Posts – Page 40 – The UncommonWealth

Strong Men & Women in Virginia History Honored for Black History Month

African Americans and people of African descent have been a part of Virginia’s—and America’s—story since European colonization of the North American continent began. Yet the…

Mari JulienneFebruary 19, 2021

Archives

Colley’s Calling: Reconstruction-Era Richmonders in Africa

On 13 September 1886, an ill W. W. Colley returned to Richmond, Virginia, from Liberia, trying once again to outrun scandal. However, the month-long boat…

Jessi BennettFebruary 17, 2021

Archives

Seeking Justice for The Martinsville Seven

Editor's Note: The Governor issued a posthumous pardon for the Martinsville Seven on 31 August 2021. Last week marked the 70th anniversary of the February…

Roger ChristmanFebruary 10, 2021

Public Libraries

Public Library Spotlight: Rockbridge Regional Library System

Occasionally, we ask guest writers to share information or stories about researching in our collections, public library programming or activities, and other topics which Library…

Guest ContributorFebruary 8, 2021

Archives Newspapers

‘Recreational warriors’ of the Gridiron: The Olympia Football Squad

Since 1967, Americans have been gathering around their televisions at this time of year to watch the pugnacity and pageantry that is the National Football…

Vince BrooksFebruary 3, 2021

Archives Newspapers

Random Reference: Bicycling in the Time of Pandemics and Wars

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have noticed a steady increase in the number of people cycling in my neighborhood. Cycling has always…

Jennifer HuffFebruary 1, 2021

Archives Digital Projects

Virginia Untold: Joe of Nottoway County

The “Runaway Slaves” Records, 1791-1863, available at Virginia Untold: the African American Narrative, include reports, accounts, correspondence, court records, and receipts concerning expenses incurred by…

Greg CrawfordJanuary 27, 2021

Virginia Authors

New Books – January 2021

The Library of Virginia is now open by appointment only. During this initial reopening phase, researchers will be able to use the collections by appointment…

Donna PletcherJanuary 25, 2021

Archives

Short Stories from the Updated Hanover County Chancery Causes, 1831-1868.

For Local Records staff at the Library of Virginia, one of the few positive effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic has been the ability to…

Callie FreedJanuary 20, 2021

Newspapers

“More Americans Killed By Flu Than By Bullets”: Riding the Roller Coaster of the 1918–1919 Influenza Pandemic

As the world enters 2021, we continue to ride a roller coaster of news (and emotions) regarding the COVID-19 virus. Our smart phones provide almost…

John DealJanuary 13, 2021

The Stacks

No Alarms and Definitely No Heart Attacks: 7 Questions with Larry Rice

This is an entry in a series introducing LVA employees and exploring what they do day-to-day. If you are interested in what goes on behind…

Vince BrooksJanuary 11, 2021

Archives

Records of the Revolution: John Todd and the George Rogers Clark Illinois Expedition

As I was creating a finding aid for the Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts - George Rogers Clark Papers, Western Expedition Quartermaster Records, 1778-1784 (LVA…

Renee SavitsJanuary 6, 2021

Archives

Drooping, Slapping, and Clapping: Exercises from the Past

This is an entry in our “Random Reference” series, which features interesting discoveries made and reference questions answered by our Archives & Library Reference Services…

Lisa WehrmannJanuary 4, 2021

Virginia Authors

New Books – December 2020

The Library of Virginia is now open by appointment only. During this initial reopening phase, researchers will be able to use the collections by appointment…

Donna PletcherDecember 28, 2020

Archives Manuscripts & Special Collections Newspapers

Dear Santa: Using Library Collections to Explore a Life Well-Lived

Every year, as the air turns cold and memories of Thanksgiving turkey fade away, children begin the age-old tradition of penning a letter to Santa…

Vince BrooksDecember 23, 2020