Washington and Lee University
Location: Leyburn Library, Lower Level 1.
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Monday - Friday throughout the year. Except for holidays and vacations. To be sure our department is open, please call 540-458-8663.
Reference assistance available during all hours of operation.
Special Collections materials may not be checked out but are available for examination and research in the Edgar A. Basse, Jr. Special Collections Reading Room.
Photocopying in limited quantities available at 15 cents per page; 40 cents for color copies. Document scanning available for $10 per item.
Personal cameras, scanners, and laptops are allowed to be used in the Reading Room.
Exhibits in the adjacent Boatwright Room are on view during opening hours. We also have a display case in the Level 1 Lobby with rotating exhibits.
University Archives
Examples of our holdings are: Washington and Lee University publications including
the Calyx, Alumni Magazine, Ring-tum Phi, Trident, Shenandoah, Ariel and a
large number of other W&L publications past and present; Faculty and Alumni
publications; materials relating to W&L's history including Trustee's
records; and student honors theses.
Manuscripts
Highlights of our holdings include the Robert E. Lee Papers, the Jessie Ball
dupont Papers, the George West Diehl genealogical collection, and the Papers
of Congressman William Whitehurst. We have numerous collections pertaining
to the history of Washington and Lee University. We have the holdings of the
Rockbridge Historical Society, a wealth of material on the history of Rockbridge
County.
Rare Books
The collection is especially strong in Virginia state and local history and
family genealogical history as well as books about Robert E. Lee, George Washington
and other historical figures important to W&L and the local area. Surviving
volumes from Liberty Hall Academy and the nineteenth century Franklin Society
Library are held. Other volumes important for their age or content, including
works by local authors, are held.
Special Collections also holds a large number of maps and photographs historically significant for Washington and Lee and Rockbridge County.
Many of the holdings in Special Collections are listed in our Library Catalog, but some are not. If you do not find what you are looking for, stop by or call Special Collections for reference assistance.
Vaughan Stanley, Special Collections
Librarian (x8649)
Lisa McCown, Senior Special Collections Assistant (x8663)
Seth McCormick-Goodhart, Special Collections Assistant (x8663)
Edna Milliner, Special Collections Assistant (x8663)