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: SCA Staff
Phone: (540) 458-8649
Phone: (540) 463-8109
Fax: (540) 463-8964
Start Over Repository Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library Names Paxton family

N-S Box 7, Folder 1-26

This box contains information about the Newcomb family, the Patton family, the Paxton family, the Pendleton family, the Poage family, the Quaintance family, the Randolph family, Andrew Reid, the Reblogel family, the Reynolds and McGuire families, the Roach family, the Salling family, John Saville, the Shafer family, the Shanks family, the Sheltman family, the Smith family, the Sterrett family, the Stuart family, and the Swope family.

  1. Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library
  2. Rockbridge Historical Society files on genealogy, 1700/1960

Paxton Family collection, 1847/2023, bulk 1900/1980 2.0 Linear Feet 3 document cases, 1 short box with lid

Paxton, Mary Raine

This collection consists materials compiled and collected by Matthew "Matt" White Paxton, Jr. The primary subject matter of the collection is Paxton family genealogy, the history of the Rockbridge County, Virginia, and related families including Houston, Walker, White, Brockenbrough, Hopkins, Bowyer, Owen, and Braxton. The collection includes original manuscripts, photographs, and secondary source materials such as notes, articles, clippings, pamphlets, and published materials. The photographs are predominately Paxton family members from the late 19th-mid 20th century. There is one photograph of Matthew Paxton, Sr. taken while a student at Washington and Lee University (1873-1874) as well as photographs of his son, Matthew Paxton, Jr. at Fancy Dress and dressed in military uniform in 1918. There are also cased ambrotypes and daguerreotypes of members of the White and Hopkins families. The collection includes a number of photographs from the Michael Miley Studio.

  1. Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Paxton House Box 2, Folder 70

This folder contains notes on and photographs of the Paxton Place. The notes discuss the various owners of the land and house, including R. Tate Alexander and various Paxton family members, physical attributes of the land such as soil type, and a walkthrough of the floorplan.

  1. Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library
  2. Rockbridge Historical Society files on Houses, 1800/1995
  3. Hull Farm through Walkerlands Farm

Silverwood Box 2, Folder 80

This folder contains a report on Silverwood, a home built by General E. Frank Paxton in 1857 and later sold to Judge John White Brockenbrough and wife Mary Caldwell. The report discusses other owners, including Judge James Kerr Edmondson and wife Emily, and Mary K. Monroe Robinson and husband Edward (descended from the Lyles and Grahams); a physical description of the house and its renovations; and historical information about the owners and their children.

  1. Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library
  2. Rockbridge Historical Society files on Houses, 1800/1995
  3. Hull Farm through Walkerlands Farm

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.