from 2100 B.C. to the 21st century.

JMU Special Collections documents the central Shenandoah Valley region as well as the history of James Madison University. Special Collections includes strong collections of Pulp Fiction magazines, Artists' Books, and a Juvenile Literature collection created in support of JMU's history as a teacher's college. Special Collections collaborates with faculty, alumni, liaison librarians, and community members in identifying and collecting rare and historic materials for use in instruction and research.

The John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library is dedicated to advancing knowledge of colonial British America, the American Revolution, the early United States, and the history of the Restoration of Colonial Williamsburg. Unique to the library is the body of research on the buildings, people, trades, and material culture of 18th-century Williamsburg.

Jones Memorial Library specializes in genealogy and local history. Although the library's primary focus is on the central Virginia area, the collection includes a wide variety of materials covering the State of Virginia as well as the surrounding states, including county histories and court records, family histories and genealogies, general works on the Civil War, county land tax and personal property tax records, and census records. Materials of local interest include microfilmed copies of the Lynchburg newspapers, microfilmed copies of funeral home burial files, architectural archives, city directories, indexes of marriage and death notices, and microfilmed church records. The Library also houses over 300 manuscript collections, including personal family papers and correspondence, records of clubs and organizations, and business records.

Liberty University is an accredited four year institution that offers graduate degrees. The Archives & Special Collections department preserves historical materials of Liberty University and related entities.

The Library of Virginia is one of the oldest agencies of Virginia government, founded in 1823 to preserve and provide access to the state's incomparable printed and manuscript holdings. Our collection, which has grown steadily through the years, is the most comprehensive resource in the world for the study of Virginia history, culture, and government.

The Greenwood Library Archives and Special Collections collects and makes accessible records of historical importance to the university, region, and state. We celebrate curiosity and encourage the exploration of new ideas by engaging with our unique collections.

The Greenwood Library Archives and Special Collections serve as the repository for the Farmville Prince Edward County Historical Society and the Moton Museum.

We are the public library for the City of Falls Church with over 26,000 card holders for the city and metropolitan area. Our library features a Falls Church History Room which we are seeking to further publicize and describe online to make our archival collections more accessible.

The Fred W. Smith National Library includes general collections, special collections and archives as a resource for scholars, students, and those interested in George Washington, colonial America and the Revolutionary and founding eras.

The library's general collections include secondary source materials on the Washington and Custis families, and the colonial and founding eras.

The Special Collections materials highlight the lives of George and Martha Washington as well as their descendants through correspondence, financial materials, and original books from George and Martha Washington's library.

The archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association holds the historic institutional records of the organization dating back to its founding in 1853.

The Museum of Chincoteague Island is a non-profit organization dedicated to acquiring, preserving, and exhibiting objects of historical or cultural value to Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. Our mission is to document and provide education to promote the Islands’ people, culture and heritage while striving to be the authority of knowledge and preservation for both Islands, engaging a diverse audience by presenting objects and experiences designed to evoke wonder, stimulate curiosity, educate, and inform residents, visitors, and partners to shape the future of the islands.

The goal of Special Collections and University Archives is to preserve and make accessible collections and records of historical importance to the university, region, state, and nation. The department functions as a "learning lab" where students, faculty, and researchers can create and explore original ideas through engagement with our unique collections.

The Orange County Historical Society, founded in 1965 is a research, archival, and educational organization dedicated to the discovery, preservation, and dissemination of the history of the people, places, organizations, and events of Orange County and the surrounding area. The Society's reference library contains over 2,000 volumes, and there are over 1,300 files with information on families, historic buildings, events and sites, plus a map and photograph collection.

The McConnell Library Archives and Special Collections supports the teaching, research and public service missions of McConnell Library by collecting, preserving, organizing, and making accessible unique primary source materials that document the history of Radford University, Southwest Virginia, and Appalachia.

The Flavia Reed Owen Special Collections and Archives in the McGraw‐Page Library at Randolph‐Macon College houses significant historical and literary collections that include the history of the oldest chartered Methodist college as well as the history of the Methodist church in Virginia; one of the largest collections of Casanova in the world; the local newspaper photo archive and other local history materials; a collection of rare volumes pertaining to the Intellectual Life of the Colonial South; and World War I codebreaking and ciphering materials.

The Virginia Room holds Roanoke Public Library's non-circulating historical and genealogical research resources. The Virginia Room collects materials of the Roanoke Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia and to a lesser degree, materials of states which are closely tied to Virginia and its people by birth, immigration, migration or by boundary divisions.

Founded as a repository for the papers of Sen. Robert C. Byrd, the longest serving senator in history, the Byrd Center provides public access to Sen. Byrd’s vast collection along with the collections of several other 20th century members of the state’s Congressional delegation. The Byrd Center supplements these collections by conducting oral histories with the delegates and key staffers. We encourage use of our collections by scholars, community members, and students.

Rockingham County Clerk of Circuit Court, Chaz W. Haywood preserves, protects, and provides public access to the historic records of the Circuit Court of Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg. Established in 1778, the Rockingham County Circuit Court has preserved centuries of legal and historical records that document the region’s development.

The Clerk’s Office is responsible for over 800 duties as outlined in the Code of Virginia, including recording deeds, processing probate matters, issuing marriage licenses, maintaining court records, and ensuring the certification and preservation of historic documents.

The Rockingham County Circuit Court Historic Archives safeguards these records, which reflect the legal, social, and cultural history of the Shenandoah Valley. From land grants and freedom suits to criminal trials and business transactions, these documents provide insight into the lives of those who shaped the county’s past. The Archives is committed to making these records accessible for public research, education, and historical preservation.

The Salvation Army National Archives is a non-profit social and religious organization.

The establishment of the Sargeant Memorial Collection (SMC) began in 1927 with only a small assortment of books and historical papers collected by William H. Sargeant, the first Librarian to be hired by the City of Norfolk in 1897. He felt very strongly that Norfolk should have a history collection devoted to her history and her people. The SMC has moved well beyond Sargeant's vision of a collection of newspapers and city directories to transform into a respected regional archives and special collections of more than 24,000 books, 10,500 microforms, 150,000 photographs, and 2,500 linear feet of archives and manuscript collections. The non-circulating collection includes a variety of books and periodicals covering genealogical topics and local history, as well as maps, photographs, high school yearbooks, and city directories for the Hampton Roads region. Nearly 200 years of local and regional newspapers are available on microfilm. The archives and manuscript collections include local organizational records, family papers, and business records. The SMC's genealogy collection encompasses Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, and neighboring states, with books, microfilm, and online databases to assist in family research. Today, the Sargeant Memorial Collection is one of Virginia's finest local history and genealogy collections.

The Shenandoah County Library’s Truban Archives is committed to collecting, preserving, and interpreting resources related to the culture, history, and life of Shenandoah County. To fulfill this mission, we maintain a large collection of primary sources related to the county and surrounding areas.

The Stewart Bell Jr. Archives is a specialized local history and genealogy collection located in Winchester, Virginia. It is jointly operated by Handley Regional Library and Winchester Frederick County Historical Society.

Thomas Balch Library is a history and genealogy library owned and operated by the Town of Leesburg. Collections focus on Loudoun County, regional and Virginia history, genealogy, military history with special emphasis on the American Civil War, and ethnic history. It is designated as an Underground Railroad research site.

Jefferson Lab, a forefront U.S. Department of Energy nuclear physics research facility, provides world-class, unique research capabilities and innovative technologies to serve an international scientific user community. Specifically, the laboratory’s mission is to:

deliver discovery-caliber research by exploring the atomic nucleus and its fundamental constituents, including precise tests of their interactions; apply advanced particle accelerator, detector and other technologies to develop new basic research capabilities and to address the challenges of modern society; advance knowledge of science and technology through education and public outreach, and; provide responsible and effective stewardship of resources.

Special Collections and University Archives collects and makes accessible the history of the University of Mary Washington, serving as the repository for materials from all departments and divisions of the University. Key collections include those of James L. Farmer, Jr., one of the foremost leaders in the Civil Rights movement, and materials related to the early education of teachers in Virginia. The unit also includes a rare books collection of over 1,500 volumes dating from the 16th century to the present and a large collection of WWI posters.

The University of Richmond's collections are eclectic and wide-ranging, but areas of particular strength include: Richmond and Virginia history; the Civil War; historic children's literature, civil rights, and the history of the book. Also included are collections related to the history of the University of Richmond, including student, faculty, staff, and alumni materials.

The Claude Moore Health Sciences Library is home to the University of Virginia's collection of rare and unique resources documenting the history of the health sciences.

Special Collections maintains over 80 manuscript collections on the history of legal thought and legal practice. Our collections are particularly strong in American legal history since 1700, featuring collections of papers from Judges and local law practices. Additionally, our holdings also include large international collections, ranging from 17th-century Italian wills to papers of the United Nations.

The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library administers over 13 million manuscripts, 3.6 million items in the University archives, and 325,000 rare books, as well as approximately 5,000 maps, over 4,000 broadsides; more than 250,000 photographs and small prints; over 8,000 reels of microfilm; and substantial holdings of audio recordings, motion picture films, and ephemera.

The major emphasis of the Department’s collections are American history and literature, with additional substantive collections in Virginiana, British literature, African-American history, book arts, the history of sporting and World War I, among others. In addition, the library serves as the University Archives, holding records of historic significance to UVA.

Special Collections and Archives collects primary source materials documenting the health sciences and the health care professions in Virginia. Manuscript collections include the personal papers of Virginia nurses, physicians, dentists, and other health care practitioners as well as the records of various professional organizations. Nursing is particularly well represented. The department also holds the historical records for the Medical Department of Hampden-Sydney College, Medical College of Virginia, and the University College of Medicine as well as the archives for the MCV Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University.

Special Collections and Archives at James Branch Cabell Library collects rare and unique research materials documenting 20th and 21st century Richmond and Central Virginia. Our holdings include manuscripts, personal papers, photograph collections, oral histories, and various institutional records. Books and other published materials include nationally significant special collections of book art and comic arts; rare books and periodicals; late 19th and early 20th-century architecture and decorative arts; and Richmond history, imprints, literature and serial publications from the late 20th century to the present. The historical records of VCU and its Monroe Park Campus predecessor, the Richmond Professional Institute, are found here as well.

The VMI Archives include significant manuscript and Institute records holdings, with a focus on military history and the Civil War. Our extensive digital archives allow for easy online access to many of our collections.

The Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library provides access to a wealth of rare and unique primary source materials for scholars, researchers, and the public.

The Archives consists of a diverse and growing collection of permanent materials, covering museum history from its beginnings in the 1930s until today. The Archives includes institutional records from over 25 museum departments, thousands of artist and subject files, as well as donated collections related to the museum and the history of art in Virginia. The Archives also recently launched the Virginia Artists Archives, a collecting initiative that aims to create a rich, diverse, and unprecedented collection of Virginia artists’ papers to increase awareness about the contributions of Virginia artists, both past and present.

The VMHC collections consist of a wide range of objects, including books and bound serials, Confederate imprints, sheet music, broadsides, newspapers, family and personal papers, business and organizational records, genealogical materials, maps, paintings, prints, postcards, weapons, militaria, glass plate negatives, and photographs from the nineteenth century to the present.

The Virginia Peninsula Community College Archives is the official repository of records and materials of historical significance or continuing value for the Virginia Peninsula Community College Community and the guide to its past. Institutional records of historical significance or continuing value will be retained and preserved to document the history and development of the College from its inception to the present day. The aim is to develop an authentic collection of historical materials on all aspects of the College’s significance and impact on its community.

Papers of selected justices of the Supreme Court of Virginia, 1970-2011; records, photographs, sound and video recordings documenting the administrative history of the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia, 1925-present; video recordings of oral histories of retired judges, justices, lawyers, and court staff, 2007-present.

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.

Special Collections is located in Carol M. Newman Library at Virginia Tech. Special Collections includes manuscript collections, rare books, and the University Archives, as well as state, local and historical maps and photographs. Our mission is to collect and preserve unique, historical materials and provide access to them in their original form.

We are proud of our history as one of the nation's older historically black colleges (HBCUs), founded in 1865. Our library was formerly the William J. Clark Library located in the historic landmark Belgian Friendship Building given to the University by the government of Belgium in 1941.

In 1997 we relocated to a new facility on campus named after Virginia Union's most celebrated alumnus: L. Douglas Wilder, humanitarian, civil rights leader and the first elected African-American governor (1990-1994) in the nation. The library houses The Wilder Collection which is a very popular national and international attraction.

The Washington and Lee University Special Collections and Archives Department houses over 1,000 unique manuscript collections including those of the Rockbridge Historical Society, The American Shakespeare Center, and the Mountain Valley Preservation Association. These collections vary greatly in size, format, and scope. Subjects covered within the collections are diverse and include concentrations in American and Virginia history, regional genealogy, history of propaganda, Southern literature, and theater.

It also houses over 10,000 photographs and prints. Beyond our photograph and print collections, which include scrapbooks, images can also be found within the manuscript collections and University Archives described above. Our photographic holdings vary greatly in size and include numerous formats representative of the evolution of the photographic process. Strengths are local and regional portraiture, landscapes and architecture, W&L University history, including athletics, and late 19th-century travel.

The Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Archives comprises the Papers of Lewis F. Powell, Jr., other manuscript collections held by the law library, the rare book collection, and the archives of the School of Law. Areas of collecting emphasis include United States law, Virginia law and faculty and alumni of Washington and Lee University School of Law.

The West Virginia & Regional History Center preserves and provides access to the records that document the history and culture of the state and the central Appalachian region. The Center is part of West Virginia University Libraries.

Founded in 1905, West Virginia Archives and History maintains the Archives and History Library and the West Virginia State Archives; administers the highway marker program to designate historical sites; and provides support services and technical assistance to state, county, and historical organizations, and institutions.

The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) houses one of the largest and most significant collections of rare and unique materials of any educational institution of comparable size in the United States. Focused on Virginia history but with nationally and internationally important collections, the Manuscripts Collection includes letters, diaries, journals, scrapbooks, business records, organizational minutes, and other items that provide evidence of events great and small and the daily lives of Americans of all backgrounds. The Rare Books Collection, with volumes dating from the 15th century to the present, is strong in dogs, Virginia-related items, early Virginia family libraries, gardening and natural history, religion, book arts, printing history, travel, science, and medicine. The University Archives documents the history of William & Mary from 1693 to the present, including a wide range of materials from administrative records, student organization records, and alumni papers to photographs, audio-visual materials, and artifacts.

From the first printed edition of the earliest English law treatise to presentation volumes inscribed by some of the greatest legal scholars of the twentieth century, the Wolf Law Library's Special Collections includes the Institutes of Justinian, foundational works of the American judicial system, and a re-creation of the library of George Wythe, America's first law professor. It encompasses a broad range of formats, including a pleading prepared and signed by Wythe in 1746, a piece of the "Charter Oak", and the family Bible of Chief Justice John Marshall.

York County Public Library's Virginiana Collection is located at the Yorktown Library branch. This collection contains books, maps, and photographs on the history of Virginia and York County. There are over 1,000 items in the collection. It serves YCPL's mission to connect our community to resources that enrich their lives by housing local historical and genealogical information that can be accessed by the general public.