The UncommonWealth – Voices from The Library of Virginia

Governor, Gunrunner?: “Honest John” Letcher and the Secession Crisis

During the Secession Crisis of 1860-1861, members of President James Buchanan’s cabinet distributed arms to secessionists. According to General and…

Archives Education & Programming Manuscripts & Special Collections

Political Life in Virginia

Editor’s Note: This blog post contains information from a previous Library of Virginia exhibition, "A full vote, a fair ballot, and a free count": Political Life…

Library of VirginiaNovember 3, 2025

Manuscripts & Special Collections

The Tale of Wizard Clip

In the late 18th century, Adam Livingston and his family were bedeviled by invisible shears. Crescent-moon-shaped holes appeared in their clothing and shoes and saddles;…

Kelly DaltonOctober 31, 2025

Manuscripts & Special Collections

WRVA: The Voice of Virginia

Editor’s Note: This blog post contains information from a previous Library of Virginia exhibition (2003–2004), Radio in Virginia, developed by Gerald "Jay" Gaidmore. For generations of…

John DealOctober 29, 2025

The Stacks Virginia Authors

New Books – October 2025

The Library of Virginia's first-floor lobby and Exhibition Gallery are open Monday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The second-floor Reading Rooms are open Tuesday-Friday, 9:00…

Annie HattonOctober 27, 2025

A Bill of Divorcement

After 31 years of marriage, Alois Rick filed for divorce from Anna Regina Rick, his wife, in the Richmond Chancery Court. The two were married…

Jennifer TaylorOctober 22, 2025

Digital Projects

School Spirits

October is full of spooky spirits, good-natured yelling and creepy costumes - but it’s not all Halloween-related. There is also school spirit haunting the stands…

Jessi BennettOctober 20, 2025

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