Collections

This collection contains facsimiles of historic documents gathered by the authors of the book Cass Gilbert's West Virginia State Capitol by Ann Thomas Wilkins and David G. Wilkins. The authors, both art historians, thoroughly researched both the West Virginia State Capitol from an artistic perspective, as well as the architect Cass Gilbert. The first part of the collection consists of documents in folders by year, 1923-1934, and include Cass Gilbert's correspondence regarding building of the Capitol, Gilbert's contract, reports from the Capitol Building Commission, financial details including payment to Gilbert and cost of various ornamentations, details regarding the selection of inscriptions and state animals, public opinion expressions, and completion and dedication of the building. The facsimiles of reports, entire books and journals, full archives finding aids, blueprints and more come from the archives of the New York Historic Society, the West Virginia State Archives, the Library of Congress, the National Museum of American History, the Northwest Architectural Archives, and the Smithsonian Institution.

Facsimile of David Minear's pension application/affidavit for serving in the Revolutionary War, a corrected version of C.J. Maxwell's transcription of it, and Jeffrey Felton's transcription. Also includes Felton's transcription of Nathan Goff's assessment of Minear's claim for pension.

This collection contains records produced and received by the Dean of the Darden College of Education at Old Dominion University. The collection includes the dean's correspondence, information on the graduate program, teacher education, and publicity material for the college. The bulk of the material dates prior to 1986 when the college was organized as a school.

Campaign material relating to political elections in the Williamsburg area, Virginia state races, and United States Senate, Congressional, and Presidential races. Thomas was a delegate for the Virginia State Convention in 2012 and a volunteer for the 53rd Inaugural Presidential Ceremonies. This collection includes badges from her involvement with the political process, pamphlets, bumper stickers, pins, and campaign material for the Democratic party.

Records of the Delphian Book Club, a women's book club founded in 1925 inspired by the Delphian Society, a national organization promoting women's education in the United States. Records include meeting minutes, event programs, and more.

The Delta Omicron (Delta Tau Chapter) collection includes composite photographs of fraternity members, as well as general papers documenting the activities of the fraternity including constitution and by-laws, songbooks, "The Wheel" periodical, devotionals, notebooks, and awards.

Papers of Appalachian author Denise Giardina, whose 1987 novel Storming Heaven received the W. D. Weatherford Award, and 1992 novel The Unquiet Earth received the American Book Award and the Lillian Smith Book Award for fiction. The collection includes research notebooks and draft manuscripts of her historical novels Good King Harry, Storming Heaven, The Unquiet Earth, Saints and Villains, and Emily's Ghost.