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 Date range 1851

Glasgow Family Correspondence, 1846/1945 .8 Linear Feet

Glasgow, Ellen Anderson Gholson

Consists largely of correspondence within the Glasgow/Paxton/Anderson family. Correspondence related to Rebekah A. Glasgow dates from 1846 to 1903, and correspondence within the Paxton family dates from 1897 to 1900. Also includes limited correspondence from Ellen Glasgow.

  1. Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Graham Philanthropic Society records, 1809/1942 14.5 Linear Feet 15 boxes (1 document case, 14 flat boxes)

Washington and Lee University. Graham Philanthropic Society

This collection includes secretary's books, treasurer's book, librarian's book, treasurer's books, librarian's books, roll books, and constitutions of the Graham Philanthropic Society. The secretary's books document the minutes of the meetings. The first volume in the collection includes the creating documents when the Society was founded in 1809. The books include accounts of debates on current political and social questions, financial information, membership information, and records of student library use.

  1. Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Henry Ruffner collection, 1815/1867 0.26 Linear Feet one document case (half-sized), one folder

This collection includes three manuscript novellas written by Henry Ruffner, including a draft of his published work titled "Judith Bensaddi," six sermons written in Ruffner's hand, Washington College student James S. Richeson's handwritten transcript of one of Ruffner's lectures on "Political Economy"(1840), a typescript copy of Ruffner's 1847 pamphlet regarding slavery in Virginia, an 1867 letter relating to Ruffner's estate by his widow, Laura Ruffner, and Ruffner's bound manuscript for the "History of Washington College" (circa 1857). This volume includes notes by Ruffner's son.

  1. Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Hiram Martz Papers, 1830/1873 1 Linear Feet

Martz, Hiram

This collection consists largely of constituent correspondence relating to Shenandoah Valley local politics, land transactions, and railroads. Included are letters from Congressman John Letcher and his assessments of the contemporary political scene, including congressional elections, Kansas migration, and railroads.

  1. Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

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