Collections : [Virginia Commonwealth University, Cabell Library]

The materials in this collection range from 1914 to 2004 and include correspondence, drawings, photographs, and numerous publications by Dr. Branch and others. The collection documents Branch's early life, mostly through correspondence with family members, and his entire academic career. Most items concern Dr. Branch's professional accomplishments in the field of architecture, urban planning, and design. The collection includes scrapbooks, portfolios, and oversized handmade books of Branch's artwork for the General Motors Futurama at the 1939 World's Fair, the Baltimore Museum exhibition "The City," and Richmond's bicentennial celebration in 1937.

This collection consists of materials retained by Melvin C. Shaffer from his tenure at the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) and later donated to Virginia Commonwealth University. The collection primarily documents his consulting and professional work in biomedical communication from his appointment as director of Visual Education in 1947 until his retirement in 1984. There is correspondence related to his position including his hiring in 1947 and some activities in Visual Education but no extensive documentation related to the operation of his department.

The collection contains copies of materials on the history and government of Chesterfield County and some published materials. Photographs have been transferred to the University Photograph Collection.