Joanne Porter – The UncommonWealth

Archives

It’s a Tram Shame: A Spotsylvania County Petition

In 1906, Thomas M. Henry of Sewickley, Pennsylvania, had a grand idea. He would build a road to carry an electric tram from Fredericksburg to…

Joanne PorterMay 9, 2018

Archives

Not If You Were The Last Man On Earth!: Virginia’s Board of Censors

The Virginia Board of Censors (1922–1966), later the Division of Motion Picture Censorship, was tasked with identifying obscene, indecent, and immoral scenes in motion pictures.…

Joanne PorterOctober 5, 2017

Manuscripts & Special Collections

The Art of Mapping War

New ideas are sometimes birthed out of tragedies. In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill passed by both houses of Congress authorizing an ambitious…

Joanne PorterNovember 18, 2015

Archives Digital Projects

Spotsylvania County Chancery Causes Online

The Library of Virginia is pleased to announce that digital images for Spotsylvania County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1812-1913, are now available online through the Chancery…

Joanne PorterApril 24, 2015

Archives

We Know What’s Best For You: The Virginia Division of Motion Picture Censorship

From 1922 to 1966, the Virginia Division of Motion Picture Censorship was responsible for reviewing all motion picture films and their associated advertising materials– banners,…

Joanne PorterJanuary 22, 2015

Archives

Paint Your Wagon

A chancery case from Frederick County looked like any other business dispute except for a unique item presented as an exhibit. Columbia Wagon Company vs. John…

Joanne PorterApril 23, 2014

Archives

From Russia Without Love

It has been said that there is a thin line between love and hate, and apparently love and obsession. Or so appears to be the…

Joanne PorterNovember 13, 2013

Archives

The Lure

When creating a who’s who list of the early days of film, the list is dominated by men – Cecil B. De Mille, D. W.…

Joanne PorterJuly 31, 2013

Archives

The Petition of Araminta Frances

In court documents from Lunenburg County Chancery Cause 1856-042, the petition of Araminta Frances reveals an interesting and life-changing request. On 10 March 1856 Araminta…

Joanne PorterJune 19, 2013

Archives

"This is a bad fix I am in…"

Three Highland County Commonwealth Causes (Barcode 0007281802) reveal a tangled web of conspiracy, murder, and secret affairs. The cast of players includes Elizabeth Sheridan, wife of the…

Joanne PorterMarch 21, 2012

Archives

Broken Vows

In 1913, Mary Ella Gray stated in a deposition that she moved to her parents’ home in Fredericksburg after her husband James “continuously abused me,…

Joanne PorterSeptember 8, 2010