Library of Virginia – Page 3 – The UncommonWealth

Dress Codes: The Work of Women in World War II

When Liza Mundy’s book Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II was published in October 2017, one…

Library of VirginiaSeptember 23, 2022

“Descendants of a Woman of Indian Extraction”: The Story of Rachel Findley

Rachel Findley was a mother. She was a grandmother. She was a Virginian. She was also enslaved. The law defined Rachel as property. Because Rachel…

Library of VirginiaAugust 31, 2022

Digital Projects Education & Programming

The Right to Ramble

Next month, the Common Ground History Book Group, LVA’s virtual non-fiction book club, will return for a discussion with Kathryn Miles, author of Trailed: One…

Library of VirginiaAugust 26, 2022

Archives Digital Projects

Albemarle County (Va.) Chancery Causes Are Now Available Online!

The Library of Virginia is pleased to announce that digital images for the Albemarle County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1768-1850, are now available online through the…

Library of VirginiaAugust 17, 2022

Education & Programming Virginia Authors

The Perennial Past

Suzanne Stryk views her assemblages as more than just art. In the preface to her book The Middle of Somewhere: An Artist Explores the Nature…

Library of VirginiaJune 24, 2022

Digital Projects Education & Programming

Civic Season 2022

The Library of Virginia is excited to partner with Made by Us, a coalition of history museums, archives, historical societies, and civic education organizations, in…

Library of VirginiaJune 15, 2022

Education & Programming Highlights Virginia Authors

The Lost Appalachian Trail

The earliest people to hike the Appalachian Trail in Virginia did not have the same experience as those walking it today. In fact, for those…

Library of VirginiaMay 20, 2022

Virginia Authors

“She still lives through those to whom she gave her life.”

For the majority of United States' existence as a nation, the focus of academic history has been on the actions and achievements of educated, well-to-do…

Library of VirginiaApril 20, 2022

Reopening the Case of the Petersburg and Isle of Wight Commonwealth Causes

Although many years have passed since Local Records staff completed the processing of Isle of Wight County (Va.) Commonwealth Causes Ended, 1774-1937 and the city…

Library of VirginiaApril 6, 2022

Education & Programming Virginia Authors

Naming Our Common Ground

In A Brave and Cunning Prince, James Horn questions accepted narratives regarding 17th-century Virginia as he traces the life of Opechancanough, the brother of Chief…

Library of VirginiaMarch 18, 2022

Education & Programming

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…

Library of VirginiaFebruary 25, 2022

Education & Programming Virginia Authors

“Will your stock or your children carry off prizes at the Fair…?”

“Will your stock or your children carry off prizes at the Fair this fall, or will both?” This is the question asked in the 1923…

Library of VirginiaFebruary 18, 2022

Education & Programming

History is Evergreen and Ever-Evolving

In the historic Evergreen Cemetery, segregated resting place of many generations of Richmond’s Black families, lies the gravestone of Edward S. Brown. A visitor could…

Library of VirginiaJanuary 17, 2022

Manuscripts & Special Collections

10 Holiday Gifts Worth Time-Traveling For!

Everyone has a holiday gift guide now so here are our favorites from the 1956 Miller & Rhoads Christmas Catalog. Or if you don't care…

Library of VirginiaDecember 22, 2021

Virginia Authors

Ramping Up Local Food Consumption

A lot has changed in our food culture since Barbara Kingsolver first wrote her memoir about eating locally sourced food. The cultural movement to eat…

Library of VirginiaDecember 17, 2021