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The extensive collection documents the life and work of Richmond-born photographer and educator Louis Draper (1935–2002). Manuscript and photographic materials document Draper's experience and work as an African American photographer, including his recognition of his photography as a form of "engaged resistance" that not only bore witness to leaders of the civil rights movement, but also offered a richer and more diverse perspective of African American life than provided by the mainstream media. In 1963, he was a founding member of the Kamoinge Workshop, a collective of African American photographers, and the collection includes significant materials from the early years of the Kamoinge Workshop and document his perspective on the professional challenges that he and the collective confronted in the process of finding publications that would publish photographs of African Americans made by African Americans. His photographs of significant 20th-century artists, writers, musicians, and performers reflect the wide array of personal connections that Draper made after moving to New York from Richmond, Virginia in 1957. Printed photographs and contact sheets in Draper's archive show a broad view of city life and the everyday interactions between people and also offer a unique vision of African American neighborhoods in the 1960s and 1970s.

This collection includes material related to and collected by the Reverend Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker and his wife, Theresa Ann Edwards Walkers. Materials include personal papers and administrative files of Dr. and Mrs. Walker, audio recordings of Dr. Walker's church services, honors and awards given to Dr. and Mrs. Walker, photographs and slides taken by or depicting Dr. Walker, Dr. Walker's published works and unpublished manuscripts, and other memorabilia and ephemera. Also included is an oral history performed with Dr. and Mrs. Walker.

This collection contains ephemera, University of Richmond memorabilia, service awards, photographs, and postcards representing the life of Earl and Jewell Ratliff and their service to the University of Richmond, volunteer organizations, and their love of travel.

The Gresham Correspondence Collection consists of a variety of correspondence between William Gresham and several poets, authors, and playwrights. The majority of the correspondence is invitations, made by Gresham, to speak and read for the Poetry Society of Virginia. The collection contains two booklets, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and a poem written by Gresham entitled Dewey Beach. The majority of the collection was found within the multitude of books that Gresham owned. Many of these books, including signed and first edition copies, are housed in the Galvin Rare Book Room in Boatwright Memorial Library.

The collection contains the manuscript for Martin Staples Shockley's unpublished work, The Richmond Stage: 1812-1825, as well as other writings of his. Also included are two copies of Mr. Shockley's obituary.

The collection documents the history of the Richmond Artists Association (RAA), from its founding in 1955 by artist Westwood Winfree, to 2005 when the group joined with another Richmond art organization to form the Metropolitan Richmond Artists Association. The material highlights RAA's growth and achievements over five decades, including early annual exhibitions at the Carillon and Miller and Rhoads, as well as numerous other exhibitions. Meeting minutes, officer files, and membership materials detail RAA's administration over the years, while the newsletters provide an overview of all RAA activities. Several files highlight the RAA's relationship with other arts organizations, especially the Federated Arts Council of Richmond.

The items within this collection pertain to Willis A. & Eleanor Shell. Both Willis and Eleanor were illustrators, and Willis specialized in designing and printing books and in miniature books.