Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Alan M. Bruns Papers, MS 516, Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society

Acquisition Information

Gift of Alan M. Bruns, 2009

Biographical/Historical Information

Alan M. Bruns (1927-2009) was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Mary Bryan Bruns and John D. Bruns. Alan grew up at his grandparents' summer home, Dungannon, in Buckingham County, Virginia, on the James River near Howardsville. While in high school, he worked as a C and O railroad telegrapher during World War II. He graduated from Scottsville High School and attended the University of Virginia. He began his newspaper career with the Charlottesville Daily Progress, followed by the Richmond Times Dispatch and the Washington Star. His last job was with the Congressional Record Index Office. He lived near Fredericksburg, Virginia after retirement. He devoted the last years of his life compiling local and family histories.

Scope and Content

This is a collection of Bruns' compilations of various local topics and his memories around the Howardsville region. The folders contain photographs of people and buildings that were in the area.

Arrangement

Folder 1: A Child's-Eye View of Howardsville

includes original photographs

Folder 2: Hurricane Camille (1969) and Howardsville

includes original photographs

Folder 3: Homes along the James River

Documents the Glenmore area in Buckingham County and includes sales brochures for Weyanoke and Dungannon

Folder 4: Nelson and Albemarle Soapstone Railway

includes original photographs of the last passenger run of the train

Folder 5: A Rail Tale for Howardsville

includes various articles and anecdotes of rail travel

Folder 6: Dewey Goolsby's list of grocery shoppers

Folder 7: Howardsville School

includes photographs of the school and students, including student body of 1937

Folder 8: Mt. Alto - Giannini and Fenwick Families

Folder 9: Buckingham County, Virginia

Folder 10: Ephemera

1. Birthday wishes from Cy Odell

2. Tulane vs. Virginia football ticket stub, 19 November 1949

3. Exchange Club Air Show ticket stub, 29 May 1949

4. Temporary Driver's Permit, Alan Martin Bruns, 8 May 1959

5. Central Electric Co., Inc. stub

6. Ruritan National membership card, Alan Bruns

7. Sons of the Revolution in the State of Louisiana, 1955 Membership Card, Alan Martin Bruns

8. Identification card, American Health Insurance Corporation, Alan M. Bruns, 11 July 1952

9. City Bus Schedule [Charlottesville] 3 July 1960

10. Ruritan Square Dance ticket stub, 23 February [no year]

11. Instruction Permit Motor Vehicle Operator, Alan Martin Bruns, 15 August 1957

12. University of Virginia Extension Division receipt, 3 November 1952

13. Square Dance, McIntire Gym, ticket stub, 20 March 1953

14. Charlottesville-Albemarle Public Library card, Alan M. Bruns, 1961

15. United States Air Force Air Defense Command, Alan Martin Bruns

Index Terms

Family Names:

• Bruns family
• Fenwick family
• Giannini family

Subjects:

• Albemarle County (Va.)--History
• Howardsville (Va.)--Photographs
• Nelson and Albemarle Railway Company

Geographical Names:

• Buckingham County (Va.)
• Howardsville (Va.)