They say that war makes for strange bedfellows, and the Battle of Fredericksburg was no exception. In 1862, three notable Americans – Clara Barton, “Angel…
Lee Ann TimreckDecember 11, 2024
The Library of Virginia maintains the most comprehensive collection of information about Virginia’s history, culture, and government. We hold more than 200 million manuscript items,…
Trenton HizerMarch 13, 2024
On February 9, 1864, Colonel Thomas E. Rose (1830-1907) led 108 other imprisoned Union officers in a daring escape from Libby Prison. Rose, colonel of…
Trenton HizerFebruary 9, 2024
The Library of Virginia started accessioning business records in 1911. State Librarian Henry Read McIlwaine recognized the importance of such records. “From this source by…
Kenneth ForestJanuary 22, 2024
Why didn’t men fight in the Civil War? It’s not the most popular question that gets brought up during discussions of America’s bloodiest war, but…
McKenzie LongJune 7, 2023
The Common Ground Virginia History Book Club focuses on approachable books focused on Virginia-centered nonfiction. Most of these books are historical narratives and biographies such…
Library of VirginiaDecember 21, 2022
In the late 1840s, a flood of Irish refugees fleeing the Great Famine filled America’s cities. While most of these immigrants went to the Northeast,…
Bill BynumMarch 16, 2022
"I hate secession and all its hateful helpers. Cursed be the hand that raised its bloody flag to make desolate homes and wretched women,” wrote…
McKenzie LongSeptember 22, 2021
Next month, LVA's Common Ground Virginia History Book Group meets virtually to discuss the September Weinstein Author Series title, No Common Ground: Confederate Monuments and…
Library of VirginiaAugust 27, 2021
Editor's Note: A version of this article first appeared in Broadside, the magazine of the Library of Virginia, Issue No. 1, 2020. Known as a famed…
Trenton HizerJune 23, 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 PletcherSeptember 28, 2020
In the past few months, I have examined dozens of boxes of unprocessed Pittsylvania County court records dating back to the 1760s, searching for chancery…
Greg CrawfordSeptember 19, 2018
As part of an ongoing effort to give voice to nineteenth-century African Americans through digital projects like Virginia Untold and Virginia Chronicle, the Virginia Newspaper…
Kyle RogersJune 26, 2018
Debt collateral usually consists of something prized by both parties. As a temporary form of payment, something of value is offered to hold or use…
Sherri BagleyJanuary 31, 2018
