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 1915
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Student Architectural papers collection, 1960/2011

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 6
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Abraham Lincoln Collection, 1860/1965

1 Files

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

1 result

Abraham Lincoln Collection, 1860/1965 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

Administration records collection, 1776/1976

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.

Top 3 results view all 10

Administration records collection, 1776/1976 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, 1840/1924 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", 1880/1920

1 Item
1 result
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

African American Family photograph album, 1910/1960

0.01 Linear Feet 1 folder

This collection consists of one photograph album featuring both black and white and sepia toned gelatin silver photographs of an unidentified African American family from circa 1910-1960. There is one colored photograph of a dog sitting on a sofa. From some of the captions, it is possible that the family was from the New Jersey area. The photographs are not in chronological order. Inserted inside the album is an unidentified man's graduation photograph taken by the Sarony studio in Philadelphia.

2 results

African American Family photograph album, 1910/1960 0.01 Linear Feet 1 folder

This collection consists of one photograph album featuring both black and white and sepia toned gelatin silver photographs of an unidentified African American family from circa 1910-1960. There is one colored photograph of a dog sitting on a sofa. From some of the captions, it is possible that the family was from the New Jersey area. The photographs are not in chronological order. Inserted inside the album is an unidentified man's graduation photograph taken by the Sarony studio in Philadelphia.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

African and African American photograph collection, 1850/1945

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.

1 result

African and African American photograph collection, 1850/1945 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

Edward Felix Turner, Jr. collection, 1902/1939

.75 Linear Feet
Top 3 results view all 12
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Alan R. Shirkey photograph collection, 1877/1917

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 4

Alan R. Shirkey photograph collection, 1877/1917 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, 1900/1915 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, 1770/1970

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

Alexander Sterrett Paxton Papers, 1858/1959, bulk 1861/1865

.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.

1 result

Alexander Sterrett Paxton Papers, 1858/1959, bulk 1861/1865 .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.

Content Warning

ARVAS is an aggregator of archival resources. ARVAS does not have control of the descriptive language used in our members’ finding aids.

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.

Many institutions and organizations are in the process of reviewing and revising their descriptive language, with the intent to describe materials in more humanizing, inclusive, and harm-reductive ways. As members revise their descriptive language, their changes will eventually be reflected in their ARVAS finding aids.