Collections

The collection contains two letters: one letter from Anson Du Puy Van Buren to Miss Ada D. Clark, dated August 26, 1863 and another letter from the National Society of Autograph Collectors to Mr. Forest Sweet, dated March 20, 1948. The earlier letter includes a description of Sojourner Truth by Van Buren and references Nathaniel Hawthorne. The second letter documents the provenance of this earlier letter. The collection also contains one newspaper clipping from The Battle Creek Enquirer regarding Sojourner Truth, dated September 24, 1997.

The collection contains letters and programs, writings and other papers documenting Aquilla Matthews, an African-American woman originally from Danville, Virginia who was the director of the USO African American Women's group, The Sun and Sand Caravan during World War II. The collection includes: photographs of several members of the group notes with description of different areas served and several letters documenting Matthews personal and professional life.

The collection contains Volumes I and II of "Jonathan and His Continent" by Leon Paul Blouet "Max O'Rell" as well as Blouet family genealogical records, and letters from Leon Paul Blouet.

Collection contains family letters and other family accounts from Leila James Mosby and her husband Charles W. Russell. Russell was an officer during the American Civil War for the Confederate Army and an author as well as diplomat to Persia (modern day Iran). Mosby was the sister of Confederate officer John S. Mosby.

Collection provides insight into the life of Algernon Charles Swinburne and his contemporaries, including Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Frederick Sandys, Theodore Watts-Dunton, William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones, Lucy Madox Brown, William Michael Rossetti, and William Sharp. Materials include handwritten letter and autograph of Queen Victoria; Vanity Fair caricature of Swinburne by Carlo Pelligrini, pseudonym Ape; letters from siblings Christina, William Michael and Dante Gabriel Rossetti; Thomas Woolner; Matilde and Karl Blinde; Frederic Harrison; Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and John Ruskin; and two original art works of Swinburne

Collection contains letters from the Todd Family of Richmond, Virginia from 1903-1945. The letters primarily document the lives of World War II soldiers including corporal Stuart Todd of the third Transport Squadron. Todd was killed in action while flying back from a mission in China in 1843. Other soldiers documented include R.M.H. Webb.

The Waller family papers contains original documents including correspondence, deeds, land indentures, receipts, photographs and other papers related to the genealogical research of the Waller family by Anne Waller Reddy (1890-1971). Materials contain those belonging to or documenting Governor Littleton John Waller Tazewell as well as Benjamin and John Waller.

The West-Callis family papers includes a journal, photographs, letters, and bulletins documenting the life of Georgianna Callis and Albert West. Georgianna Callis was the daughter of Elizabeth Simmons, and Albert West of Norfolk, Virginia. Albert West was an architect who served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War building arsenals.

The William M. Harison, Jr. family papers includes photographs of William M. Harrison, Jr. William & Mary Class of 1945, Surry Parker Harrison Class of 1948, and William M. Harrison Sr. Class of 1912. The collection also includes news clippings and a letter from Earl Gregg Swem to William M. Harrison, Jr.