Collections : [Alexandria Library]

Alexandria Library

Alexandria Library
Local History/Special Collections
717 Queen Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Primary Collecting Areas:
Alexandria history, Virginia history, Genealogy, U.S. Civil War
Description:
As one of the core research institutions in Alexandria, the Local History and Special Collections Branch (LHSC) is focused on documenting Alexandria from its colonial era to its modern life as a vibrant community of immigrants and cultural attractions.
POC: Patricia Walker, Branch Manager
Phone: (703) 746-1719
Phone: (703) 838-4577
Fax: (703) 706-3912
Start Over Repository Alexandria Library Date range 1988
Alexandria Library

Alexandria Library Records (MS098), 1937/2013

13.86 Cubic Feet 30 boxes, 1 oversized box

This collection contains the records of the Alexandria Library, documenting the administration and operation of the Library, dating from the founding of the public library in 1937 through the present. Included are administrative records, annual reports, financial records, circulation records, materials documenting the history of the Library, programming and outreach records, and records of the individual branches of the library system. Formats include textual documents, photographs, and ephemera.

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1.2: Administration and Finance, 1937/2014, bulk 1960/1990 5.36 Cubic Feet

This sub-series contains administrative and financial records of the Alexandria Library. Documents include correspondence, budgets and other financial records, affirmative action records, bylaws and agreements, official city proclamations, gift records, and other administrative materials.

  1. Series 1: Founding and 20th Century Records, 1937/2014, bulk 1950/1999
Alexandria Library

Thomas Worsley Collection (MS020), 1978/1994

2 Cubic Feet 7 boxes, 230 cassette tapes
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Alexandria Library

Historic Alexandria Foundation Records (MS070), 1949/1995

2.13 Cubic Feet 6 boxes

Reports, minutes, correspondence, and surveys documenting HAF's formation, relationships to other volunteer organizations, and more than three decades of HAF's preservation projects and concerns. HAF also plaqued historic properties, sponsored the Alexandria Antique Show, and funded preservation grants. In addition, files of correspondence, programs, and publications from other historic preservation projects provide evidence for the history of preservation not only in Alexandria, but as a national movement during the late 1950's and early 1960's. Leaders in Alexandria' preservation movement appear in these records: Ethelyn Cox, Dorothy Kabler, William Kabler, J. C. Herbert Bryant, Howard Joynt, Hannon E. Norris, and Arthur J. Mourot. Among the historic sites documented are Lloyd House, Ramsey House, the McGuire House/Lyceum, Gadsby's Tavern, Carlyle House, the Alexandria Academy, and the 500 block of King Street. Other organizations mentioned include the Alexandria Association, the Gadsby's Tavern Society, the American Legion, the Alexandria Tourist Council, the Board of Architectural Review, the Alexandria Heritage Foundation, the Alexandria Historic Restoration and Preservation Commission, the Building Code Board of Appeals, and the Old Town Civic Association.

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Alexandria Library

Alexandria Antique Arts Association Collection (MS134), 1971/1999

1 Linear Feet 3 boxes

The collection consists of organizational records of the group, including minutes from the monthly meetings and membership rosters. Also included are copies of the newsletter of the American Antique Arts Association, originally named The Quad Anglo and later called The Journal. The collection includes newspaper clippings about the group and its activities, articles written by the group's founder, Orva Heissenbuttel, and articles about antiques and antique collecting. The collection also contains information about tours taken by the group, including pamphlets and brochures from places visited. Additionally, there is a group of photographs depicting members engaged in chapter activities.

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Alexandria Antique Arts Association Collection (MS134), 1971/1999 1 Linear Feet 3 boxes

Alexandria Antique Arts Association

The collection consists of organizational records of the group, including minutes from the monthly meetings and membership rosters. Also included are copies of the newsletter of the American Antique Arts Association, originally named The Quad Anglo and later called The Journal. The collection includes newspaper clippings about the group and its activities, articles written by the group's founder, Orva Heissenbuttel, and articles about antiques and antique collecting. The collection also contains information about tours taken by the group, including pamphlets and brochures from places visited. Additionally, there is a group of photographs depicting members engaged in chapter activities.

Alexandria Library

Alexandria Black Family Reunion Digital Collection, 1937/2005

55 Gigabytes

This collection contains digital donations collected from members of the Alexandria African American community during the 2023 Alexandria Black Family Reunion event. This is a completely digital collection consisting of digital surrogates of the materials; the original items have been retained by their owners. Included are photographs, documents, and ephemera.

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Alexandria Black Family Reunion Digital Collection, 1937/2005 55 Gigabytes

This collection contains digital donations collected from members of the Alexandria African American community during the 2023 Alexandria Black Family Reunion event. This is a completely digital collection consisting of digital surrogates of the materials; the original items have been retained by their owners. Included are photographs, documents, and ephemera.

Alexandria Library

Alexandria Gazette I (MS331), 1942/1996

.46 Cubic Feet 1 legal box

The Alexandria Gazette I, 1942 - circa 1991, contains nearly 230 photographs taken for and published in the Alexandria Gazette. Notable Alexandrians, politicians, events, and historic sites are captured. Several photographs have their original captions included.

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Alexandria Gazette I (MS331), 1942/1996 .46 Cubic Feet 1 legal box

The Alexandria Gazette

The Alexandria Gazette I, 1942 - circa 1991, contains nearly 230 photographs taken for and published in the Alexandria Gazette. Notable Alexandrians, politicians, events, and historic sites are captured. Several photographs have their original captions included.

Alexandria Library

Alexandria History Collection (MS240), 1767/2008

8.75 Cubic Feet 14.5 legal size, 2 oversize

The manuscripts vertical file is an artificial collection containing a wide variety of unique manuscript items relating to Alexandria, Virginia residents, businesses, organizations, and history.

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Alexandria History Collection (MS240), 1767/2008 8.75 Cubic Feet 14.5 legal size, 2 oversize

The manuscripts vertical file is an artificial collection containing a wide variety of unique manuscript items relating to Alexandria, Virginia residents, businesses, organizations, and history.

Businesses, 1800/2008 Box 1, Box 2, Box 3, Box 4, Box 5, Box 6

This subject consists of records from Alexandria businesses from banks and industrial enterprises to small businesses like wholesalers. They include financial records, receipts and billheads, but also catalogs, advertisements and account books. Also listed here are some promotional materials about the Alexandria business community in general.

Alexandria Library

Eleanor Lee Templeman Collection (MS061), 1810/1990

6.83 Cubic Feet 13 boxes

The collection consists of articles, notes correspondence, clippings, and printed matter written and collected by Mrs. Templeman. A full set (1921- 1994), mostly bound, of the annual reports of the Society of the Lees of Virginia is included. Duplicate copies found in the collection were retained for their value as Mrs. Templeman's working copies and feature marginalia and corrections. Thirty-five positive prints, four negatives and one transparency have been transferred to the Photographic Collection. Most correspondence was retained in the subject areas it was found in rather than being organized separately.

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Alexandria Library

Alexandria Library Board Records (MS416), 1937/2020

6.9 Cubic Feet 14 boxes

This collection contains records of the Alexandria Library Board, documenting the administration and operations of the Board, dating from 1937 through 2020. Materials in this collection include correspondence, financial records, annual reports, member directories, newsclippings, Library circulation statistics, Library Annual Reports, and drafts of Library policies and procedures.

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Alexandria Library Board Records (MS416), 1937/2020 6.9 Cubic Feet 14 boxes

Alexandria Library (Alexandria, Va.). Board

This collection contains records of the Alexandria Library Board, documenting the administration and operations of the Board, dating from 1937 through 2020. Materials in this collection include correspondence, financial records, annual reports, member directories, newsclippings, Library circulation statistics, Library Annual Reports, and drafts of Library policies and procedures.

Alexandria Library

Alexandria Library Company Records (MS002), 1794/2007

8.10 Cubic Feet 13 boxes, 2 oversize boxes, 1 record carton

The collection consists of circulation, subscription, and financial ledgers, annual lecture series documents, catalogues, correspondence, and various organizational documents. Topics include: foundation of the Alexandria Library Company, its cycles of growth and decline reflecting the local economy; the formation of the local public library system; and the on-going activities of the Alexandria Library Company, most notably its lecture series.

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Alexandria Library Company Records (MS002), 1794/2007 8.10 Cubic Feet 13 boxes, 2 oversize boxes, 1 record carton

Alexandria Library Company

The collection consists of circulation, subscription, and financial ledgers, annual lecture series documents, catalogues, correspondence, and various organizational documents. Topics include: foundation of the Alexandria Library Company, its cycles of growth and decline reflecting the local economy; the formation of the local public library system; and the on-going activities of the Alexandria Library Company, most notably its lecture series.

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