Special Collections & University Archives
Search Special CollectionsHoursMonday - Friday: LocationThe Special Collections is located on the east side of the Library at the front of the 3rd floor. Contact InformationPatricia W. & J. Douglas Perry Library |
Manuscripts CollectionsSpecial Collections contains more than fifty manuscript collections that include correspondence, diaries, legislative and mayoral files, campaign files, family papers, scrapbooks, photographs, business papers, and legal files. Strengths of the collections include materials related to African-American history, The Civil War, local history, Norfolk school desegregation, politics, military history, and Women’s history. The following collections are arranged alphabetically. The descriptions following each collections include brief biographical information of the persons or families represented, types of material included in the collections, and what information the material contains. The dates in parentheses indicate collection spans. Enclosed in brackets is call number. Click on the highlighted collections for a more detailed biography and a finding aid. CollectionsHoward B. Aison (1942-1963). Career Army. Served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Collection primarily relates to his service in these wars. Includes correspondence, photographs, citations, orders, diaries and recollections, unit histories, artifacts, and maps. Allen-Johnson Family Papers (1838-1942). Family resided in Maine. Contains correspondence, genealogical material, receipts, a ledger book, and newspapers clippings. American Association of University Women, Norfolk Branch (AAUW) (1902-1999). The AAUW is a national organization that promotes education and equity for all women and girls. The Norfolk Branch began as a college club in 1902, then joined the AAUW in 1921. The collection spans the years 1902 to 1999 and includes meeting minutes, annual reports, publications, information about branch activities and scrapbooks. Mason C. Andrews (1919-2006 ). Physician, former city council member and mayor of Norfolk. Served on Norfolk city council from 1974 to 2000 and as the city’s mayor from 1992-1994. Was instrumental in the development of the Eastern Virginia Medical School complex and the redevelopment of downtown Norfolk. The collection includes personal, business, and political papers spanning the years 1932-1997. Walter C. Ansel (1897-1977). Career Navy. Served in World War I and II. Retired from active service in 1949 with the rank of Rear Admiral. Collection deals primarily with his research on German operations during the Second World War resulting in two books, Hitler Confronts England and Hitler and the Middle Sea. Of note is extensive correspondence with German officers, many of which are in German. See guide to military history for similar collections. Peter K. Babalas (1943-1979). Represented the 5th District in the Virginia State Senate from 1967-1987. Collection primarily relates to his service in the State Senate from 1972-1979. See guide to political papers for similar collections. Eleanor J. Bader ( 1922- ). These papers chronicle the family and personal life, education, career, and community involvement of Eleanor J. Bader. Career includes work with the Delaware Curative Workshop, the National Easter Seal Society, and the Social Security Administration. Community involvment includes membership and volunteer work for the Virginia Opera, the Virginia Symphony, Cancer Care Foundation of Tidewater, WHRO, and many other professional and civic organizations in Virginia and Delaware. Materials in the collection include personal, religious, and professional certificates, awards, and licenses; business and civic papers; conference materials; correspondence; photos; and memorabilia from her life and travels. Benjamin A. Banks (1884-1974). Lawyer and prominent member of the Norfolk Jewish community. Served on the Norfolk Board of Aldermen (1908-1911) and in the Virginia House of Delegates (1911-1913). Active in local, state and national politics. Includes personal and political correspondence, scrapbooks, letters to the editor, and photographs. See guide to political papers for similar collections. Archie L. Boswell (1958-1960). Norfolk attorney. Represented the plaintiffs in the two cases initiated to reopen the Norfolk public schools closed to avoid integration, James v. Duckworth and James v. Almond. Includes correspondence, legal materials, notes, and background material. See guide to desegregation of the Norfolk Schools for similar collections. Buck Family Papers (1807-1850). Three letters constitute this collection. The letters are from Solomon Bachus of Granville County, New York, to his brother Herman Hyde of Essex, Vermont, (July 12, 1807); from Arabret Luckland of Bloomingdale to her cousin Louisa Buck of Westford, Vermont (May 24, 1846) and from Rosannah Chen(owitt) of Monroe, Wisconsin, to Miss Louisa Buck of Westford, Vermont (July 28, 1850). The first letter describes the failing health of a family member, slowly dying of cancer. Hugh Lee Butler (1871-1946). Served on the Norfolk City Council from 1902 to 1938. Papers relate to his service on the Norfolk City Council during the Great Depression and as chairman of Local Draft Board no. 1 during World War I. See guide to political papers for similar collections. Paul G. Caplan (1930 - 1990 circa). Norfolk pharmacist. Chaired the board of the Norfolk Port and Industrial Authority, which runs Norfolk International Terminals and the Norfolk International Airport, for thirteen years and was a board member from 1962 to 1987. Served on several political campaign committees, including those of Roy B. Martin and Stanley Walker. Was very active in civic affairs, including the Norfolk Junior Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Jaycees, United States Jaycees, Tidewater Chapter of the American Red Cross, Norfolk Jewish Community Council, and the Virginia Zoological and Aquarium Society. Edward G. Carson (1973 to 2004) Norfolk landscape architect and artist. Designed landscapes for buildings ranging from Webb Center to the bowling alley at a US Air Force base in Italy. The collection includes approximately three hundred oversized landscape plans, as well as a small number of photographs and written descriptions of landscape designs dated circa 1951 - 2004. John Paul Carter (1965 to 1997). Episcopal priest, active in Virginia Democratic Politics. Served on the Committee for Fair Redistricting, Airlie Foundation, and the Virginia Political Study Group. Was active in Henry Howell’s political campaigns. The collection includes papers on political issues in Virginia during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Vivian Carter-Mason (1900-1982). Founding member of the Women’s Council for Interracial Cooperation and an active participant in the Civil Rights movement. Contains transcripts and audiotapes of an interview that documents her life and the Civil Rights movement in Norfolk. See Women’s Council for Interracial Cooperation below. See guide to desegregation of the Norfolk Schools for similar collections. Clan MacLeod Society of the United States of America (ca. 1800 - 2009). A Scottish genealogical and historical society. Includes minutes, proceedings and business papers for the organization. Cook Family Papers (1872-1976). Prominent family of Norfolk for many years. Traces its ancestry to Richard Blow, a dominant figure in the business life of 18th and 19th century Virginia. Occupied the famed Boush-Waller-Tazewell House of Norfolk. Bulk of collection consists of the papers of Allen M. Cook and documents the development of subdivisions in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, and the career of a naval officer from 1899 to 1919. Includes business papers, financial documents, diaries, correspondence, scrapbooks, and newspaper clippings. Of note are the minutes and proceedings of the Princess Anne and Norfolk Mutual Building and Loan Association. Dudley Cooper ( 1924 to 1978). First college-trained optometrist to practice in Norfolk. Owner of Ocean View Amusement Park. Includes correspondence, photographs, legal documents, financial material, brochures, advertisements, news release, and newspaper clippings primarily relating to the operation of Ocean View Park. Minette Cooper Has been active in the cultural and educational communities of Hampton Roads including the Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads, the Virginia Symphony, the Ohef Sholom Temple, the Norfolk Commission on Arts and Humanities, Virginians for the Arts, Young Audiences of Virginia, the Future of Hampton Roads, Virginia Wesleyan College, the Institute for Southern Jewish Life, the Chrysler Museum, the Upward Bound Program at Norfolk State University, the YWCA of South Hampton Roads, and the Jewish Community Center of Tidewater. This collection contains programs of the Virginia Squires basketball team from 1970 to 1976 and Young Audiences correspondence. [MG 107] Lawrence M. Cox (1940-1990 circa). Served as the Executive Director of the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NHRA) from 1941-1969 and, thereafter, as Assistant Secretary for Renewal and Housing Assistance in the Department of Housing and Urban Development during Nixon’s administration. Collection chiefly consists of the records accumulated during his service with the NHRA and HUD. Michael D’Orso (1993-1995). Writer for the Virginia Pilot Newspaper, author of 13 nonfiction books. This collection contains D’Orso’s notes and research material collected while writing Like Judgment Day: The Ruin and Redemption of a Town Called Rosewood. The collection includes interview tapes and transcripts, photographs, newspaper clippings, and other research materials. Elizabeth Calvert Page Dabney (1812-1943). This collection contains diaries, personal accounts, certificates, proceedings, receipts, literary magazines, and newspapers documenting the family history of Ms. Dabney. For more information see the Guides to Civil War Collections and Local History. Allan G. Donn Papers (1961 - 1970). Contains court documents and a research paper related to school desegregation in Prince Edward County, Norfolk and Richmond, Virginia and North Carolina. The court documents relate to Cocheyse J. Griffin v. County School Board of Prince Edward County and Swan v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Doughty Family Papers (1855-1904). Letters, paid receipts and household ledgers belonging to William Polk Fitchett, Eastern Shore plantation owner, and his family. Desegregation of Virginia Education The collection contains materials dated mainly from the early 1950s through the 1960s and 70s but also houses materials from the 21st Century related to the 50th Anniversary of the End of Massive Resistance. The collection also focuses on events, legal cases, media coverage, and photographs of desegregation in Virginia. Specific regions represented in the collection are the City of Norfolk, Prince Edward County, Farmville, Charlottesville and the Eastern Shore of Virginia. [MG 104] William Fred Duckworth (1940s to 1970s). Mayor of Norfolk (1950-1962). Collection consists of memorabilia, photographs, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, and artifacts relating to his political, business and civic activities. Finlay Forbes Ferguson (1812-1975). A Norfolk architect. Descendant of longtime Norfolk family. Consists of papers concerning the restoration of the Willoughby-Baylor House and family papers documenting the history of Norfolk since the nineteenth century. Includes correspondence, business papers, ledgers, deeds, genealogical material, newspapers, newspaper clippings, and photographs. Noteworthy is material relating to New York Life’s payment of insurance claims after intercourse between the United States and Confederacy was declared unlawful in 1861. Florence Crittenton Home of Norfolk (1894-1973). Established in 1894 to respond to the needs of unwed mothers and their children. Contains the institutional records of the home during their eighty years service to Norfolk. Includes histories, business and financial records, studies, reports, memorials, testimonials, correspondence, scrapbooks, and newspapers clippings. Restricted in part. Charles H. Ford (1983 to 2010). Dr. Charles Ford is an interim associate dean and history professor at Norfolk State University. His collection includes material on Ford's research on African American history and gay cultural and activist groups, primarily the Tidewater AIDS Community Task Force. These materials include correspondence, brochures, convention booklets, financial records, minutes, reports, promotional materials, a corporation agreement, invitations, cards, DVDs featuring lectures given by Dr. Ford, documents created by organizations, and articles from newspapers and magazines. Hiram Glazier (1861 -1862). Contains copies of letters, dated 1861-1863, sent to and from friends and family during the Civil War. Edythe C. Harrison (1970-1980 circa). Member of the Virginia House of Delegates (1979-1982), founder and president of the Virginia Opera Association, and unsuccessful candidate for United States Senator in 1984 against incumbent Republican, Senator John Warner. The first woman in Virginia nominated by the Democratic Party for statewide office. Collection primarily relates to her activities in politics and the 1984 Senatorial campaign. See guide to political papers for similar collections. James Bertram Haugh (1975-1978). Old Dominion University Sociology Professor. Received his Ph.D. from the University of Akron in 1978. Author of the book, "Power and Influence in a Southern City." Based on his doctoral thesis, the book explores the power structure of a "Colonial City", which is actually the city of Norfolk, Virginia. The Collection relates mainly to his thesis. It includes rough drafts, notes, tapes and transcripts of interviews with prominent Norfolk figures in 1978. Edward F. Hewins (1856-1957). Relates primarily to the donor’s father Captain Charles E. Hewins (1841-1927), a Union soldier who settled in Hampton, Virginia after the war. Contains correspondence, and Civil War military papers documenting his activities in the Civil War and Reconstruction. Hodges Family Papers (1754-1979). Correspondence, newspaper clippings, genealogical information, scrapbook materials, photographs. Collection primarily focuses on General John Hodges, William H. H. Hodges, and Colonel James Gregory Hodges. Henry E. Howell, Jr. (1948-1997). Served in the General Assembly and as Lieutenant Governor (1971-1973). Unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Virginia three times (1969, 1973,1977). Bulk of the collection deals with his career in politics, first in Norfolk and, after 1968, on the statewide level. Documents Democratic Party affairs from 1948 through 1977. Also includes promotional audio and video clips created as part of Howell's campaigns for the Virginia governorship in 1969, 1973 and 1977. Included are radio and television advertisements, speeches and scripted television broadcasts. Finding aid available from Library of Virginia. Robert Morton Hughes (1855-1940). Contains personal and political correspondence regarding his legal practice, involvement in Virginia politics and his activities in support of education. Had longtime association with the College of William and Mary, served on the State Board of Education and the Board of Directors of the Norfolk Public Library. Significant aspect of this collection is the papers of his family, Governor John B. Floyd, General Joseph E. Johnston, and Judge Robert W. Hughes, important public figures before, during, and after the Civil War. Other papers of these prominent individuals can be found in the Special Collections of the College of William and Mary. Collection of The Independent Correspondence and Other Materials (1680-1936). Primarily comprised of correspondence of William Hayes Ward, editor of The Independent, a New York Congregationalist weekly, with notable literary and historical figures including General John Charles Frémont, American explorer and expedition leader; P. T. Barnum, showman; and Asa Gray, the preeminent American botanist of the 19th century. Other items in the collection include American literature and theater papers; colonial historical manuscripts and documents; and correspondence with the library of Norfolk division of the College of William and Mary (the predecessor of Old Dominion University). 1907 Jamestown Exposition Photographs. Consists of 21 photographs (14 mounted for exhibit purposes) that depict the Jamestown Exposition of 1907, the tercentennial of the settlement at Jamestown in 1607. The tercentennial was held in Norfolk, Virginia on land that is now part of the Norfolk Naval Base. 1907 Jamestown Exposition, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (1907-1908). Consists of material related to the first Episcopal Church in North America, which was exhibited in the 1907 Exposition. Augustus C. Johnson (1970-2000). Writer for "The Northern Virginia Sun". A collection of columns written by Johnson from September 1970 through December 1971. The columns relate primarily to the politics of Virginia’s 10th congressional district. Personalities discussed in them include Joel T. Broyhill, Henry E. Howell, George Rawlings, Harry F. Byrd, Jr., William B. Spong, Linwood Holton and Mills Godwin. League of Women Voters of Hampton Roads (1956-1999). Includes handbooks, correspondence, newsletters, agendas, minutes, membership lists, and financial records. Contains information on the action program, education fund, speakers bureau, voters service, and studies on various issues. See the Guide to Women’s History for similar collections. Captain Samuel J. Major Collection (1861-1865). Documents the activities of the Left Wing, Army of the Potomac, in November and December, 1863 during the Civil War. Includes correspondence, orders, dispatches, and operation reports. McCurdy Historical Tapes Collection (1977-1979). Dennis McCurdy was a radio news broadcaster for WPMH News and Public Affairs. Contains reel to reel audiotapes of interviews, speeches, and events regarding politics. See guide to political papers for similar collections. Thomas R. McNamara (1925-). Served in the Virginia General Assembly as a member of the House of Delegates (1968-1971) and the Senate (1972-1976). Consists of records of his service in the General Assembly, 1968-1976, including publications of state agencies and correspondence as member of the State Water Control Board. See guide to political papers for similar collections. The Massive Resistance Printed Materials (1958-1960). Consists of 2 boxes of regional and national newspaper clippings covering the “Massive Resistance” movement and public reaction to the de-segregation and subsequent closing of some of Norfolk’s public schools. Also discussed are state and local politicians such as Governor Lindsay Almond, Jr., who ordered the closing the Norfolk schools that enrolled African American students, and Mayor William Fred Duckworth, who opposed de-segregating the public schools. Some of the clippings discuss the fate of those students whose graduation was put in jeopardy by the school closing, known as "The Lost Class of ’59." Beverly Randolph Middleton (1928-1996). Engineer and Virginia State Delegate. Served three terms in the Virginia House of Delegates. Most of the collection pertains to his political career. Also included is material related to his days as a student athlete at Norview High School and VPI. Zelda J. Miller (1951-1963). Zelda J. Miller was a teacher at Robert E. Lee School in Norfolk, Virginia during the 1950’s and 1960’s. The material consists entirely of historical, civic and tourist information about the Hampton Roads area. Neff, David P. Dr. Neff has been a professor of History at Tidewater Community College, Virginia Beach Campus since 1994 as well as an adjunct professor of History at Old Dominion University in Norfolk and Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. The collection contains documents used by Dr. Neff during the development of his master’s thesis, “The Defenders of State Sovereignty and Individual Liberties, 1954-1967.” [MG 101] Norfolk Forum (1935-2004). Established in 1932, the Norfolk Forum is believed to be the oldest nonprofit, public lecture series in the U.S. The collection includes Forum business, history, events and event programs, speaker bios, promotional materials, photographs, oral histories, and video tapes of some of the speakers. Norfolk Museum of Natural History Collection (undated). Includes 144 photographs that depict the museum’s exhibits, staff, special functions, and activities. Norfolk Nineteen Nineteen Photographic Collection (1919). A portfolio of 46 prints that depict small shop owners and employees of businesses in Norfolk, Virginia in 1919. Also, includes a study written by Dr. Peter Stewart, an Old Dominion University History Professor and local historian, that examines what Norfolk was like in 1919. This study is located in the collection’s control folder. Norfolk Public Schools Desegregation Papers (1922-2008). This collection primarily contains material related to the integration of the Norfolk public schools. The papers include correspondence, court cases, school board resolutions, inter-district memorandum, press releases, reports, news clippings and district maps. Subjects covered are the 1958 school closing to prevent integration, integration progress in the 1960s, busing to achieve integration in the 1970s and the end of busing in the mid-1980s. Among the most important historical materials is correspondence between Governor Lindsay Almond and the School Administration, beginning with the letter ordering the closing of six Norfolk schools in as mandated by the "Massive Resistance" law. Other letters during this time period discuss allowing groups to meet in those schools as long as the schools would not be used for educational purposes. The donated material also includes school directories from 1922 -1990 and school calendars from 1952 - 2008. Our Own Community Press (1977-1998). A collection of 15 bound volumes that represent 21 years of the paper’s existence. The paper started in 1976 as a newsletter for the Unitarian-Universalist Gay Caucus of Norfolk and grew into an institution in the Hampton Roads community. When the paper folded in 1998, it was one of the country’s oldest gay newspapers. Owen-Fitzgerald Scrapbook and Autograph Book ( ca 1865 - 1953). A scrapbook of clippings of newspaper clippings with religious themes and an autograph book, both kept by Exilia Owen (Mrs. Alexander H. Fitzgerald). George Conoly Phillips (1942-1978). Norfolk City Council member. Served as President of the United Drug Abuse Council and was active in the Inter-Christian Fellowship, the Christian Broadcasting Network, and the United Community Fund. Documents his activities in politics, business and civic affairs. Thomas Joseph Reilly (1915-1976). Political correspondent for the Norfolk Ledger-Star and Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch for 26 years. Primarily newspaper columns from the Ledger-Star and background material used to research articles. See guide to political papers for similar collections. Colonel James W. Roberts (1891-1977). President and chairman of Henry B. Gilprin, a wholesale drug firm. Served in the General Assembly from 1948-1968, holding a powerful position on the Appropriations Committee. Served on the Norfolk Planning Commission. Collection principally contains legislative correspondence from 1963-1964. See guide to political papers for similar collections. Robert M. Rose (1809 to 1947). Business records and personal correspondence of four Norfolk families. Focal point is the papers of Commander Robert M. Rose. Schola Cantorum (1995 - 2007). Organizational papers, programs and posters from Norfolk choral music choir. Edward L. Schrock (1941-). Served on the U.S. House of Representative for the 2nd Congressional District of Virginia from January 2001 to January 2005. His political and voting record is aligned closely with the Republican Party. Materials in this collection date from 1999 to 2004. They include constituent feedback in the form of letters, postcards, surveys, and public opinion ballots. Also included are other correspondence and reference material related to various issues and legislation and materials related to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business. Paul T. Schweitzer (1903-1976). Norfolk businessman and member of the Norfolk School Board (1952-1960) and City Council (1960-1968) during the Massive Resistance crisis. Includes correspondence, legal documents, newspapers clippings, scrapbooks and photographs that primarily document his activities during Norfolk’s desegregation crisis. See guide to desegregation of the Norfolk Schools for similar collections. Kenneth G. Servais and Donald E. Terrill (1814-1847). Primarily business correspondence about banking and other financial transactions. W. B. Shafer, Jr. (1895-1990). Long time Norfolk native. Made his fortune in real estate and spent his life promoting humanitarian and idealistic causes. Ran unsuccessfully for Norfolk City Council in 1928 and 1966 and lost a bid for the House of Representatives in 1944. Honorary member of the Veterans of Foreign Affairs in recognition for his successful push to have bonuses paid to World War I veterans. Author of 3 Books That Made the South And 1000 Millionaires and 10 Billionaires, Go South Young Man, and Go South Where God Still Lives. Bought newspaper space to promote his projects and ideas. Includes correspondence, copies of The Spotlight, newspaper clippings, rough drafts of his writings, and photographs. James W. Singleton (1811-1892). Prominent Peace Democrat from Illinois during the Civil War. Served in the United States House of Representatives (1879-1883). Contains family papers spanning five generations, dating from 1770 to 1975. Includes correspondence, business papers, military papers, newspaper clippings, and photographs. Eloise Word Skewis Collection (1777-1914). This collection includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, receipts, statement of accounts, currency, bonds, and indentures. Of note is genealogical material that relate to the Claiborne and Kilby families of Virginia. A.E.S Stephens (1900-1973). Served in both the House of Delegates (1929-1941) and the State Senate (1941-1952), and as Lieutenant Governor (1952-1961). Ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1961 against Albertis Harrison. Centers around this unsuccessful campaign and contains papers focusing on the issue of Massive Resistance to integration, dating to the early 1950s. See guide to political papers and guide to desegregation of the Norfolk Schools for similar collections. Michael J. Stolee (ca 1952 - 1993). Contains material related to Stolee’s work as an expert witness in 68 school desegregation cases in the US including Norfolk. Stolee helped to design Norfolk 1971 school busing plan.The material includes the court proceedings, testimony, newspaper clippings, photographs, invoices and correspondence as well as his narrative of some of the cases. Strauss Family Papers (1839-1938). Collected by Arnold F. Strauss. Includes personal correspondence, diaries and journals, documents and business papers belonging to the German-Jewish Strauss family. Among the papers are many belonging to Arthur F. Strauss, a respected and successful doctor in Barmen, Germany. He was also a well known poet, art collector, and painter, closely aligned with German Expressionism. German language materials predominate. Samuel Leyens Switzer (1896-1960). Department store owner in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Includes correspondence, literary productions, legal documents, newspaper and magazine clippings, maps, memorabilia and photographs, the bulk of which dates from 1911-1920. Collection amply documents his service as an artillery officer in World War I. Of note are maps of Europe detailing battle positions and troop movements in World War I. See guide to military history for similar collections. Bertha Fanning Taylor (1883-1980). Came to Norfolk in 1945 as Curator of the Sloane Collection at the Heritage Foundation Museum. Taught art courses at the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary until 1951. Includes literary productions, printed materials, correspondence, photographs, memorabilia, scrapbooks, and charts. A wealth of information in art and art forms is available in the collection. In addition to the artistic significance of the papers, the collection documents the history of Norfolk, especially in the arts. Calvert Walke Tazewell (1917-2002). Retired USAF lieutenant colonel, author, publisher, local historian. The collection includes papers from Tazewell’s years as President of the Norfolk Historical Society and Virginia History Federation. Also included is information on the Boush-Tazewell-Waller House and papers of Philip Brower, former archivist of the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk. Brower’s papers include research on General Douglas MacArthur, personal papers and papers regarding the MacArthur Memorial Archives. Printed Materials of the Tidewater History Collection (1795-1982). Consists of newspaper clippings, whole newspapers, magazines, and pamphlets related to Hampton Roads facts, history, events, government, culture and the military, with emphasis on the city of Norfolk. Rosemary Thornton (1914-2005). Small collection of catalogs and documents from kit-house manufacturers such as Sears, Roebuck and Company, and papers that Thornton accumulated during her search for kit-houses in the United States. The contents of the collection include catalogs, photographs, and estimates from kit-house manufacturers, along with letters, photographs, newspaper clippings, and e-mails received and sent by Thornton. Transatlantic Cable (1858-1959). Small collection of items related to the Atlantic Ocean: A framed segment of cable used in the first transatlantic telegraph connection, 1858; a document certifying the cable’s authenticity; a photograph of the USCG ship Marmer, 1959 and an undated photograph of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s ship Discoverer. Admiral John Randolph Tucker (1812-1883). Commander in the United States, Confederate States and Peruvian Navy. Papers deal primarily with his service as president of the Peruvian Hydrographical Commission of the Amazon. Spanish language materials predominate. United Community Fund (1923-1953). Formerly known as the Norfolk Community Fund, United War Fund, Community Chest, and Community Fund. Includes minutes from 1923 to 1953, reports from the Board of Trustees and various committees, collection and distribution statements, memorandums, outgoing correspondence, and scrapbooks. Volume I: minutes for the Norfolk Community Fund (1923-1928); Volume II: minutes for the Norfolk Community Fund (1929-1933); Volume III: minutes for the Norfolk Community Fund (1934-1938); Volume IV: minutes for the Norfolk Community Fund and the United War Fund (1939-1945); Volume V: minutes for the United War Fund, Community Chest, and Community Fund (1946-1953). Scrapbooks are for the years: 1938, 1941-1943, 1966-1970. Index of minute books available in archives. U.S. S. Vulcan (1941-1984). Navy repair vessel. Served in both the European and Pacific theaters during World War II. Participated in the Occupation of Japan (1945-1946) and the Dominican Republic intervention (1965). Contains historical material, memorabilia, crew member recollections, press releases, newspaper clippings, and photographs. See guide to military history for similar collections. Virginia House of Delegates (1982). Contains 78 ¾ inch videotapes dating from January 13 to March 13, 1982, of the House of Delegates in session. Virginia Opera (1974-2007). Consists of Virginia Opera programs, guides, newspaper clippings, magazine articles. Also includes organizational documents, correspondence, audio-visual materials, bumper stickers, pins, aprons, and posters. Virginia Symphony Archives. This collection is made up of the papers of four different, but interrelated organizations related to the Virginia Symphony.
Virginia Tidewater Dental Association (1880 - 1962). Small collection that consists of a Minute book, membership list and correspondence of a dental association in Norfolk and Portsmouth. Also has a short history of the Norfolk Webster family of dentists. Stanley C. Walker (1923-2001). Served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1964 to 1971, and has been a State Senator since 1972. Papers chiefly relate to his service in the General Assembly, notably his service as Chairman of the State Crime Commission. See guide to political papers for similar collections. Dr. Forrest P. White (1952-1963). Pediatrician in Norfolk. Played central role in formation of Norfolk Committee for Public Schools, which opposed the closing of the city’s public schools during the desegregation crisis. Bulk of the material concerns the desegregation of Norfolk’s public schools. See guide to political papers and guide to desegregation of the Norfolk Schools for similar collections. Forrest R. "Hap’’ White Tapes (1975-1991). Former Budget Director for the Norfolk Public Schools. Fourteen untranscribed cassette tapes contain interviews White conducted with politicians, journalists, police and other city officials from 1975 – 1991 as background for his ODU doctoral dissertation, "School desegregation and urban renewal" and 1992 book, “Pride and Prejudice: School Desegregation and Urban Renewal in Norfolk, 1950-1959”. J. Warren White (1950-1979). Represented Norfolk in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1962 to 1979. Includes legislative correspondence, records, and reference material relating to his service in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1974 to 1979. See guide to political papers for similar collections. Margaret White (1953-1976). Taught in the Norfolk school system off and on since 1930. Involved in struggle to reopen the public schools during the integration crisis. CBS television documentary, "The Lost Class of ’59" recorded her efforts. Correspondence and printed material, the bulk of which dates from 1959-1964, chiefly relates to the CBS documentary. Member of the Norfolk Committee for Public Schools. See guide to desegregation of the Norfolk Schools for similar collections. G. William Whitehurst (1969-1986). Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia’s Second District in 1968. Member of the House Armed Services Committee, Committee on Intelligence and Ethics Committee. Consists of nineteen bound Congressional dairies spanning from 1969 to 1986. Six scrap books consisting of newspaper clippings, magazines, pictures and other documents relating to Doctor William Whitehurst’s tenure in the House of Representatives. Thom Williamson (1833-1918). Engineer in United States Navy from 1853 until 1912, when he was relieved from active duty as a Chief Engineer with the rank of Rear Admiral. During the Civil War he served on the U.S. S. Hartford, the flagship of Rear Admiral David Farragut, and was present at the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864. Collection consists of general correspondence, naval correspondence, diaries, and military papers from his service in the navy. George Withers (1911-1959). This collection contains artwork by George Withers primarily related to World War II. It includes posters, copies of illustrations for military publications, letters, and an Army personnel appointment notice. An illustration of the battle on Guadalcanal for “Army Talks” magazine is included, along with an illustration from Combat Orientation. Letters of thanks from General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Lucius Clay as well as an article about an exhibit of Withers’ work at the Walt Whitman Birthplace Museum on Long Island are enclosed. Women’s Council for Interracial Cooperation (1945-1960). Founded in 1945 as an interracial organization designed to address concerns with education, health, and housing among the Afro-American community in Norfolk. Predecessor to the Norfolk Human Relations Council. Includes correspondence, newspapers clippings, minutes, reports, pamphlets, and membership lists. Bulk of the organization’s records are in the archives at Norfolk State University. See guide to desegregation of the Norfolk Schools for similar collections. Joseph D. Wood (1867-1959). President of the Wood Towing Company (Tugboats). Served on the Norfolk City Council (1926-1930, 1934-1944) and as Mayor (1940-1944) during World War II. Collection contains business papers, mayoral files, correspondence and the papers of his service on the Elizabeth River Tunnel Commission. See guide to political papers for similar collections. World Affairs Council of Greater Hampton Roads (1968-2004). Includes the records of a local World Affairs Council founded in 1969. The organization’s statement of purpose states that "The World Affairs Council of Greater Hampton Roads is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational organization that promotes a greater understanding and interest in international affairs." The collection includes business papers, information on programs put on by the group, meeting minutes, photos, and correspondence. YWCA of Hampton Roads (1919-1996). The YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) is the oldest and largest women’s membership organization. The YWCA of South Hampton Roads first started as housing for working girls in 1893. Throughout their history, the YWCA chapters of Hampton Roads have advanced their purposes of empowering women and fighting racism by running women’s shelters, camps, workshops, and various other programs. The collection consists mainly of photos, scrapbooks, and newspaper clippings, as well as some business and historical records of the organization. Revised: 2/18/2013 |