Collections : [University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.]

University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
170 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Primary Collecting Areas:
American literature, antiquarian and contemporary, American history (Southeastern United States), Virginiana, British literature, Sporting books and manuscripts, World War I, Bibliography, the book arts, history of the book and typography
Fine press and artist’s books, Pop-up books, Victorian publishers bindings, Typography, Archives of the University of Virginia
Description:

The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library administers over 13 million manuscripts, 3.6 million items in the University archives, and 325,000 rare books, as well as approximately 5,000 maps, over 4,000 broadsides; more than 250,000 photographs and small prints; over 8,000 reels of microfilm; and substantial holdings of audio recordings, motion picture films, and ephemera.

The major emphasis of the Department’s collections are American history and literature, with additional substantive collections in Virginiana, British literature, African-American history, book arts, the history of sporting and World War I, among others. In addition, the library serves as the University Archives, holding records of historic significance to UVA.

POC: Special Collections Public Services & Reference Staff
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Start Over Repository University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept. Date range 1838

University of Virginia Catalogue, 1825/1924

The University of Virginia record, published by the University of Virginia. Includes a catalogue of the officers (faculty, instructors, administrators, and other staff) and students of the University of Virginia, descriptions of individual schools and departments, rules and regulations related to admissions and graduation, and information on curricula and textbooks used. Contents may vary by year.

  1. University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
  2. University of Virginia School of Medicine records, 1825/2020
  3. Course schedules and catalogs

University of Virginia, Charlottesville (and local counties) collection of correspondence, prints, and photographs, 1836/2011 0.04 Cubic Feet One folder in a document box BW 10 and oversize folder

University of Virginia, and Charlottesville (and local counties) collection of correspondence, prints, and photographs, 1836-1891, 1985, 2011,0.04 cubic feet, of reproductions of pencil sketches of University Presidents Frank Hereford, Robert O'Neil by Eric Knowles, and a color photograph of the academic procession at the inauguration of Teresa A. Sullivan.

  1. University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

University of Virginia Claude Moore Health Sciences Library Art and Artwork collection, 1819/2016 109 items

This collection contains art and artwork held by Historical Collections & Services at UVA's Claude Moore Health Sciences Library. Items in the collection consist of paintings, portraits, caricatures, maps, and drawings. An updated inventory was completed in 2026 to accompany space renovations that happened in the department between 2025-2026.

  1. University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

University of Virginia Medical Illustrations collection, 1720/1969, bulk 0 7 boxes (7 containers)

Bernie, Frederick, fl. 1792

The collection comprises mostly of anatomical illustrations of humans and animals by professional medical illustrators and medical practioners, but there is a good number of caricatures. Many of the images depict 20th century surgical prodedures; there are also physiological illustrations included in the collection. Most items are drawn in pencil on illustration paper with cardboard backing. In addition, there are some drawings in notepads and on tracing paper.

  1. University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

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Finding aids may contain historical terms and phrases, reflecting the shared attitudes and values of the community from which they were collected, but are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical or mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity.

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