Thomas Jefferson (President and Governor)

What’d I Miss?: Diving Deeper into the History Behind Hamilton

While Lin Manuel Miranda’s blockbuster musical hit Hamilton takes some artistic liberties with our American Colonial past, there is a lot of history packed into…

Library of VirginiaJuly 1, 2020

Archives Digital Projects

Early Albemarle County Judgments to be Transcribed and Placed on Virginia Untold

For those who enjoy the art and intricacy of transcribing historical documents, the Library of Virginia is pleased to announce that a selection of Albemarle…

Tracy HarterJune 24, 2020

Education & Programming Manuscripts & Special Collections The Stacks Virginia Authors

Eliza House Trist & Thomas Jefferson: A Friendship and a Woman’s Journal of Westward Exploration

Editor's Note: The Library of Virginia, in partnership with Virginia Humanities, sponsors residential fellows during the academic year to conduct in-depth research in the Library's…

Karen ChaseJanuary 8, 2020

Archives Manuscripts & Special Collections

Statue Stories: George Washington’s Statue of the Deathless Name

This post is Part 2 in a sometimes series about the statues of Virginia's Capitol Square. See Part 1 here. "In his quiet Roman workshop…

Meghan TownesDecember 13, 2019

Archives

It Came From YouTube!: the State Records Film Collection

Have you ever been curious about the birds who call Virginia home? Or wanted to explore the history of Richmond? Or maybe take a closer…

Paige NealOctober 11, 2017

Education & Programming Newspapers

Old Time Religion: Virginia’s First Freedom and LVA’s Religious Press Collection

The current exhibit at the Library of Virginia, First Freedom: Virginia’s Statute for Religious Freedom, explores the meaning and evolution of this significant legislation. Written…

Kelley EwingAugust 3, 2016

Archives

Be Our Guest: French’s Tavern in Powhatan County

French’s Tavern, located in Powhatan County, was a prominent 19th century inn and ordinary that served travelers on the Old Buckingham Road, an important thoroughfare linking…

Catherine OBrionJune 8, 2016

Newspapers

His pistols within his reach: the volatile history of the Examiner

The Examiner, published semi-weekly in Richmond, Virginia from 1798 to 1804, held a prominent place in the incendiary world of early American politics. An organ for…

Anne McCreryApril 13, 2016

Archives Conservation

First Freedom: Virginia’s Statute for Religious Freedom

The official enrolled parchment of 16 January 1786, An Act for Establishing Religious Freedom, is one of the most important archival records preserved in the…

Brent TarterApril 13, 2016

Archives Education & Programming

“Let Jews, Mehometans, and Christians of every Denomination Enjoy Religious Liberty”

Religious liberty is a hot button issue during this year’s presidential campaign. Should a religious test be applied for the purpose of denying Muslims entrance…

Greg CrawfordMarch 30, 2016

Archives

“Lafayette, we are here!”

Twenty years ago, a small group of businessmen and former diplomats conceived a plan to build an authentic replica of the French frigate Hermione, the…

Sandra TreadwayMay 27, 2015

The Stacks

Remembering Craig Moore, 1971-2013

Craig Moore, State Records Appraisal Archivist, died on August 13 after a lengthy battle with cancer. While long time readers of Out of the Box will know Craig from…

Roger ChristmanAugust 22, 2013

Conservation

See Jefferson’s Papers Conserved!

The Executive Papers of Governor Thomas Jefferson, 1779-1781, have been named one of Virginia’s top ten endangered artifacts by the Virginia Association of Museums. The letters…

Bari HelmsDecember 12, 2011

Archives

"Have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!"

The wool of Merino sheep was highly prized and for centuries the flocks were not allowed to be exported from their home in Spain. One…

Chris KolbeDecember 7, 2011

Archives Conservation

Preservation of Jefferson’s Papers in the News

In case you missed it, the Library of Virginia’s conservation of the gubernatorial papers of Thomas Jefferson was featured in Style Weekly. The letters and manuscripts documenting…

Bari HelmsAugust 17, 2011