Collections : [Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University]

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Dr.
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 26041-9001
Primary Collecting Areas:
Local/regional history (Blacksburg, Montgomery County, Southwest Virginia, and Appalachian South); the American Civil War; Science and technology history (incl. aerospace, aeronautics, engineering, and speculative fiction); History of women in architecture (incl. the International Archive of Women in Architecture); Culinary history (incl. Virginia and southern cookery, children’s cookbooks and nutrition, food production and technology, and cocktail history); University Archives
Description:
Special Collections is located in Carol M. Newman Library at Virginia Tech. Special Collections includes manuscript collections, rare books, and the University Archives, as well as state, local and historical maps and photographs. Our mission is to collect and preserve unique, historical materials and provide access to them in their original form.
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Start Over Repository Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Creator Harris, Mary C. Lum, 1831-1871
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

James W. M. Harris Papers, 1857/1900

1 Cubic Feet 3 boxes

The James W.M. Harris Papers consist of over 200 letters written either from or to Harris or immediate members of his family between 1857 and 1909. The majority of the letters are from James to his wife Mary, written almost entirely during the Civil War. These letters contain descriptions of the siege of Vicksburg, life in Richmond, and first hand descriptions of African-Americans during the war. Harris also frequently recounts current events during the war, as well as encounters with Belle Boyd and Jefferson Davis. Other letters are from Mary to her husband relating day to day happenings, from various family members to other family, several letters from Harris to his daughters, a lengthy letter from Harris's mother describing conditions in Mississippi during the war, and finally condolence letters to James on the death of his wife.

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James W. M. Harris Papers, 1857/1900 1 Cubic Feet 3 boxes

Harris, James W. M., 1828-1885

The James W.M. Harris Papers consist of over 200 letters written either from or to Harris or immediate members of his family between 1857 and 1909. The majority of the letters are from James to his wife Mary, written almost entirely during the Civil War. These letters contain descriptions of the siege of Vicksburg, life in Richmond, and first hand descriptions of African-Americans during the war. Harris also frequently recounts current events during the war, as well as encounters with Belle Boyd and Jefferson Davis. Other letters are from Mary to her husband relating day to day happenings, from various family members to other family, several letters from Harris to his daughters, a lengthy letter from Harris's mother describing conditions in Mississippi during the war, and finally condolence letters to James on the death of his wife.

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