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 1902
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Student Architectural papers collection

18.50 Linear Feet

This record group contains papers and projects created by students as part of their coursework, such as honors theses and capstone papers.

Top 3 results view all 5
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Abraham Lincoln Collection

1 Files

Collection contains photographs, pamphlets, newspapers, cigar box labels (lithographs), cartes des visites, postcard, etc about Abraham Lincoln.

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Abraham Lincoln Collection 1 Files

Collection contains photographs, pamphlets, newspapers, cigar box labels (lithographs), cartes des visites, postcard, etc about Abraham Lincoln.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

New Monmouth Presbyterian Church records

17.75 Linear Feet 15 boxes

This collection includes deacons' minutes, sunday school records, the church register, cemetery records, congregational meeting minutes, and financial records of New Monmouth Presbyterian Church. Also includes some issues of the New Monmouth News/Newsletter. Of particular note is a scrapbook created of the church's earliest records dating back to the pastorates of William Graham and George Baxter.

Top 3 results view all 6
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Administration records collection

6.73 Linear Feet 14 boxes, 3 oversize folders

This collection includes early Washington and Lee University papers and miscellaneous materials supplementary to the university's trustee's records, faculty meeting minutes, and treaurer's records. Much of this collection was found over decades from various locations on campus and housed in the Treasurer's Office.

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Administration records collection 6.73 Linear Feet 14 boxes, 3 oversize folders

Washington College (Lexington, Va.)

This collection includes early Washington and Lee University papers and miscellaneous materials supplementary to the university's trustee's records, faculty meeting minutes, and treaurer's records. Much of this collection was found over decades from various locations on campus and housed in the Treasurer's Office.

Broadsides Box University Archives Oversize Box 2, Oversize Folder 11

includes "Standing Rules Adopted by the Trustees of Washington College" (1840 September 19)

  1. Printed Material Series
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Advertisement Trade Card for "Quignon-Rombach"

1 Item
1 result
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

African and African American photograph collection

2.5 Linear Feet one document case, 1 folder in a shared box, 1 oversize folder

This collection contains images of both African and African American individuals. The subjects photographed include military personnel, men, women, and children. Some individuals were photographed inside of a photographer's studio. The images vary in size and format and range in date from circa 1850s-1945. Each item has a description at the file level.

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African and African American photograph collection 2.5 Linear Feet one document case, 1 folder in a shared box, 1 oversize folder

This collection contains images of both African and African American individuals. The subjects photographed include military personnel, men, women, and children. Some individuals were photographed inside of a photographer's studio. The images vary in size and format and range in date from circa 1850s-1945. Each item has a description at the file level.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Alan R. Shirkey photograph collection

0.02 Linear Feet 2 folders

This collection contains historic photographs collected by Alan R. Shirkey. Subjects include Natural Bridge, Jordan/Rockbridge Alum Springs, Lexington, and Buena Vista. The photographers were local and included Michael Miley.

Top 3 results view all 5

Alan R. Shirkey photograph collection 0.02 Linear Feet 2 folders

Shirkey, Alan R.

This collection contains historic photographs collected by Alan R. Shirkey. Subjects include Natural Bridge, Jordan/Rockbridge Alum Springs, Lexington, and Buena Vista. The photographers were local and included Michael Miley.

Cabinet card of an unidentified group of people Box Manuscripts Small Collections Box 4, Folder 4

Miller's Studio, Buena Vista, Va. photographer. The image is of a group of people posed in front of a tree with a wooden structure in the background. A tent is partially visible on the left side of the image. The group includes men, women, and children. Several of the individuals are holding plates. Given how the group is dressed, this image could have captured attendees at a wedding.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Alexander, Fultz, and Willson Families Collection

1 Linear Feet
1 result
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

Alexander Sterrett Paxton Papers

.4 Linear Feet

This collection consiste of Alexander Sterrett Paxton's journals in six volumes (484 p.)during the American Civil War. They cover his service as a member of the 4th Virginia Infantry of the Stonewall Brigade, including his role as a Commissary Sergeant of the regiment. Journal entries explore the war experiences of a Confederate foot soldier and include: his insights into motives for war; observations and descriptions of ranking officers, fellow soldiers, friends and family; detailed accounts of battles and campaigns; and experiences in hospitals and camps, including a few pencil-drawn maps of Stonewall Brigade camps (1861-1862). Volume 6 includes a month-long dream journal that Paxton kept in 1864. The collection also includes correspondence between Paxton's second wife, Mary Frances Tapscott Paxton, and her family; ten pre and post-war photographs of Paxton, his brother, Joseph McClung Paxton and other family members (Tapscott family and Lilley family of Augusta County, Va.); and a ca.1860 fraternity/secret society bylaws document handwritten by Paxton.

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Alexander Sterrett Paxton Papers .4 Linear Feet

Paxton, Alexander Sterrett

This collection consiste of Alexander Sterrett Paxton's journals in six volumes (484 p.)during the American Civil War. They cover his service as a member of the 4th Virginia Infantry of the Stonewall Brigade, including his role as a Commissary Sergeant of the regiment. Journal entries explore the war experiences of a Confederate foot soldier and include: his insights into motives for war; observations and descriptions of ranking officers, fellow soldiers, friends and family; detailed accounts of battles and campaigns; and experiences in hospitals and camps, including a few pencil-drawn maps of Stonewall Brigade camps (1861-1862). Volume 6 includes a month-long dream journal that Paxton kept in 1864. The collection also includes correspondence between Paxton's second wife, Mary Frances Tapscott Paxton, and her family; ten pre and post-war photographs of Paxton, his brother, Joseph McClung Paxton and other family members (Tapscott family and Lilley family of Augusta County, Va.); and a ca.1860 fraternity/secret society bylaws document handwritten by Paxton.

Photographs Box 1, Folder 13

8 images from Paxton, Tapscott, and Lilley families

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