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: SCA Staff
Phone: (540) 458-8649
Phone: (540) 463-8109
Fax: (540) 463-8964
Start Over Repository Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library Subjects Theater
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

American Shakespeare Center Collection, 1987, bulk 1987/1995

13 Linear Feet 75 plays, 175 DVDs, and 700 photographs

This collection includes 65 Shakespeare plays, additional plays by George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde and Molière; 12 Beta videotapes and audiocassettes; 26 cast scrapbooks with photographs; correspondence between Ralph Cohen and James Warren, founders of American Shakespeare Center, Hank Dobin, Washington and Lee University Dean (2005-2012), and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Shakespeare Center.

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American Shakespeare Center Collection, 1987, bulk 1987/1995 13 Linear Feet 75 plays, 175 DVDs, and 700 photographs

This collection includes 65 Shakespeare plays, additional plays by George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde and Molière; 12 Beta videotapes and audiocassettes; 26 cast scrapbooks with photographs; correspondence between Ralph Cohen and James Warren, founders of American Shakespeare Center, Hank Dobin, Washington and Lee University Dean (2005-2012), and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Shakespeare Center.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Annette John Collection

1 Linear Feet
1 result
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Copy of a Photograph of a Theater Backdrop Painted by Cy Twombly, 1953

2 Item

This is a copy of a photograph of a theater backdrop that was painted by Cy Twombly in Lexington, Virginia. The location and name of the theater production is unknown.

1 result
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Dick Sessoms Theatrical Publication Collection

3 Linear Feet

This collection contains playbills, issues of The Dramatist, and other theatrical and ballet ephemera.

1 result

Dick Sessoms Theatrical Publication Collection 3 Linear Feet

Sessoms, Richard B.

This collection contains playbills, issues of The Dramatist, and other theatrical and ballet ephemera.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Henry Strouss Performing Arts collection, 1880/2023

15 Cubic Feet
1 result
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Thomas Connors Collection, 1805/1923

.2 Linear Feet

Contains 19th and early 20th century British and American theater memorabilia, including autographs of major actors, writers, and managers; and letters, broadsides, and photographs.

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Thomas Connors Collection, 1805/1923 .2 Linear Feet

Connors, Thomas

Contains 19th and early 20th century British and American theater memorabilia, including autographs of major actors, writers, and managers; and letters, broadsides, and photographs.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Washington and Lee University and Regional Virginia History Research Collection, 1609/2016

12 Linear Feet
1 result
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

William Webb Pusey Papers, 1925/1992, bulk 1925/1962

41 Item

This collection includes miscellaneous articles on a variety of literary topics. It also includes approximately 25 items from Pusey's wartime duty in Germany in 1945, including eight photographs of Admiral Dönitz's surrender. Additionally, there is a typescript by Pusey entitled Theater in Staunton, Va, 1875-1912.Also contains a signed typescript of his book History of the theater in Staunton, Virginia, known as Grange Hall, the Opera House (1879) and the Beverly Theatre (1905-), from 1875-1912. Chronicles performances (ca. 700) of drama, musical comedy, minstrel shows, vaudeville, and melodrama. Includes names of major actors and playwrights of the shows, such as Warren L. Olivier, Lillie Langtry, Fanny Janauschek, Emma Abbott, Thomas W. Keene, Sol S. Russell, Frank Chanfrau, Otis Skinner, Helena Modjeska, Julia Marlowe, and De Wolf Hopper, and the critical reaction to the performances by Staunton newspapers.

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William Webb Pusey Papers, 1925/1992, bulk 1925/1962 41 Item

Pusey, William W., III (William Webb)

This collection includes miscellaneous articles on a variety of literary topics. It also includes approximately 25 items from Pusey's wartime duty in Germany in 1945, including eight photographs of Admiral Dönitz's surrender. Additionally, there is a typescript by Pusey entitled Theater in Staunton, Va, 1875-1912.Also contains a signed typescript of his book History of the theater in Staunton, Virginia, known as Grange Hall, the Opera House (1879) and the Beverly Theatre (1905-), from 1875-1912. Chronicles performances (ca. 700) of drama, musical comedy, minstrel shows, vaudeville, and melodrama. Includes names of major actors and playwrights of the shows, such as Warren L. Olivier, Lillie Langtry, Fanny Janauschek, Emma Abbott, Thomas W. Keene, Sol S. Russell, Frank Chanfrau, Otis Skinner, Helena Modjeska, Julia Marlowe, and De Wolf Hopper, and the critical reaction to the performances by Staunton newspapers.

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