Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection open for research.

Use Restrictions

No physical characteristics affect use of this material.

Preferred Citation

Loudoun County Historical Society Records, 1954 - 2012 (M 0111), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA.

Acquisition Information

Loudoun County Historical Society, Leesburg, VA and Alexandra S. Gressitt, Purcellville, VA

Alternative Form Available

None

Accruals

2004. 0001, 2004.0023, 2004.0151, 2005.0099, 2012.0013, 2010.0029, 2017.0047

Processing Information

Donna Jamison, 28 March 2017

Historical Information

The Loudoun Historical Society was established in 1956. Founding member, J. V. Nichols (1871-1970), stated that the mission of the Society should be a concerted effort to identify and preserve the historical records of Loudoun County. In addition, the founding members envisioned a Society that would sponsor educational programs for the public; publish and promote original historical research; and encourage donations of historical materials to ensure their availability for future generations.

The public response to the new organization was enthusiastic. In the first year, the Society attracted 235 members many who attended popular lectures and tours of historical interest. The Society produced a publication, The Bulletin of the Loudoun County Historical Society containing original research on subjects related to Loudoun County history. Volumes were published in the years 1957-1976, 1997, and 2001-2011. Historical Society Secretary John Lewis (1930-2013) who took charge of editing and marketing The Bulletin, also maintained an extensive correspondence on the subjects of genealogy and other historical topics with the many who wrote inquiries to the Society.

General membership meetings were discontinued in 1976, and the organization was on hiatus until 2001. In 2001 renewed interest in the organization lead to the resumption of the publication of The Bulletin. Occasional lectures were also offered to the general public after 2001. As of 2012, the Society remains inactive.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of administrative records of the Loudoun County Historical Society. Included are the Society's original founding documents: the Constitution, Mission Statement and By-Laws as well as Minutes of Board of Directors and General Membership meetings 1956 to 1976. General Correspondence files covering both internal and external correspondence are arranged chronologically. Letters from prominent individuals such as Lady Bird Johnson (1912-2007) appear in these files. Additional correspondence files include the letters, memoranda, and marketing efforts specifically pertaining to the publication of The Bulletin . Some original, published or unpublished, manuscripts submitted for The Bulletin are available. For preservation, newspaper clippings have been photocopied and originals discarded. Photographs of the Society's early officers are stored separately as VC 0071. VHS tapes have been digitized and are stored separately as AV 0012.

The Society collected manuscripts and other documents relating to Loudoun County history. Some of these materials were donated to Thomas Balch Library and have been processed as separate collections. Processed collections include: Loudoun Valley Academy Collection (SC 0037), Nichols/Moore Land Indenture (SC 0070), Elijah V. White's Ball's Bluff Address-1887 (SC 0023), Lincoln High School Collection, 1911-1941, (SC 0015), Norris and Sons Account Book (BV 005), Nichols/Moore Land Indenture, 1851 (SC 0070), Land Grant-Lord Fairfax to Richard Brown, 1741 (OM 009), Mediterranean Pass for Rising Sun, 1819-1924 (SC 0009), Alexander McIntyre/William Moore Land Indenture, 1840 (OM 0029), Leesburg Opera House Handbill (SC 0012) Miskel's Farm, 1863 (SC 0032), Yardley Taylor Surveying Notebook, 1832-1884 (M 036), William Moore Land Plat, 1851 (SC 0080), Springwood Select Home School for Young Ladies, 1866 (SC 0019), Waterford News (SC0014), Taylor Family Papers, 1817-1872 (SC 0097), Woman's Christian Temperance Union Collection (M 101), Moore/Gibson Land Indenture, 1853 (SC 0074).

Arrangement

Box: folder

Related Material

Loudoun County Historical Society (Loudoun County, Va.). 2000. The Bulletin of the Loudoun County Historical Society. Leesburg, VA: Loudoun County Historical Society [V REF 975.528 LOU]. Phillips, John T. 1998. The Bulletin of the Historical Society of Loudoun County, Virginia, 1957-1976. Leesburg, VA: Goose Creek Productions [V REF 975.528 LOU]

Adjunct Descriptive Data

Bibliography

Loudoun County Historical Society Records, 1954 - 2008 (M 0111), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA.

Other Finding Aid

Past Perfect catalogue records

Technical Requirements

Electronic media