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 1948
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.

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Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

O.W. Riegel Papers, 1900/1992

75 Linear Feet

Highlights of this collection include material concerning the Washington and Lee Journalism Department, including course material, student papers, and lecture notes. Supplementing this course material are published materials on the history of film, 20th century war propaganda, the Nazification of Germany, Paris in the 1920's and the "Lost Generation." There also includes wide selections of personal research materials for projects such as Riegel's books Mobilizing for Chaos and Crown of Glory; collections on Riegel's travels to Central and South America and Europe including Germany during the 1930s, and the typescript of his unpublished autobigraphy to 1945 titled "Hacking It."

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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.

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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

WLUR Recordings and Broadcasts, 1938/2010

10 Linear Feet Official recordings from the radio station on reel-to-reel tapes and CDs. 528 Reels

Records of the Washington and Lee University radio station, WLUR 91.5, from its creation in 1967-68 to present. This record group is composed primarily of recordings from the radio station. Included among the tapes are earlier recordings from the Washington and Lee Journalism Dept. predating the founding of the radio station. The station was originally created as an arm of the Journalism Dept. It is now a branch of the Communications and Public Affairs Office.

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Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Camp Okahahwis collection, 1925/2009

13.0 Linear Feet

This collection includes photographs, printed materials, artifacts, scrapbooks, film, and correspondence created and/or acquired by Camp Okahahwis, former campers, and the Camp Okahahwis Scholarship Fund. Subjects include campers, counselors, buildings, traditions, everyday camp activities, and reunions. Four of the photos in the collection are of particular note because they highlight several African American women who served on the kitchen staff. Also significant is a booklet titled "As We Were," created by two former campers. It details the history of the camp by each decade along with important figures.

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Camp Okahahwis collection, 1925/2009 13.0 Linear Feet

This collection includes photographs, printed materials, artifacts, scrapbooks, film, and correspondence created and/or acquired by Camp Okahahwis, former campers, and the Camp Okahahwis Scholarship Fund. Subjects include campers, counselors, buildings, traditions, everyday camp activities, and reunions. Four of the photos in the collection are of particular note because they highlight several African American women who served on the kitchen staff. Also significant is a booklet titled "As We Were," created by two former campers. It details the history of the camp by each decade along with important figures.

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.

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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.

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.

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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

Washington and Lee University and Regional Virginia History Research Collection, 1609/2016

12 Linear Feet

Published lecture by retired professor John McKenzie Gunn, dated April 25, 1994; "Can Economics be Both Relevant and 'good'?"

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Albert Tardy McCown collection, 1947/1984 19 Item Box 7, Folder 18

File includes a program of retirement from 25 years of service to the Buena Vista City Public Schools, two biographies, and two photographs of Albert McCown, about 1955 and Oct. 1980. Also included an early color Christmas card printed by Albert, before his marriage, while he studied Industrial Arts at VPI. Also a Christmas card printed by Albert at his home in Kerrs Creek, Rockbridge County, VA, about 1970's, when he had his family, and an envelope of Albert's, McCown's Printing Service. Included is his name tag for the Virginia School Boards Association, Rockbridge County, with ribbons, Board Member, Delegate. A newspaper clipping, "McCown New Member of School Board," and photocopy of the News-Gazette clipping featuring Albert's service to the Rockbridge County School Board. Also included a return address envelope, Parry McCluer High School, Athletic Department, Buena Vista, VA 24416, maybe printed by Albert when he was Athletic Director there. A 1973-74 basketball/wrestling Parry McCluer high school card. A photo of Albert and coworker Industrial Arts Teacher, Ward Lockett.

  1. Biography, 1700/2018

Allan, William, 1889/2007 Box 2, Folder 7

Contains an article titled "Colonel William Allan at McDonough"; an 1889 address by J. Randolph Tucker; and an 1890 memorial by Washington and Lee Board of Trustees concerning Allan.

  1. Biography, 1700/2018
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.

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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.

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