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 1986
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.

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Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

O.W. Riegel Papers

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

Daniel T. Balfour Alumni Correspondence

3 Linear Feet

This collection ncludes correspondence with various Washington and Lee University officials (Sessoms, Hotchkiss, Parsons and Wilson); other alumni concerning Washington and Lee University Admissions, athletics, fund raising, college history, the Washington Society, the 250th observance at Washington and Lee University; the minutes of the Alumni Board of Directors; course book from 1998 alumni college titled Older than America: an oral history of Washington and Lee.

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250th Observance Box 3, Folder 73

This file contains correspondence relating to the 250th Observance.

Admissions Box 1, Folder 6

This file contains correspondence from 1985 to 1990.

Alumni Board of Directors Box 1, Folder 9

This file contains correspondence relating to the Alumni Board of Directors.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Shenandoah records

17.0 Linear Feet 34 document cases

This collection record material of the Washington and Lee University's literary magazine Shenandoah. The records include correspondence created by and sent to editors of the publication, financial records, its constitution, reprint permissions, galley proofs, manuscripts, copyright assignments, and subject files.

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Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Roger Mudd Papers

13.5 Linear Feet

Includes graded papers, clippings, and correspondence with Washington and Lee University professors during Mudd's college years. Also includes speeches given for commencements, press/broadcasting associations, emcee roles, and acceptance of awards and honors. Includes correspondence with J. Stewart Bryan III, John Updike, Sandra Day O'Connor, Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather. Includes scripts from Mudd's years at the Richmond News Leader, CBS radio and television, NBC, PBS, and THC (History Channel) television. Includes VHS tapes of commencement addresses, clips from CBS, NBC, THC and PBS (MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour), personal appearances and professionally produced tapes narrated by Mudd. Especially notable are the video series entitled Great Minds in American History, Learning in America, Inside the Presidency, and Making History with Roger Mudd. Some of the clippings and tapes were used for Mudd's journalism classes at Princeton University and Washington and Lee University. Collection also includes day by day coverage of the U. S. Congressional journey of the 1964 Civil Rights legislation.

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Acceptance Speeches Box 20, Object 60

This is a VHS tape with recordings of presidential candiates Mondale (1984), Dunkakis (1988), Bush (1998), Clinton (1992), and Bush (1992) acceptance speechs.

Campaign Ads Box 20, Object 61

This is a VHS tape with recordings of campaign ads: The Daisy (LBJ), Strontium (LBJ), House (Mondale), Underdog (Mondale), Loopholes (Mondale), Morning in America (Reagan), The Future (Bush), Willie Horton (Bush), Revolving Door (Bush), Tank Ride (Bush), Clean Government (Duke), Flag (Duke), Cime (Duke), and Furlong from Truth (Duke). It also has recordings of two news pieces Duke in Tank and Bush at flag factory.

Debates Box 20, Object 59

This is a VHS with recordings from the Ford-Carter 'There is NO Soviet...' debate in 1976, the Carter-Reagan 'Amy told me..' & 'There you go again...' debates in 1980, the Quayle-Bensten 'You're no Jack Kennedy...' debate in 1988, and the Bush-Dukakis 'If Kitty Dukakis were raped...' debate in 1988.

Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

A. Christian Compton Papers

7 Cubic Feet 1) Subject Files - Washington and Lee University Trustee, 1977-1985. 2) Subject Files - Washington and Lee University Trustee, 1985-1991. 3) Subject Files - Washington and Lee University Alumni Correspondence, 1969-1973; Washington and Lee Law Review, 1972-1974; Washington and Lee University Trustee, 1983-1989. 4) Subject Files - Damages, 1964; Domestic Relations, 1967; Tucker v. Lower, 1974-1995; Research Notes, c. 1960-1963. Boxes 5-7 - Supreme Court of Virginia Case Files in alphabetical order.
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A. Christian Compton Papers 7 Cubic Feet 1) Subject Files - Washington and Lee University Trustee, 1977-1985. 2) Subject Files - Washington and Lee University Trustee, 1985-1991. 3) Subject Files - Washington and Lee University Alumni Correspondence, 1969-1973; Washington and Lee Law Review, 1972-1974; Washington and Lee University Trustee, 1983-1989. 4) Subject Files - Damages, 1964; Domestic Relations, 1967; Tucker v. Lower, 1974-1995; Research Notes, c. 1960-1963. Boxes 5-7 - Supreme Court of Virginia Case Files in alphabetical order.

Compton, A. Christian (Asbury Christian), 1929-2006
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

University Publications collection

tbd Linear Feet

This record group contains official print publications created by the University at the highest level.

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Face Book

Annual publication containing pictures and information about Washington and Lee University's freshman class, which ceased publication with the class of 2019.

  1. Publications for students and families
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Henry Strouss Performing Arts collection

15 Cubic Feet

Includes 2 partial programs and photocopied newspaper articles about the event.

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Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Fortnightly Club Papers

4 Linear Feet

This collection consists of the organizational archives and research papers presented by members of Lexington, Virginia's Fortnightly Club, a men's club organized with the purpose of discussion of current topics and social engagement. The club was founded in 1900 after similar clubs in Newburyport, Massachusetts (also called the "Fortnightly Club") and the "Conversation Club" of Louisville, Kentucky.

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Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Washington and Lee University and Regional Virginia History Research Collection

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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Allan, William 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

Barkley, Alben Box 2, Folder 18

Photocopies of newspaper clippings concerning the death of Barkley at Washington and Lee University.

  1. Biography

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