Collections : [College of William and Mary]

College of William and Mary

Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Primary Collecting Areas:
Williamsburg and surrounding area Virginia; Southern United States; African American life and culture; Hip Hop History; Movies and film studies; Travel, exploration, and adventure; Veterans papers; Distinguished alumni papers; College of William & Mary; Dogs
Description:
The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) houses one of the largest and most significant collections of rare and unique materials of any educational institution of comparable size in the United States. Focused on Virginia history but with nationally and internationally important collections, the Manuscripts Collection includes letters, diaries, journals, scrapbooks, business records, organizational minutes, and other items that provide evidence of events great and small and the daily lives of Americans of all backgrounds. The Rare Books Collection, with volumes dating from the 15th century to the present, is strong in dogs, Virginia-related items, early Virginia family libraries, gardening and natural history, religion, book arts, printing history, travel, science, and medicine. The University Archives documents the history of William & Mary from 1693 to the present, including a wide range of materials from administrative records, student organization records, and alumni papers to photographs, audio-visual materials, and artifacts.
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Start Over Repository College of William and Mary Subjects African American women--History--Sources

Edith Townes and Marquis Townes Oral History, 2024 1.58 Gigabytes

Edith Townes, and her son, Marquis Townes, recount their family history with the Historic Antioch Church & Cemetery in Gloucester County. They resided between Baltimore, Maryland, and Virginia over the course of their lives, and speak about their upbringings, the relationship between First Baptist and Antioch, local history, and church events.

  1. College of William and Mary
  2. Antioch Piney Swamp Project records, 2024

Elinor McKoy letter, 1847 0.01 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.

A letter from Elinor McKoy, a free Black woman, to Daniel McKoy. The letter is postmarked from Alexandria, Virginia, and was sent to New Bedford, Massachusetts. The letter regards two casks Elinor is sending by freight.

  1. College of William and Mary

Florence Barber Diary, 1902 0.01 Linear Foot

Barber, Florence A. (1863-1941)

This diary was formerly described as an unattributed diary and entitled: Diary (Portsmouth, Va.), 1901, but has now been attributed to Florence Barber of Norfolk, Virginia. In brief daily entries she talks about the weather, chores, and social life, trips to town, church, attending meetings, etc. In August she went to visit churches and schools in Georgia and Alabama, like Atlanta University and Spelman College, both historically black schools. She also mentions teaching music, attending educational meetings in Portsmouth and being elected president of the local YMCA. September 3 is the last entry in this diary.

  1. College of William and Mary

Lenora Davis and David Davis Oral History, 2024 499.9 Megabytes

Lenora Davis recounts the history of her family's involvement with the Historic Antioch Church & Cemetery in Gloucester County with the assistance of David Davis. Her great-grandfather John Allen helped establish the church, and her family has been involved in its' operation ever since. She also speaks about her life growing up in Maryland and Virginia, touching on topics such a desegregation, urban vs rural living, and religious ceremonies.

  1. College of William and Mary
  2. Antioch Piney Swamp Project records, 2024

William James Davidson letters, 1899 0.01 Linear Feet

Two letters from William James Davidson to his future wife, Margaret "Maggie" May Mericle. One written from Camp Columbia in Havana, the other from Savannah, Georgia. Davidson served as a sergeant in the Iowa Volunteers and his letters cover some of the things he experienced during that time. The Georgia letter contains a description of a violent "blanket-tossing" that resulted in the death of a Black woman at the hands of several Virginia soldiers.

  1. College of William and Mary

Women at Hampton University photographs, 1944/1953 0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.

Seven photographs of young Black women and two postcards featuring Hampton University (Hampton Institute at the time). Some photographs have inscriptions on the back identifying their subjects. Names are identified as: Myree Lee, Lotie Mae, Mrs. R.E. Glasier, Wilson & Bertha, Cynthia Elaine Brown, and Lovell Mosley.

  1. College of William and Mary

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