Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Dorothy H. Bodell Papers, 1850-1996, Ms88-042, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The materials about Dorothy H. Bodell's 40th high school reunion were originally donated in 1988. Additions of materials concerning her research about Montgomery White Sulphur Springs were donated in 1994 and 1996.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Dorothy H. Bodell Papers commenced in February 1998 and was completed in June 1998.

Biographical Note

Dorothy Heavener Bodell (1931-2008) was the author of Montgomery White Sulphur Springs: A History of the Resort, Hospital, Cemeteries, Markers, and Monuments , published by Pocahontas Press of Blacksburg in 1993. She also graduated from Virginia Tech and worked for Virginia Tech University Libraries.

External source: "Dorothy Heavener Bodell," Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26222420/dorothy-heavener-bodell

Administrative History

The Montgomery White Sulphur Springs resort, located in Ellett Valley (near Blacksburg), Virginia, was incorporated by a group of local businessmen in 1855. Benefiting from the popular belief in the restorative powers of mineral waters, the Montgomery White catered to a new leisure class seeking healthy and entertaining distractions. In doing so, the resort joined such other nearby establishments as the Greenbrier White, Old Sweet, and Yellow Sulphur springs. The Montgomery White, encompassing several acres of land, boasted a three-story hotel with more than 200 rooms and more than 30 cottages on the grounds.

During the American Civil War, in 1862, the resort was designated a Confederate general hospital, charged with caring for sick and wounded soldiers. By the end of the summer, the hospital was at capacity, with more than 400 patients. While there is no complete list of those who died in the hospital, the nearby cemetery is said to hold 265 graves.

Following the war and much renovation, the Montgomery White again opened to the public and became a popular summertime destination. In 1872, the resort hosted the first board meeting of the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, and in 1874, Jefferson Davis visited for the Southern Historical Society's organizational meeting.

By 1886, George W. Fagg & Company operated the resort, which continued to be a successful enterprise for some years. By the 1890s, however, the Montgomery White and other such resorts were slowly declining in popularity. The economic panic of 1893, together with undocumented instances of fire and flood, may have accelerated the resort's downfall. The Montgomery White property was sold by auction and the remaining structures dismantled in 1904.

Source: Bodell, Dorothy. Montgomery White Sulphur Springs: a History of the Resort, Hospital, Cemeteries, Markers, and Monument . Blacksburg, Va.: Pocahontas Press, 1993.

Scope and Content

The Dorothy H. Bodell Papers consists primarily of newspaper clippings, correspondence, research notes, photocopies of historical documents, and files Bodell compiled while writing her book. The collection also includes an audiotape (1992) of an interview of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Cox about Montgomery White Sulphur Springs, photographs of the cemetery where the Confederate dead were buried, and information about Bodell's 40th reunion of the class of 1948 from Blacksburg High School.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically, with undated materials at the end.

Related Material

See the Montgomery White Sulphur Springs Guest Book, Ms2003-007, also at Virginia Tech Special Collections and University Archives.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Blacksburg (Va.)
• Civil War
• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• Montgomery County (Va.)
• Montgomery White Sulphur Springs (Va.)
• Montgomery White Sulphur Springs (Va.)
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
• Women -- History

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Dorothy H. Bodell Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).