Nelson Photograph Collection, 1910/1950

Access and use

Location of collection:
Shenandoah County Library
Shenandoah County Library
514 Stoney Creek Blvd.
Edinburg VA, 22824
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Zachary Hottel
Phone: (540) 984-8200
Restrictions:

This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. Researchers must register and agree to all copyright laws and archives policies before using the collection. Please contact the Shenandoah County Library before visiting to use this collection.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item] Nelson Photograph Collection, 1910-1950, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia, USA.

Summary

Extent:
1 Linear Feet
Abstract:
This collection contains photographs of Burgess Nelson, his wife Virgie (Hepner) Nelson, and their family. The photographs are primarily snapshots of individuals in various locations in Shenandoah County and in Virginia, but also includes some portrait photographs.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item] Nelson Photograph Collection, 1910-1950, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia, USA.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection is stored in one box.

Box 1: ca. 1930 and undated, 12 photograph sleeves

Biographical / historical:

Burgess Nelson (1890-1966) was a local businessman and Gulf Oil Dealer who built the Nelson Theater in Mount Jackson in 1938. It was the first purpose built theatre in town and Nelson incorporated commercial and residential space into the deisgn. It continued to serve as a theatre until the 1960s.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Carolyn Sue Davidson and Anita D. Jackson, great nieces of Burgess and Virgie Nelson, to the library on February 7, 2026. The photographs were originally part of a family collection.
Processing information:

Photographs were sorted, sleeved, and boxed.

Arrangement:

Photographs in this collection are sleeved and sorted chronologically with undated items at the back.

Physical location:
Shenandoah County Library, Truban Archives

Indexed terms

Names:
Nelson, Burgess, 1890-1966
Places:
Mt. Jackson (Va.)