Archives – Page 27 – The UncommonWealth

Archives

"To Pass Without Delay or Hindrance": Passports in the Unclaimed Property Collection

A passport is both a highly practical and importantly symbolic item. It provides not only identification but also identity, allowing the bearer to travel to…

Claire RadcliffeMarch 7, 2018

Archives

Oh, You Classy Skirt: Valentine Cards in a Norfolk County Divorce Case

Happy Valentine’s Day from Out of the Box! Although today is meant to be a celebration of love and romance, not all valentine cards have…

Claire RadcliffeFebruary 14, 2018

Archives

Virginia Untold: The Cullins family of Powhatan County

Two years ago, the Library of Virginia launched Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative, a digital collection aimed at helping researchers break through the “roadblock”…

Greg CrawfordFebruary 7, 2018

Archives

Collateral Damage: An Elizabeth City County Debt Case

Debt collateral usually consists of something prized by both parties. As a temporary form of payment, something of value is offered to hold or use…

Sherri BagleyJanuary 31, 2018

Archives Digital Projects

Governor Terry McAuliffe: Building a New Virginia Economy (Web Archive)

Looking for the website of Governor Terry R. McAuliffe (2014-2018), which was taken down at the end of his term? The Library of Virginia can…

Roger ChristmanJanuary 24, 2018

Archives Education & Programming

True Son of Freedom: The World War I Experience of James Preston Spencer

True Sons of Freedom, a photographic exhibition at the Library of Virginia, explores the stories of Virginia's African American World War I soldiers. More than…

Claire RadcliffeJanuary 17, 2018

Archives

"Objection, Mr. Chairman!" – The Opening Session of the 1998 House of Delegates

With the Virginia House of Delegates almost evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats when it convenes on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, Out of the Box…

Roger ChristmanJanuary 8, 2018

Archives

Wartime Christmas at Camp Lee

The holidays are an excellent time to eat, drink, and be merry. The soldiers training at Camp Lee (now Fort Lee) during World War I…

Claire RadcliffeDecember 20, 2017

Archives Digital Projects

"Persecuted By His Race": The Norfolk County Chancery Causes, 1718-1913

The information contained in the Norfolk County Chancery Cause 1893-022, Berkley Hebrew Cemetery Association v. Abraham Liebman, et. al., makes for a highly charged and…

Callie FreedDecember 13, 2017

Archives

A Morbid Memento: The Trial of Kit Leftwich

In September 1895, Kit Leftwich (also known as Kit Leftridge) was indicted for the rape of Annie Fogarty, the 12-year-old daughter of his supervisor. The…

Guest ContributorDecember 6, 2017

Archives

Last Call: Women and the Repeal of Prohibition

National prohibition was officially repealed with the ratification of the 21st Amendment on 5 December 1933. Prohibition of the production and sale of alcoholic beverages…

Claire RadcliffeNovember 29, 2017

Archives

Taking Office: Inaugurations of Virginia’s Governors, 1942-2010

Every four years, on the Saturday after the second Wednesday in January, Virginia’s three highest elected officials - the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the…

Roger ChristmanNovember 29, 2017

Archives Education & Programming

The Murder of John R. Moffett: Race, Politics, and Local Control

On the evening of 11 November 1892, attorney and Democratic Party operative John T. Clark shot and fatally wounded Reverend John R. Moffett on the…

Gregg KimballNovember 17, 2017

Archives

“My place of residence is Camp Lee, Virginia”: World War I Military Naturalizations

Beginning in 1795, the United States required individuals who wished to become United States citizens to file a declaration of intent, followed by a petition…

Cara GriggsNovember 8, 2017

Archives

Vote For Me! Governor’s Election Records at the Library of Virginia

As everyone should be aware, it’s almost time to vote for a new governor of Virginia. Election Day is next Tuesday, 7 November, but going…

Ginny DunnNovember 2, 2017