Collections : [Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library]

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Special Collections and Archives
James G. Leyburn Library
Washington and Lee University
204 W. Washington Street
Lexington, VA 24450
Primary Collecting Areas:
American and Virginia history, regional genealogy, history of propaganda, Southern literature, theater, local and regional portraiture, landscapes and architecture, late 19th-century travel
Description:

The Washington and Lee University Special Collections and Archives Department houses over 1,000 unique manuscript collections including those of the Rockbridge Historical Society, The American Shakespeare Center, and the Mountain Valley Preservation Association. These collections vary greatly in size, format, and scope. Subjects covered within the collections are diverse and include concentrations in American and Virginia history, regional genealogy, history of propaganda, Southern literature, and theater.

It also houses over 10,000 photographs and prints. Beyond our photograph and print collections, which include scrapbooks, images can also be found within the manuscript collections and University Archives described above. Our photographic holdings vary greatly in size and include numerous formats representative of the evolution of the photographic process. Strengths are local and regional portraiture, landscapes and architecture, W&L University history, including athletics, and late 19th-century travel.

POC: Tom Camden
Phone: (540) 458-8649
Phone: (540) 463-8109
Fax: (540) 463-8964
Start Over Repository Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library Subjects Personal Narratives
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Alexander Lockhart Nelson papers

0.5 Linear Feet

The Alexander Lockhart Nelson Papers consist of materials related to Nelson's life as mathematician at Washington and Lee University; Nelson, Guy, Matthews, Archer, and Rennick family genealogy; an address by Nelson on his teaching experience during Robert E. Lee's presidency of Washington College; some family and miscellaneous correspondences; and photographs. Included and, perhaps, the primary aspect of the collection is Nelson's notebook used during his time as both student and professor of mathematics during the mid through late 19th century. The notebook also contains a range of content unrelated to his career as mathematician such as an extensive family tree, a journal/day book which includes details about weather from December 1880 through March 1881 in Lexington, Va.; a pencil drawing of his property and its improvements in downtown Lexington; and notes about payments made to a hired laborer for his Lexington home and grounds. There is an albumen photograph of a group of young girls of the Ann Smith Academy in Lexington – including an image of Nelson's daughter Evelyn. The collection is in two series – each formerly a unique accession from unique sources and different dates. The collections have recently been combined. Each series includes a control folder explaining its provenance. Series two includes a letter from WLU student Jack C. Desha in 1871 to his father Lucius Desha of Kentucky. In the letter Jack shares his travel experiences from Cincinnatti, Ohio to Lexington, Va., including an overnight visit in Washington DC. Series two also includes student Randolph Preston's (WLU class of 1902)typescript reminiscence of his Washington and Lee University student experience fifty years earlier.

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Alexander Lockhart Nelson papers 0.5 Linear Feet

Nelson, Alexander Lockhart, 1827-1910

The Alexander Lockhart Nelson Papers consist of materials related to Nelson's life as mathematician at Washington and Lee University; Nelson, Guy, Matthews, Archer, and Rennick family genealogy; an address by Nelson on his teaching experience during Robert E. Lee's presidency of Washington College; some family and miscellaneous correspondences; and photographs. Included and, perhaps, the primary aspect of the collection is Nelson's notebook used during his time as both student and professor of mathematics during the mid through late 19th century. The notebook also contains a range of content unrelated to his career as mathematician such as an extensive family tree, a journal/day book which includes details about weather from December 1880 through March 1881 in Lexington, Va.; a pencil drawing of his property and its improvements in downtown Lexington; and notes about payments made to a hired laborer for his Lexington home and grounds. There is an albumen photograph of a group of young girls of the Ann Smith Academy in Lexington – including an image of Nelson's daughter Evelyn. The collection is in two series – each formerly a unique accession from unique sources and different dates. The collections have recently been combined. Each series includes a control folder explaining its provenance. Series two includes a letter from WLU student Jack C. Desha in 1871 to his father Lucius Desha of Kentucky. In the letter Jack shares his travel experiences from Cincinnatti, Ohio to Lexington, Va., including an overnight visit in Washington DC. Series two also includes student Randolph Preston's (WLU class of 1902)typescript reminiscence of his Washington and Lee University student experience fifty years earlier.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Allen Wesley Moger Correspondence

10 Item

This collection includes a 5-page paper by Allen Moger concerning the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps (E.R.C.) at Washington and Lee University and letters received by Moger from students who were called to active duty from the E.R.C.

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Allen Wesley Moger Correspondence 10 Item

Moger, Marguerite

This collection includes a 5-page paper by Allen Moger concerning the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps (E.R.C.) at Washington and Lee University and letters received by Moger from students who were called to active duty from the E.R.C.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

August Forsberg Memoir

2 Files

This collection is an American Civil War memoir, c.1870?, of August Forsberg, which includes accounts of Confederate fortifications, marches and battles, and his life in a Union prisoner of war camp in Fort Delaware.

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August Forsberg Memoir 2 Files

Forsberg, August (Lugwig August Forsberg)

This collection is an American Civil War memoir, c.1870?, of August Forsberg, which includes accounts of Confederate fortifications, marches and battles, and his life in a Union prisoner of war camp in Fort Delaware.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Betty E. Munger Correspondence

.2 Linear Feet

This collection consists of letters from more than 60 Washington and Lee University students to Munger that discussed the war in Vietnam and military life, as well as politics, books, and travel abroad.

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Betty E. Munger Correspondence .2 Linear Feet

Munger, Betty E

This collection consists of letters from more than 60 Washington and Lee University students to Munger that discussed the war in Vietnam and military life, as well as politics, books, and travel abroad.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Ellinor Porcher Gadsden Papers

1 Linear Feet 2.3 linear ft.

This collection came from the estate of Ellinor Gadsden in 1985. Highlights of the collection include the letters of Alexander Swift(Sandie) Pendleton, a Washington College graduate who was a top aide to Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson during the American Civil War. These approximately 70 letters were a major source for the book. Sandie was the uncle of the Gadsden sisters. Included in the collection are also a few items of Gen. William Nelson Pendleton who was Robert E. Lee's friend and colleague. There are two ALS of Mildred Lee to Lella Pendleton and two copies of a poem written by and in the hand of Margaret Junkin Preston. There is also an ALS (25 Jan. 1873) from Gen. Joseph E. Johnston to W.N. Pendleton. Other major parts of the collection are photographs (ca. 60), the Misses Gadsden's account books and their memorabilia from their travels.

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Ellinor Porcher Gadsden Papers 1 Linear Feet 2.3 linear ft.

Gadsden, Ellinor Porcher

This collection came from the estate of Ellinor Gadsden in 1985. Highlights of the collection include the letters of Alexander Swift(Sandie) Pendleton, a Washington College graduate who was a top aide to Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson during the American Civil War. These approximately 70 letters were a major source for the book. Sandie was the uncle of the Gadsden sisters. Included in the collection are also a few items of Gen. William Nelson Pendleton who was Robert E. Lee's friend and colleague. There are two ALS of Mildred Lee to Lella Pendleton and two copies of a poem written by and in the hand of Margaret Junkin Preston. There is also an ALS (25 Jan. 1873) from Gen. Joseph E. Johnston to W.N. Pendleton. Other major parts of the collection are photographs (ca. 60), the Misses Gadsden's account books and their memorabilia from their travels.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Emily Morrison Bondurant Papers

3 Files

This collection is a typescript of reminiscences by Emily Morrison Bondurant about her life in Brownsburg, Virginia and later in Buckingham County, Virginia and Auburn, Alabama following her 1859 marriage.

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Emily Morrison Bondurant Papers 3 Files

Bondurant, Emily Morrison

This collection is a typescript of reminiscences by Emily Morrison Bondurant about her life in Brownsburg, Virginia and later in Buckingham County, Virginia and Auburn, Alabama following her 1859 marriage.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

G. William Whitehurst Papers

230 Linear Feet Congressional Records - uncataloged 56 Linear Feet Represented by this finding aid - WLU-Coll-0378

The General Files contain various letters and other materials sent to Whitehurst by constituents and associates and typically include his reply. The subjects dealt with in these files cover the general comments pertaining to local and national matters of interest as well as current legislative issues and Republican Party business. Among the notable issues included in the General Files are files of correspondence covering the Watergate scandal, the Vietnam War, and the oil crises of the 1970's.

1 result

G. William Whitehurst Papers 230 Linear Feet Congressional Records - uncataloged 56 Linear Feet Represented by this finding aid - WLU-Coll-0378

Whitehurst, G. William

The General Files contain various letters and other materials sent to Whitehurst by constituents and associates and typically include his reply. The subjects dealt with in these files cover the general comments pertaining to local and national matters of interest as well as current legislative issues and Republican Party business. Among the notable issues included in the General Files are files of correspondence covering the Watergate scandal, the Vietnam War, and the oil crises of the 1970's.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Jane Isabella Watt White papers

0.25 Linear Feet one box

This collection contains a scrapbook, diary, and correspondence belonging to Jane Isabella Watt White.

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Jane Isabella Watt White papers 0.25 Linear Feet one box

White, Jane Isabella Watt

This collection contains a scrapbook, diary, and correspondence belonging to Jane Isabella Watt White.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

John DeHart Ross Papers

30 Item

This collection contains principally wartime correspondence from John DeHart Ross to his wife, Agnes Reid Ross. The correspondence relates to action at the West Virginia front (Cheat Mt. campaign) in 1861-1862, Jackson's Valley campaign in 1862, Gettysburg in 1863, and the siege of Richmond in 1864-1865. It also includes one letter from Samuel McDowell Reid to Agnes Ross and one letter from Ross to his mother. Additionally there are photographs and a scrapbook of newspaper clippings and Ross family memorabilia.

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John DeHart Ross Papers 30 Item

Ross, Agnes Reid

This collection contains principally wartime correspondence from John DeHart Ross to his wife, Agnes Reid Ross. The correspondence relates to action at the West Virginia front (Cheat Mt. campaign) in 1861-1862, Jackson's Valley campaign in 1862, Gettysburg in 1863, and the siege of Richmond in 1864-1865. It also includes one letter from Samuel McDowell Reid to Agnes Ross and one letter from Ross to his mother. Additionally there are photographs and a scrapbook of newspaper clippings and Ross family memorabilia.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

John H. D. McGill Diary

1 Item
1 result

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