Lynchburg Life Saving Crew Members’ Memorabilia, 1934/2026, bulk 1950/1979

Access and use

Location of collection:
Jones Memorial Library
Jones Memorial Library
2311 Memorial Drive
Lynchburg, VA 24501
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Deborah Smith
Phone: (434) 846-0501
Restrictions:

The collection includes two cassette tapes (Jerry Stout recordings, LLSC radio transmissions, late 1970s), an obsolete audio format requiring a cassette tape player for playback. Access to the original cassettes may be limited until a listening copy or digital transfer is made.

Terms of access:

Access to this collection is open, but some materials may be restricted under data protection laws.

Some materials may contain sensitive or confidential information protected under federal and/or state privacy laws and regulations. JML takes steps to identify and in some cases remove this kind of information. Therefore, materials may need to be reviewed by staff prior to access. Patrons are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to living individuals may have legal implications. Patrons who find sensitive or confidential information in any collection agree to immediately notify a JML staff member. Patrons also agree to make no notes or other record of privacy protected information if found within the collections and further agrees not to publish, publicize, or disclose such information to any other party. Users assume all responsibility for infringement of right to privacy in use of these materials and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Jones Memorial Library and agents against all claims, demands, costs, and expenses arising from the use of JML materials.

Library patrons are responsible for proper citation of library materials.

The Library operates as a fair use educational institution. Patrons are responsible for ensuring that their use of library materials conforms with U.S. copyright laws, donor restrictions, and other applicable regulations or laws. Requests to reprint or reproduce materials, in part or in whole, must be made in writing to the library director (director@jmlibrary.org). Requests should include citations for the exact resource(s). Permission is granted on a case-by-case basis.

Note: William David Crews, Jr. has retained copyright to his power point slideshow.

Preferred citation:

George M. Jones Library Association (Lynchburg, Va.), “Finding aid to the Lynchburg Life Saving Crew Members’ Memorabilia.”

Summary

Extent:
Not yet determined
Creator:
Crews, William David, Jr. Loving, John I. Loving, John C., Jr. Organ, Ed Powell family
Abstract:
This collection brings together memorabilia, photographs, documents, audio recordings, and digital files donated by five individuals connected to the Lynchburg Life Saving Crew (LLSC), documenting the organization’s history, equipment, and personnel from its founding in 1934 through 2026.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

George M. Jones Library Association (Lynchburg, Va.), “Finding aid to the Lynchburg Life Saving Crew Members’ Memorabilia.”

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of materials donated separately by five donors:

  • William David Crews, Jr. donated two USB flash drives containing a digital compilation entitled “To the Rescue: An Archival Compilation of the Lynchburg Life Saving Crew.” Each flash drive holds a PDF document of 6,282 slides comprising a chronological archival review of the LLSC from its 1934 founding through 2025, including articles, photographs, and memorabilia, with embedded video and audio files throughout. The donation also includes two cassette tapes of radio transmission recordings made by Jerry Stout, documenting late-1970s LLSC radio communications.
  • John C. Loving, Jr. donated materials (1950-present) documenting his grandfather John I. Loving and father John C. Loving’s service with the LLSC, including photographs and items related to the family’s long association with the crew.
  • Richard W. Loving donated memorabilia (1940s-1970s) from the lifelong LLSC service of his grandfather, John I. Loving, and father, John C. Loving, including first aid kits and supplies (1950s-1970s), a Rescue Squad/Civil Defense vehicle license plate, personal badges and uniform ornaments, personal identification and training certification cards, a front plate from a “Fire Style” Lynchburg Squad helmet, instruction manuals, photographs from search-and-rescue operations, a notebook of copied LLSC history materials, a street/ordinance reference book, and a flashlight that was mounted to a vehicle steering wheel for quick access during emergency response.
  • Ed Organ donated two framed pictures and related items collected during his LLSC membership from September 1964 to September 1989.
  • Steven E. Powell donated memorabilia (1950s-1970s) related to his father’s LLSC membership, including a uniform, patches, badges, a scrapbook, and a black storage box containing additional patches, badges, and name tags, reflecting Powell’s own service as a Junior Member beginning at age 16.
Biographical / historical:

The Lynchburg Life Saving Crew (also referred to in donor materials as the Lynchburg Life Saving and First Aid Crew) was established in March 1934 as a volunteer rescue, first aid, and life-saving organization serving Lynchburg, Virginia. Over the course of its history the crew engaged in water rescue, civil defense, search-and-rescue, and emergency first-aid response, and maintained uniforms, badges, vehicles, and radio communications in support of its mission. Several generations of local families served as members, including the Loving and Powell families represented in this collection.

Acquisition information:

This collection was assembled from gifts by five separate donors in June 2026:

William David Crews, Jr., who signed a Deed of Gift on 6-17-2026 John C. Loving, Jr., who signed a Deed of Gift on 6-17-2026 Richard W. Loving, who signed a Deed of Gift on 6-17-2026 Ed Organ, who signed a Deed of Gift on 6-17-2026 Steven E. Powell, who signed a Deed of Gift on 6-17-2026

Custodial history:

Materials were held by individual donor families prior to donation; no prior institutional custody is documented.

Processing information:

This is a preliminary finding aid prepared by Gwen Wells, Archivist, on June 20, 2026, with the assistance of Claude AI, drafted from donor Deeds of Gift and narrative descriptions prior to physical processing of the collection. The collection has not yet been arranged, foldered, or boxed; this guide will be revised and expanded (including arrangement, container list, and volume) once physical processing is complete.

Arrangement:

Unprocessed. Materials are currently retained as received, grouped by donor/accession. No intellectual arrangement has yet been applied; an arrangement scheme will be determined during processing.

Note:

This is a preliminary finding aid prepared from donor Deeds of Gift prior to physical processing; an accurate cubic-footage measurement will be recorded when the collection is arranged and housed.