Harrisonburg Historic Map Collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collection Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Harrisonburg Historic Map Collection 1873-1982 (bulk 1903-1956), SC 0050, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
5.19 cubic feet 6 boxes, 6 map folders
Creator:
Harrisonburg (Va.). Department of Planning and Community Development, Massanutten Regional Library, and Walker, Kathy
Abstract:
The Harrisonburg Historic Map Collection, 1873-1982 (bulk 1903-1956), consists of approximately 615 items including maps, blueprints, drawings, and corresponding paperwork created by the City of Harrisonburg. These items represent proposed road improvements, sewer and water lines, bridge plans, land exchanges, and sub-divisions added to the city. Some drawings for church buildings, schools, parks and industrial zones are included as well.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Harrisonburg Historic Map Collection 1873-1982 (bulk 1903-1956), SC 0050, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The Harrisonburg Historic Map Collection, 1873-1982 (bulk 1903-1956), consists of approximately 615 items. The collection mostly consists of blueprints created by the city regarding street expansions, sewer lines and treatment plans, plans for bridge construction, street grades, sub-division additions to the city, and property exchanges. Half of the property exchanges are between private citizens and the City of Harrisonburg while the other half of the property exchanges are between private citizens only. These items are duplicates of maps found at the Department of Planning and Community Development for the City of Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Series 1: Paperwork, 1873-1967 (bulk 1910-1955), consists of a single Hollinger box containing documents. Materials in this series include: sewer connection proposals, deed book references, contract templates, descriptions for land, and meeting minutes. Series 1 is arranged chronologically.

Series 2: Maps, 1903-1982 (bulk 1903-1956) consists of large-sized maps contained within six folders in the Special Collections map drawers, small-sized maps contained within ten folders in two oversized flat boxes, laminated maps contained within two folders in one oversized flat box, and oversized maps that were too large to be to be adequately stored within the map case. Series 2 is arranged chronologically.

Biographical / historical:

The City of Harrisonburg was founded in 1779 as the result of a small land deed from Thomas Harrison, establishing Court Square. In 1849, Isaac Hardesty was elected Harrisonburg's first mayor. The City was incorporated as an independent city in 1916. Since its founding in 1779, the City of Harrisonburg has grown from two and a half acres of land to 11,132.16 acres (11.64 square miles). The Harrisonburg Historic Map Collection was created and compiled by the Harrisonburg Department of Planning and Community Development. The department oversees development and planning within the City of Harrisonburg. Among other things, the department maintains a Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinance. The department is divided into three divisions:

  • Building Inspections
  • Engineering
  • Planning and Zoning
The Building Inspections division oversees code interpretation, permits, and provides assistance to ensure new building projects are planned in compliance with City and building codes.

The Engineering division provides engineering and surveying, public works inspections, and geographic information systems (GIS).

The Planning and Zoning division promotes development according to the City's Comprehensive Plan and government laws by making recommendations to elected and appointed city officials about proposed development based on facts and public forums. This division also supports the department by checking for zoning violations and planning for city zoning or rezoning.

Acquisition information:
This collection is made up of two separate donations. Previously cataloged as MAP 9000, the original collection was donated to JMU Special Collections in January 2012 with an additional acquisition in August 2015. The 2012 portion of the collection was donated by Susan Versen of Massanutten Regional Library, who received the materials from Sam Hottinger at the Department of Planning and Community Development for the City of Harrisonburg, Virginia. The 2015 portion of the collection was donated by Kathy Walker, a GIS Technician of Community Development in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Custodial history:

This collection of maps and corresponding paperwork was funded by the City of Harrisonburg. The items in this collection are duplicates of items found in the Department of Community and Development for the City of Harrisonburg, Virginia. After pulling the duplicate items, the department gave the maps to the Massanutten Regional Library who in turn donated them to Special Collections.

Processing information:

The Harrisonburg Historic Map Collection consists of the original Map 9000 collection that was processed in 2012 and was integrated with a donation of maps from 2015. Map 9000 consisted of 22 map folders and one Rolled Storage box. In order to incorporate the 2015 donation into Map 9000, the two separate collections were combined and then condensed down to 18 map folders. The collection number was changed from Map 9000 to SC 0050 to reflect the integration of the collections. The maps, blueprints and paperwork did not arrive at Special Collections in any specific order. For the purpose of organization, the maps have been placed in chronological order based on the year that is listed on the maps. Paperwork is also organized chronologically where dates are found. Some maps and paperwork do not have dates listed and have been categorized as "Undated." These items are placed in alphabetical order by title. Some minimal preservation has been conducted on some of the maps to ensure the content of the maps is maintained. Many of the maps were received rolled up and for the purpose of storage have been flattened with humidification and weight.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in two series, chronologically, then alphabetically, within each series. All items in the collection are described at an item level. When no date could be determined for the document, it was labeled as "Undated" and placed at the end of the chronology. All undated items are arranged alphabetically.

  1. Paperwork, 1873-1967 (bulk 1910-1955)
  2. Maps, 1903-1982 (bulk 1903-1956)
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard