Collections : [University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.]

University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
170 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Primary Collecting Areas:
American literature, antiquarian and contemporary, American history (Southeastern United States), Virginiana, British literature, Sporting books and manuscripts, World War I, Bibliography, the book arts, history of the book and typography
Fine press and artist’s books, Pop-up books, Victorian publishers bindings, Typography, Archives of the University of Virginia
Description:

The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library administers over 13 million manuscripts, 3.6 million items in the University archives, and 325,000 rare books, as well as approximately 5,000 maps, over 4,000 broadsides; more than 250,000 photographs and small prints; over 8,000 reels of microfilm; and substantial holdings of audio recordings, motion picture films, and ephemera.

The major emphasis of the Department’s collections are American history and literature, with additional substantive collections in Virginiana, British literature, African-American history, book arts, the history of sporting and World War I, among others. In addition, the library serves as the University Archives, holding records of historic significance to UVA.

POC: Special Collections Public Services & Reference Staff
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Start Over Repository University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept. Names Adams family

John Adams Family Papers 1842-1943

This collection, 1,265 items, 1842 (1872-1912) 1943 (one Hollinger box), consists of the papers of the family of John Adams(ca. 1816/1825-1873), a prosperous Richmond free black contractor and plasterer, described by one historian as the owner of "the largest number of separate pieces of property held by a free [antebellum] Negro in the entire state." Some of these items offer glimpses of his civic and familial experiences as a free black in a slave society. However, the bulk of the collection consists of miscellaneous canceled checks, promissory notes and receipts (1873-1912) generated by Adams' eldest son Joseph Adams(b. 1845) as executor of his father's estate. Also present are photocopies (obtained by the previous owner of this collection) of John Adams's last will and death certificate, and a partial typescript the 1850 federal census enumeration of the Adams family.

  1. University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

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