Collections : [University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.]

University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
170 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Primary Collecting Areas:
American literature, antiquarian and contemporary, American history (Southeastern United States), Virginiana, British literature, Sporting books and manuscripts, World War I, Bibliography, the book arts, history of the book and typography
Fine press and artist’s books, Pop-up books, Victorian publishers bindings, Typography, Archives of the University of Virginia
Description:

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.

POC: Special Collections Public Services & Reference Staff
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Start Over Repository University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept. Subjects African American women
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Booker T. Washington Night School Sewing Graduating Class of 1950 photograph, 1950

0.03 Cubic Feet One letter-size file folder

This collection contains a class-composite photograph documenting the graduating class of 1950 from the Sewing Program of the Booker T. Washington Night School in Norfolk, Virginia. The composite features formal studio portrait vignettes of more than seventy graduates, nearly all African American women, arranged in rows around a central image of the Booker T. Washington High School building and photographs of faculty and administrators. Each student is identified by name under their image. The image was taken by Modern Arts Studio, a professional photo studio on Church Street in Norfolk.

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Booker T. Washington Night School Sewing Graduating Class of 1950 photograph, 1950 0.03 Cubic Feet One letter-size file folder

Max Rambod

This collection contains a class-composite photograph documenting the graduating class of 1950 from the Sewing Program of the Booker T. Washington Night School in Norfolk, Virginia. The composite features formal studio portrait vignettes of more than seventy graduates, nearly all African American women, arranged in rows around a central image of the Booker T. Washington High School building and photographs of faculty and administrators. Each student is identified by name under their image. The image was taken by Modern Arts Studio, a professional photo studio on Church Street in Norfolk.

University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Cora M. Aldridge scrapbook, 1926/1956

0.04 Cubic Feet One letter-sized file folder changed to legal size folder because letter inside scrapbook is legal size.

This collection contains the college scrapbook of Cora M. Aldridge, an African American student at Hartshorn Memorial College in Richmond, Virginia. Hartshorn Memorial College was a private college for African American women in Richmond, Virginia, active from 1883 until 1932, when it merged with Virginia Union University. The cover is titled "My Memories of School Days" in gilt. Alridge's name and her Vauxhall, New Jersey, address are written on the first endpage, as is the date of June 14, 1926. The content of the scrapbook chronicles Alridge's final year at Hartshorn. A photograph of Hartshorn, social and academic event programs, graduation cards, a flower, and newspaper clippings are tipped in and pasted throughout. The signatures of Cora's classmates, many with greetings and well wishes, are also present throughout the scrapbook. Cora describes her love for dancing, taking the streetcar, stealing food, going to shows in town, and other activities forbidden for students at the College. A tipped-in handwritten essay by Aldrige is titled "Do not simply be good – be good for something." There is a letter from 1956 relating to the 30th anniversary of the Class of 1926's graduation.

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Cora M. Aldridge scrapbook, 1926/1956 0.04 Cubic Feet One letter-sized file folder changed to legal size folder because letter inside scrapbook is legal size.

Aldridge, Cora M.

This collection contains the college scrapbook of Cora M. Aldridge, an African American student at Hartshorn Memorial College in Richmond, Virginia. Hartshorn Memorial College was a private college for African American women in Richmond, Virginia, active from 1883 until 1932, when it merged with Virginia Union University. The cover is titled "My Memories of School Days" in gilt. Alridge's name and her Vauxhall, New Jersey, address are written on the first endpage, as is the date of June 14, 1926. The content of the scrapbook chronicles Alridge's final year at Hartshorn. A photograph of Hartshorn, social and academic event programs, graduation cards, a flower, and newspaper clippings are tipped in and pasted throughout. The signatures of Cora's classmates, many with greetings and well wishes, are also present throughout the scrapbook. Cora describes her love for dancing, taking the streetcar, stealing food, going to shows in town, and other activities forbidden for students at the College. A tipped-in handwritten essay by Aldrige is titled "Do not simply be good – be good for something." There is a letter from 1956 relating to the 30th anniversary of the Class of 1926's graduation.

University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Gamma Chi Omega Chapter Records, 1945/1981, bulk 1950/1969

.08 Cubic Feet 2 legal folders
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University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Louise Boyer scrapbooks, 1925/1936

0.5 Cubic Feet two scrapbooks and folders in one legal size document box

This collection contains the college scrapbook of Louise Boyer who attended the School of Education at the Hampton Institute, now Hampton University, in Hampton, Virginia. Hampton Institute, a historically Black college, was founded in 1868 as the Hampton Agricultural and Industrial School by the American Missionary Association for the education of the formerly enslaved. Also included is an earlier collection of one scrapbook titled "Scrapbook of Louise Boyer at Hampton Institute. This scrapbook has more information about Hampton Institute included with Boyer's own scrapbook pages. There are pressed flowers, progams for music events and track meets, autographs, greeting cards, poetry, photographs, and newspaper clippings. There is also a poem dedicated to the memory of Hampton administrator Albert Howe.

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Hampton Institute Scrapbook of Louise Boyer, 1925/1936 0.25 Cubic Feet Boxed with addition scrapbook 2 in legal document size box Box 1, Folder 1

This scrapbook has more information about Hampton Institute included with Boyer's own scrapbook pages. There are pressed flowers, progams for music events and track meets, autographs, greeting cards, and newspaper clippings. There is also a poem dedicated to the memory of Hampton administrator Albert Howe.

Louise Boyer scrapbooks, 1925/1936 0.5 Cubic Feet two scrapbooks and folders in one legal size document box

McCorkle, Louise Alberta Boyer, 1908-

This collection contains the college scrapbook of Louise Boyer who attended the School of Education at the Hampton Institute, now Hampton University, in Hampton, Virginia. Hampton Institute, a historically Black college, was founded in 1868 as the Hampton Agricultural and Industrial School by the American Missionary Association for the education of the formerly enslaved. Also included is an earlier collection of one scrapbook titled "Scrapbook of Louise Boyer at Hampton Institute. This scrapbook has more information about Hampton Institute included with Boyer's own scrapbook pages. There are pressed flowers, progams for music events and track meets, autographs, greeting cards, poetry, photographs, and newspaper clippings. There is also a poem dedicated to the memory of Hampton administrator Albert Howe.

University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Howard University student diary, 1915

0.03 Cubic Feet One letter-size file folder

This collection contains a diary from an unknown female student attending Howard University in 1915. It measures 9 X 6 inches, and the pages are hole-punched and tied with a ribbon. The diary includes one tipped-in item and twenty-eight leaves with thirty-three of the pages written on. Most of the diary documents the last few days of May 1915, covering the writer's final days at Howard and reminiscing about her time at the university.

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Howard University student diary, 1915 0.03 Cubic Feet One letter-size file folder

Langdon Manor Books

This collection contains a diary from an unknown female student attending Howard University in 1915. It measures 9 X 6 inches, and the pages are hole-punched and tied with a ribbon. The diary includes one tipped-in item and twenty-eight leaves with thirty-three of the pages written on. Most of the diary documents the last few days of May 1915, covering the writer's final days at Howard and reminiscing about her time at the university.

University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Langston Hughes photograph with women journalists-addition 1, 1952

.03 Cubic Feet 1 letter folder

This addition to MSS 8870, Langston Hughes Collection, contains an 8" x 10" gelatin silver press photograph of Langston Hughes and Anna Land Butler, who is signing a book, surrounded by several Black female journalists. The land is likely signing her first book, "Album of Love Letters Unsent," published in 1952. Included with the picture is a typed caption identifying all the sitters and handwritten annotations indicating those who were deceased. Those identified in the photograph are Janice King, NYC; Conchita Nakatani, Philadelphia Courier Office; Mrs. Ryan, NYC; Jessie Vann, President and Treasurer, Pittsburgh Courier; Anna Land Bulter, Langston Hughes; and Gerri Major, Women's Editor, New York Amsterdam News. The photographer's name, James C. Cambell, is stamped on the back of the photograph.

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Langston Hughes photograph with women journalists-addition 1, 1952 .03 Cubic Feet 1 letter folder

This addition to MSS 8870, Langston Hughes Collection, contains an 8" x 10" gelatin silver press photograph of Langston Hughes and Anna Land Butler, who is signing a book, surrounded by several Black female journalists. The land is likely signing her first book, "Album of Love Letters Unsent," published in 1952. Included with the picture is a typed caption identifying all the sitters and handwritten annotations indicating those who were deceased. Those identified in the photograph are Janice King, NYC; Conchita Nakatani, Philadelphia Courier Office; Mrs. Ryan, NYC; Jessie Vann, President and Treasurer, Pittsburgh Courier; Anna Land Bulter, Langston Hughes; and Gerri Major, Women's Editor, New York Amsterdam News. The photographer's name, James C. Cambell, is stamped on the back of the photograph.

University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Locust Street Literary and Athletic Club Constitution, 1910

0.04 Cubic Feet One legal-sized file folder

This collection contains the constitution of the Locust Street Literary and Athletic Club of Hampton, Virginia. The document, dated July 22, 1910, is handwritten in graphite on three pages of lined paper. The preamble to the club's constitution states that they operate "to form a more perfect union, insure order, justice and tranquility and promote the highest intellectual and physical development of ourselves and of our race." This constitution contains 8 Acts: Act I details the structure of the organization, including the executive committee, officers, and legislative body; Act II sets age restrictions to 18 or older, limiting the club to thirty members, and details the election process for vacancies in the club; Act III establishes a joining fee of 25 cents, monthly dues of 10 cents, and unexcused absence fee of 5 cents; Act IV notes a schedule of weekly meetings during the summer and one afternoon each month dedicated to athletics; Act V outlines the governing body to consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Executive Committee of four, with elections held the fourth week of July of every year; Act VI says the Secretary shall keep a strict journal of the proceedings of each meeting; Act VII says the Treasurers accounts will be subject to inspection by the Executive Committee; Act VIII notes that a two-thirds vote of the society may amend the "This constitution."

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Locust Street Literary and Athletic Club Constitution, 1910 0.04 Cubic Feet One legal-sized file folder

This collection contains the constitution of the Locust Street Literary and Athletic Club of Hampton, Virginia. The document, dated July 22, 1910, is handwritten in graphite on three pages of lined paper. The preamble to the club's constitution states that they operate "to form a more perfect union, insure order, justice and tranquility and promote the highest intellectual and physical development of ourselves and of our race." This constitution contains 8 Acts: Act I details the structure of the organization, including the executive committee, officers, and legislative body; Act II sets age restrictions to 18 or older, limiting the club to thirty members, and details the election process for vacancies in the club; Act III establishes a joining fee of 25 cents, monthly dues of 10 cents, and unexcused absence fee of 5 cents; Act IV notes a schedule of weekly meetings during the summer and one afternoon each month dedicated to athletics; Act V outlines the governing body to consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Executive Committee of four, with elections held the fourth week of July of every year; Act VI says the Secretary shall keep a strict journal of the proceedings of each meeting; Act VII says the Treasurers accounts will be subject to inspection by the Executive Committee; Act VIII notes that a two-thirds vote of the society may amend the "This constitution."

University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Madeleine Coleman Roach papers, 1942/1945

.58 Cubic Feet 1 legal document box, 1 Oversize Folder (Small, OS S)

This material contains references to offensive and harmful language and crimes involving racism. The purpose of this note is to give users the opportunity to decide whether they need or want to view these materials, or at least, to mentally or emotionally prepare themselves to view the materials.

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Madeleine Coleman Roach papers, 1942/1945 .58 Cubic Feet 1 legal document box, 1 Oversize Folder (Small, OS S)

Coleman, Madeleine, 1920-

This material contains references to offensive and harmful language and crimes involving racism. The purpose of this note is to give users the opportunity to decide whether they need or want to view these materials, or at least, to mentally or emotionally prepare themselves to view the materials.

University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Maria K. Robinson Scrapbook, 1973/1974

.6 Cubic Feet 1 medium flat box

Scrapbook assembled by African-American woman, Maria Kathleen Robinson while she was attending historically-Black college Prairie View A&M University in Texas. Maria graduated high school in 1970 and briefly attended junior college in Temple, Texas. She majored in Business Education (accounting) at Prairie View A&M in the early 1970's, pledged to the Zeta Phi Beta sorority, whose Greek letters decorate the cover of the scrapbook. Maria participated in the Blue Dynamics dance line, and more, much of which is captured in the present album.

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Maria K. Robinson Scrapbook, 1973/1974 .6 Cubic Feet 1 medium flat box

Robinson, Maria Kathleen

Scrapbook assembled by African-American woman, Maria Kathleen Robinson while she was attending historically-Black college Prairie View A&M University in Texas. Maria graduated high school in 1970 and briefly attended junior college in Temple, Texas. She majored in Business Education (accounting) at Prairie View A&M in the early 1970's, pledged to the Zeta Phi Beta sorority, whose Greek letters decorate the cover of the scrapbook. Maria participated in the Blue Dynamics dance line, and more, much of which is captured in the present album.

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