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 Level Series
Alexandria Library

Alexandria History Collection (MS240)

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.

Top 3 results view all 32

African-American History Box 1, Box 5, Box 8, Os_box 16

This subject concerns African American history in Alexandria including records relating to slavery and Black political and religious rights as well as a flyer from the Robert Robinson Branch Library. Most records documenting the activities of free blacks in Alexandria in the antebellum period fall into this category as do modern records that are notable due to an association with African Americans or their communities.

Alexandria-Juvenile Box 1

This subject covers Alexandria-related juvenilia with no known association with any particular individual, business, government, or organization with which it might be grouped by purpose or provenance and currently includes a juvenile work on the history of Virginia.

Businesses 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

Thomas Worsley Collection (MS020)

2 Cubic Feet 7 boxes, 230 cassette tapes
2 results
Alexandria Library

James E. Foley Railroad Collection (MS405)

1.29 Cubic Feet 3 boxes

The collection centers around the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac (RF&P) Railroad Company, which linked Richmond to Alexandria, and connecting railroad lines (i.e. B&O Railroad, C&O Railroad, Southern Railroad, Atlantic Coast Line, and the Seaboard Airline Railroad). The material largely consists of annual reports, time tables, rules and regulations, historical facsimiles, and miscellaneous ephemera. The collection ranges in date from 1869 to 2002, but is predominantly from the first half of the 20th century.

3 results
Alexandria Library

Cazenove Family Papers (MS212)

8.06 Linear Feet 15 boxes

This collection covers the history of the Cazenove Family of Alexandria from the 1790s to the 1970s. The first part of the collection features records from James O'Hara Cazenove (1880-1971), consisting primarily of correspondence and records relating to his business interests and investments, as well as legal documents and business related litigation. Some of the correspondence and notebooks relate to his role as an inventor including a patent for an improved eggbeater from the 1920s. It also includes records from his brother, Louis A. deCazenove (1851-1925), primarily related to his education at Cornell University.

Top 3 results view all 15
Alexandria Library

Edith Moore Sprouse Papers (MS313)

4.10 Cubic Feet 17 boxes 7.21 Linear Feet

This collection consists of correspondence, research materials, including computer discs and card files, and printed local history publications written and collected by Mrs. Sprouse. Of particular interest are the card files, containing extensive information on Alexandria, Fairfax, and the surrounding areas extracted from newspapers and public records as well as collected through interviews and fieldwork.

Top 3 results view all 6
Alexandria Library

St. John's Academy Records (MS004)

2.07 Cubic Feet 5 boxes

The collection consists primarily of student records and student newspapers. There are several miscellaneous items as well. Topics covered include: school organization, rules of behavior, student achievement, student names, places of residence and dates of attendance, and academic subjects and undertakings.

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Christmas Cards

Blank Christmas cards from Patricia and Bob Roland featuring images of the St. John's Academy building dates from the 1980's and 1990's.

Course Catalogues

Catalogues describing the course of study, expenses etc.

Alexandria Library

Alexandria Gazette Ledgers (MS026)

6.6 Linear Feet 5 boxes

The collection consists of the accounts ledgers of the Alexandria Gazette from 1833-1866. Advertisers' names, charges, and dates run are recorded in the advertisement ledgers. Other account books record printing charges, as well as petty advertising accounts. Additionally, two route books from 1859 are available.

2 results
Alexandria Library

R. H. Lancaster Lodge No. 1370, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows of the State of Virginia Records (MS076)

.47 Cubic Feet

This collection consists of correspondence and financial records of the Lancaster Lodge, an Alexandria black fraternal organization. Among the contents are reports, minutes of meetings, dues records and records of elected officers.

1 result
Alexandria Library

Edward L. Daingerfield Collection (MS121)

1.19 Cubic Feet 2 oversize boxes

The collection includes three ledgers belonging to Edward L. Daignerfield, two of which have the word "journal" written on the spine.

3 results

Journal Oversize Box 1, Object 1

Journal Oversize Box 2, Object 1

Ledger Oversize Box 1, Object 2

Alexandria Library

Alexandria Community Web Archives

122.3 Gigabytes

The Alexandria Community Web Archives contains web-published primary sources documenting the history and culture of Alexandria, Virginia. The collection includes the websites, blogs, and social media sites of and about local businesses; local history, culture, and arts organizations; local news publications, local non-profit and community organizations, and local religious organizations.

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Local Businesses

This series contains web-published resources created by local businesses and neighborhood business associations in Alexandria, Virginia. Web archives formats include websites, blogs, social media sites, and internet videos.

Local History, Culture, and Arts

This series contains web-published resources created by or relating to local arts organizations; performing arts groups including dance companies, orchestras, bands, and choirs; historical and archaeological organizations; cultural events; theatres and performance venues; and arts education in Alexandria, Virginia. Web archives formats include websites, blogs, social media sites, and internet videos.

Local News Publications

This series contains web-published resources created by local newspapers, magazines, and news blogs in Alexandria, Virginia. Web archives formats include websites, blogs, social media sites, and internet videos.

Content Warning

ARVAS is an aggregator of archival resources. ARVAS does not have control of the descriptive language used in our members’ finding aids.

Finding aids may contain historical terms and phrases, reflecting the shared attitudes and values of the community from which they were collected, but are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical or mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity.

Many institutions and organizations are in the process of reviewing and revising their descriptive language, with the intent to describe materials in more humanizing, inclusive, and harm-reductive ways. As members revise their descriptive language, their changes will eventually be reflected in their ARVAS finding aids.