Collections : [Virginia Union University]

Virginia Union University

L. Douglas Wilder Library
Virginia Union University
1500 North Lombardy Street
Richmond, VA 23220
Primary Collecting Areas:
The Archives collects historical records of the campus, and the Special Collections endeavors to collect the history of African American Richmond. The Archives and Special Collections houses the personal papers of L. Douglas Wilder, Virginia's 66th Governor (1990-1994) and first elected African American governor in the United States.
Description:

We are proud of our history as one of the nation's older historically black colleges (HBCUs), founded in 1865. Our library was formerly the William J. Clark Library located in the historic landmark Belgian Friendship Building given to the University by the government of Belgium in 1941.

In 1997 we relocated to a new facility on campus named after Virginia Union's most celebrated alumnus: L. Douglas Wilder, humanitarian, civil rights leader and the first elected African-American governor (1990-1994) in the nation. The library houses The Wilder Collection which is a very popular national and international attraction.

POC: Selicia Allen
Phone: (804) 278-4117
Fax: (804) 257-5818
Start Over Repository Virginia Union University

The Records of Community Learning Week 1979-1998

These records reflect the activities and events of Community Learning Week (CLW) at Virginia Union University and in the Richmond community. CLW was organized in 1979 by the Richmond Committee of Black Clergy and the Office of Student Development at Virginia Union University. Rev. T.C. Milner headed the clergy group and Dr. Grace Pleasants directed the Virginia Union University office. The intent was to bring together the community to honor the memory and mission of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pleasants served as program coordinator with Milner assisting until 1983 when Milner became program director. The week-long celebration includes a Community Leaders Breakfast and educational and cultural events throughout the city.

  1. Virginia Union University

The Records of the Library in the University Archives Virginia Union University 1927-1996

Virginia Union University Library

These records reflect the growth and development of the Library at Virginia Union University. The bulk of the collection is the annual reports for which there is a virtually complete run from 1927 through 1992, including semi-annual reports and quarterly reports. The Administrative file contains papers created in the day-to-day business such as limited correspondence, floor plans and library objectives and statistics. The Events file contains announcements for library sponsored events such as guest speakers. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is an accreditation committee on which Mrs. Bradley served.

  1. Virginia Union University

The Records of the Music Department in the University Archives Virginia Union University 1925-1990

Virginia Union University Music Department

These records reflect the performances and activities of the Music Department at Virginia Union University. The bulk of the collection is performance programs for the various performance groups, especially the University Choir and the Concert Choir, and departmental correspondence. The correspondence is almost entirely that of Dr. Hobbs. The Administrative file contains the 1979-1980 Year End Report, a few department faculty meeting minutes, press releases and course outlines. The Miscellaneous file includes programs for opera and alumni concerts.

  1. Virginia Union University

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.