Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities Membership Medals

Scope and content:

2 - membership medals from the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. The medals begin with a small pin at the top, which is engraved with the word VIRGINIA and framed by a pattern of circles. The pin is then attahed to a red ribbon, which then terminates in the medal proper. The medal's front is embossed with the initials of the organization "A.P.V.A" as well as the year the club was founded, 1888. The reverse of the medal reads "Dei Gratia Virginia Condita" (Founded by the Grace of God, Virginia). The reverse also includes images of three ships along with the year 1607. The ships and year are meant to commemorate the establishment of Jamestown. The APVA was a women's club, and one of their first actions as a club was to purchase 22.5 acres of historic Jamestown, pathing the way for the future establishment of the living history museum located there. Medals such as these were worn by members up through the early 20s. Medals belonged to Sallie Munford Talbott, a women well known for her involvement in Virginia history, including her manufacture of the flag that flew over the Virginia Capitol until it was seized by Union forces. Transferred from the William Booth Taliaferro Papers (Mss 65T15). Located in Dec Obj S2 SS2, Box 3. Mss 65T15.b6-b7

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