Manuscripts & Special Collections

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Virginia’s Coal Towns

In his diary on July 18, 1709, William Byrd of Westover remarked, "Tom returned from Falling Creek and brought me word all was well there…

Vince BrooksJanuary 21, 2026

Archives Education & Programming Manuscripts & Special Collections

Taking Office: Gubernatorial Inaugurations in Virginia

Editor’s Note: This blog post contains information from the Library of Virginia's 2001–2002 exhibition, "Taking Office: Inaugurations of Virginia's Governors," curated by Barbara Batson and…

Library of VirginiaJanuary 14, 2026

Manuscripts & Special Collections The Stacks

Newly-Available Archival Accessions, July 1- September 30, 2025

The Library of Virginia maintains the most comprehensive collection of information about Virginia’s history, culture, and government. We hold more than 200 million manuscript items,…

Trenton HizerDecember 12, 2025

Archives Education & Programming Manuscripts & Special Collections

A Brief History of Public Housing in the City of Richmond

House to Highway: Reclaiming a Community History (July 17, 2025 – February 28, 2026) highlights the history of Richmond’s Jackson Ward neighborhood and explores the historic…

Ashley CraigNovember 17, 2025

Archives Manuscripts & Special Collections

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 future President Ulysses S. Grant,…

Kenneth ForestNovember 5, 2025

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

Archives Education & Programming Manuscripts & Special Collections Newspapers The Stacks

Happy Virginia Archives Month 2025!

Everyone knows that October is spooky season– a time for campfires, warm cider donuts, and Archives Month! This year, archives and special collections from around…

Vince BrooksOctober 1, 2025

Education & Programming Manuscripts & Special Collections

London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Richmond: The Cosmopolitan Sensibility of the 1890 Lee Monument

Confederate monuments are often defended on the grounds that they provide an educational function. Both enthusiasts and critics of the Confederacy who take this position…

Donovan SchaeferSeptember 24, 2025

Manuscripts & Special Collections Newspapers

Of ‘Maters and Mayo: Hot Tomato Summer and the History of Duke’s

It’s that special time of year, when it’s too dang hot to do anything but sit back and enjoy a tomato sandwich. And what’s a…

Sonya ColemanJuly 25, 2025

Manuscripts & Special Collections

Picturing Family

Editor’s Note: A version of this article first appeared in Broadside, the magazine of the Library of Virginia, Issue No. 1, 2024. Whether displayed on household…

Dale NeighborsJune 11, 2025

Manuscripts & Special Collections

Newly-Available Archival Accessions, January 1-March 31, 2025

The Library of Virginia maintains the most comprehensive collection of information about Virginia’s history, culture, and government. We hold more than 200 million manuscript items,…

Trenton HizerMay 23, 2025

Archives Education & Programming Manuscripts & Special Collections

“A Very Excellent Trip” : Governor Linwood Holton’s Trade Mission to Japan and Australia

On April 12, 1972, at 11:00 a.m., Governor Linwood A. Holton and 24 representatives of Virginia’s state government and private businesses left from Richmond’s Byrd…

Cara GriggsMay 21, 2025

Education & Programming Manuscripts & Special Collections

“The best for military purposes of any map available”: The Ludwig von Buchholtz revisions to the Wood–Bőÿe map and the Civil War

Within a short time after it was published in 1826, John Wood’s and Herman Bőÿe’s map became outdated. The population growth of Virginia in the…

Peter NorthMay 19, 2025