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: Tom Camden
Phone: (540) 458-8649
Phone: (540) 463-8109
Fax: (540) 463-8964

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Search Results

Academic Departments - Record Group 9

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Abstract Or Scope

This record group contains materials created by individual academic departments.

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Adair-Hutton Department Store Fire Photograph, 1949

1 Item
Abstract Or Scope

The image depicts the aftermath of the Adair-Hutton Department Store fire in Lexington, Virginia on December 16, 1949. The building was located on the southwest corner of Main and Washington Streets. There are onlookers and cars parked up the street. This photograph is a modern copy of the original, which was taken a few days after the fire.

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Adair-Hutton Department Store Fire Photograph, 1949 1 Item

African-American Heritage Exhibit materials, 1992/2001

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This collection contains research materials gathered during 2001 for an African American heritage exhibit put on by Rockbridge Historical Society. It also contains a booklet from 125th anniversary of the First Baptist Church in Lexington, Va.

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African-American Heritage Exhibit materials, 1992/2001 0.25 Linear Feet

Washington and Lee University and Regional Virginia History Research Collection, 1609/2016

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Published lecture by retired professor John McKenzie Gunn, dated April 25, 1994; "Can Economics be Both Relevant and 'good'?"

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African Americans 1 Files Box 1, Folder 2

Blackburn, Thomas, 1854 Box 2, Folder 22

Rockbridge Historical Society files on Houses, 1800/1995

1 Linear Feet Two boxes each measuring 7inches.
Abstract Or Scope

This collection consists of essays, reports, financial documentation, and other historic records documenting the presence, arcitecture, development, or evolution of local houses in and around Rockbridge County and Lexington, Virginia.

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Alexander-Withrow House 1 Item Box 1, Folder 11

Alexander Lockhart Nelson papers, 1848/1902

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The Alexander Lockhart Nelson Papers consist of materials related to Nelson's life as mathematician at Washington and Lee University; Nelson, Guy, Matthews, Archer, and Rennick family genealogy; an address by Nelson on his teaching experience during Robert E. Lee's presidency of Washington College; some family and miscellaneous correspondences; and photographs. Included and, perhaps, the primary aspect of the collection is Nelson's notebook used during his time as both student and professor of mathematics during the mid through late 19th century. The notebook also contains a range of content unrelated to his career as mathematician such as an extensive family tree, a journal/day book which includes details about weather from December 1880 through March 1881 in Lexington, Va.; a pencil drawing of his property and its improvements in downtown Lexington; and notes about payments made to a hired laborer for his Lexington home and grounds. There is an albumen photograph of a group of young girls of the Ann Smith Academy in Lexington – including an image of Nelson's daughter Evelyn. The collection is in two series – each formerly a unique accession from unique sources and different dates. The collections have recently been combined. Each series includes a control folder explaining its provenance. Series two includes a letter from WLU student Jack C. Desha in 1871 to his father Lucius Desha of Kentucky. In the letter Jack shares his travel experiences from Cincinnatti, Ohio to Lexington, Va., including an overnight visit in Washington DC. Series two also includes student Randolph Preston's (WLU class of 1902)typescript reminiscence of his Washington and Lee University student experience fifty years earlier.

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Alexander Lockhart Nelson papers, 1848/1902 0.5 Linear Feet

Anderson Family papers, 1755/1958

13.25 Linear Feet Six document cases, three half-size document cases, 9 flat boxes
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This collection contains items of the Anderson and Alexander families including correspondence dealing with legal business, family matters, and Lexington, Virginia affairs. Consists largely of the family correspondence of William Alexander Anderson, Francis T. Anderson, and Mary Anne Alexander Anderson; includes letters to and from Virginia Governor John Letcher, and two letters from Mildred Lee, daughter of Robert E. Lee. Other correspondents include William A. Glasgow, George Hutcheson Denny, Charles Alfred Graves, Henry Holstine, George Junkin, George Bolling Lee, William Henry Fitzhugh Lee, James McDowell, Samuel McDowell Moore, and Walter LeConte Stevens. Also includes legal and business correspondence of Francis T. Anderson; letters and diary of William D. Alexander dated 1858-1859; business accounts, wills, obituaries, including Mary Anne Alexander Anderson's obituary as a pamphlet titled In Memoriam, November 27, 1881; and genealogies of the McNutt, Anderson, and Thomas families. Includes copies of speeches of William A. Anderson dated 1842-1930 and a few photographs.

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Anderson Family papers, 1755/1958 13.25 Linear Feet Six document cases, three half-size document cases, 9 flat boxes

Anne Carter Lee Records, 1993/1994

5 Files
Abstract Or Scope

This collection contains records (copies of clippings and Lee family correspondence, photographs of Lee Chapel) pertaining to the re-interment of Anne Carter Lee (Annie) in Lee Chapel, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia on September 29, 1994 from Warren County, North Carolina.

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Anne Carter Lee Records, 1993/1994 5 Files

Lexington, Virginia, 1818/1991

1 Box
Abstract Or Scope

This file consists of a bound copy of a record of Lexington Free Tourist Camp.

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Antebellum Days - History in and Around 1 Item RHS Collection #0078, Folder 8

Brady Survey, 1947 RHS Collection #0078, Folder 2

Camps, 1924 RHS Collection #0078, Folder 1

Rockbridge Historical Society files on government, 1803/1952

8 Item
Abstract Or Scope

An article about a paper presented for Lexington's Fortnightly Club on the history of the Lexington, Virginia city government. The author, Stuart Moore, was born and educated in Lexington and was serving as a town council member when he wrote the paper.

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"A report on additional water supply for Lexington, Va. made Nov. 17th, 1904.", 1904 Box 1, Folder 7

Lexington Gazette article about Lexington, Va., 1952 Box 1, Folder 1

Rockbridge Historical Society files on government, 1803/1952 8 Item

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