Adopt Virginia History
Help the Library of Virginia conserve the treasures of the Commonwealth. By adopting an item for conservation in your name, or as a gift to honor others, your fully tax-deductible donation will keep Virginia's history accessible and alive for generations to come!
Item #1
Historical anecdotes, civil and military: in a series of letters, written from America, in the years 1777 and 1778, to different persons in England; containing observations on the general management of the war, and on the conduct of our principal commanders, in the revolted colonies, during that period. London: Printed for J. Bew, in Paternoster-Row. 1779
Rare Book Collection
Adoption amount: $2,310
About this item: This publication serves as a primary source for gaining insight into Loyalist perspectives on the war, particularly during the Saratoga campaign and the occupation of Philadelphia. Notably, some letters within the volume, including those dated January 25, 1778, were reproduced as handbills and circulated to members of Parliament in March 1778.
The book features the bookplate of Samuel Latham Mitchill Barlow (1826–1889), a distinguished American corporate lawyer, influential art collector, and Democratic political advisor. Barlow was renowned for his expertise in railroad law and his close ties with General George B. McClellan. In addition to his legal and political career, he curated an extraordinary collection of rare books focused on exploration, colonization, and American history.
Conservation Treatment: The publication currently shows creasing on the lower corners throughout the first half and a significant repair on the final page. The front cover is detached. Conservation efforts would involve fully disbinding the volume, surface cleaning, washing, and deacidifying the pages, followed by rebinding in half calf with marbled paper sides.
Item #2
A brief narrative of the revival of religion in Virginia. In a letter to a friend.
(Letter to Rev. Thomas Rankin of England, dated Sept. 10, 1776)
By Jarratt, Devereux, 1733-1801. London, Printed by R. Hawes. 1778
Rare Book Collection
Adoption amount: $2,000
About this item: This publication offers an essential account of the Great Awakening’s impact in Virginia, highlighting the author’s significant role as a mediator between the established Anglican Church and the emerging Methodist movement. The letter describes a series of evangelical revivals, including a notable meeting in May 1776, during which the author experienced the “power of the Lord” sweeping through the gathering like a “rushing, mighty wind,” resulting in the conversion of hundreds.
The volume bears the bookplate “From the library of Gen. John E. Roller.” John Edwin Roller (1844–1918), born near Mt. Crawford, was a distinguished lawyer, lecturer, and antiquarian in the Shenandoah Valley. He served in the Confederate Army and was appointed major-general of the 3rd Division of the Virginia Militia in 1872. A graduate of Virginia Military Institute and the University of Virginia Law School, Roller also represented his constituency in four sessions of the Virginia State Senate.
Conservation Treatment: The front flyleaf is currently missing, the binding shows wear, and the front cover is detached. The acidic endpapers have caused discoloration transfer to adjacent text pages. Conservation would involve fully disbinding the volume, surface cleaning, washing, and deacidifying the pages, followed by rebinding in half calf with marbled paper sides.
Item #3
The Bermudian. A poem ... By Tucker, Nathaniel, 1750-1807. Williamsburg Va.: Printed by Alexander Purdie & John Dixon. 1774
Rare Book Collection
Adoption amount: $1,506
About this item: “The Bermudian” is a celebrated, lengthy poem by Nathaniel Tucker that poignantly conveys his deep homesickness and longing for his native Bermuda. Born in Bermuda in 1750, Tucker spent the early 1770s briefly in South Carolina and visited Virginia, before residing primarily in England for the remainder of his life. He composed the poem while serving as an assistant to his brother, a physician in Charleston, South Carolina. The opening lines reveal his intimate bond with the island and its natural beauty, while later verses reflect on his departure and his parents’ heartfelt counsel to live a life marked by honor and virtue.
Conservation Treatment: The publication currently shows surface grime throughout, and the endpapers are highly acidic. Conservation would involve fully disbinding the volume, surface cleaning, washing, and deacidifying the pages, followed by rebinding in quarter calf with marbled paper sides and a printed laid paper label on the front.
Item #4
The Crisis. vol. I. containing XXVIII numbers ... London printed; New-York, Reprinted, by John Anderson. Jan. 4, 1775-June 8, 1776.
Rare Book Collection
Adoption amount: $1,670
About this item: The Crisis began as a London weekly publication that quickly drew the ire of British government leaders. It was first informally condemned and later officially prosecuted in court as a dangerous example of seditious libel. Despite public burnings of copies, the publication continued without interruption. The creators of The Crisis aimed to engage the British public in American affairs, and they were likely gratified when several issues were reprinted in the American colonies. The publication appealed to shared convictions and anxieties: a belief in fundamental rights that transcend governmental authority, and the fear that the loss of these rights in Britain’s American colonies might eventually threaten their preservation in Britain itself. However, The Crisis stopped short of urging Britons to overthrow the monarchy in favor of a republic, and its enthusiasm for the Patriot cause diminished after the Americans declared independence.
Conservation Treatment: The publication currently exhibits surface grime throughout, with areas of staining and discoloration. The binding is worn, and the rear cover shows some loss. Treatment would include surface cleaning the pages, removing oil residue from the binding, infilling losses on the flyleaf and rear cover, and repairing the binding with toned Japanese paper.
Item #5
The rights of Great Britain asserted against the claims of America: being an answer to the Declaration of the general Congress. By Macpherson, James, 1736-1796. United States. Continental Congress (1775).; Great Britain. 1776.
Rare Book Collection
Adoption amount: $2,310
About this item: This pamphlet is regarded as one of the most influential English critiques of the American Revolution. Macpherson delivers a vehement, though often inaccurate, attack on America’s 1775 Declaration… Setting Forth the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, considered the colonies’ most significant precursor to the Declaration of Independence. Approved by the Second Continental Congress and primarily authored by John Dickinson, that declaration famously declares: “Our cause is just: our union is perfect… being of one mind resolved to die freemen rather than to live slaves.”
In his fiery critique, Macpherson asserts that the “rights to tax all the Subjects of the British Empire can never be denied” and warns that America’s rebellion “against the invincible power of a mighty Empire… must terminate in ruin.” He denies that British troops fired first during the confrontation that ignited the Battles of Lexington and Concord, instead accusing the British of suffering “BARBAROUS CRUELTY” at the hands of numerous “savage Provincials” who “scalped” soldiers and gouged their eyes “out of their sockets.”
Conservation Treatment: The publication currently has a detached front cover and highly acidic endpapers. Conservation would involve fully disbinding the volume, surface cleaning, and washing the pages. The line foldout would be reinforced with Japanese paper and resewn, followed by rebinding in half calf with marbled paper sides.
Item #6 - ADOPTED
Virginia Exposition 1888. Opens Oct 3rd Closes Nov 21st, At the Historic City Richmond.
Poster, Visual Studies Collection
Adoption amount: $1,000
About this item: This rare and beautifully designed poster promoting the 1888 Virginia Exposition was recently acquired for the Visual Studies collection. The primary illustration depicts crowds gathering at the exposition’s main building, accompanied by smaller views of the Virginia seal and the George Washington equestrian statue at Capitol Square.
Conservation Treatment: The conservation of this poster will involve surface cleaning, washing, and deacidification. The poster will then be mended and lined with Japanese paper for added support.
Item #7
View of the Island Virginius, in the Shenandoah, at Harper’s Ferry. Taken near Jefferson’s Rock. Taken from Nature by Th. Sachse. Lithograph by Sache & Co, Sun Iron Building, Baltimore. ca. 1857
Engraving, Visual Studies Collection
Adoption amount: $1,331
About this item: This rare bird’s-eye view depicts the south side of the town of Harper’s Ferry, situated on Virginius Island along the Shenandoah River. The image captures a lively scene featuring numerous houses and industrial buildings, a stagecoach being loaded, two trains on the tracks, and many people and structures bustling with activity.
Edward Sachse (1804–1873), the lithographer and painter behind this work, was born in Gorlitz near Breslau, Germany. He emigrated to America in the late 1840s with his family and brother Theodore, settling in Baltimore. There, the firm Sachse & Company, lithographers, operated actively until the 1870s.
Conservation Treatment: The chromolithograph is currently mounted on an acidic, brittle matboard. Prior to mounting, the print appears to have sustained water, mold, and insect damage. It also shows overall surface grime and staining. Conservation would include surface cleaning, washing, removal of the degraded backing, and deacidification of the print. The artwork would then be backed with Japanese paper, and any areas of loss would be carefully toned as needed.
Item #8
Woodland Interment Lot Ledger, 1924-1969 (and undated).
Private Papers
Adoption amount: $4,760
About this item: Located in Henrico County, Woodland Cemetery was established in 1917 by the Woodland Cemetery Corporation, led by president John Mitchell, Jr. The site of interment of Arthur Ashe, Woodland Cemetery is the home to many of Richmond’s wealthy and noteworthy African-American residents. The cemetery was created before the establishment of a 1919 Richmond city ordinance that required cemeteries to have perpetual care funds in order to finance upkeep. As a result, Woodland Cemetery fell into a state of disrepair. Woodland Cemetery is currently unowned.
Conservation Treatment: Currently the now disbound text is heavily stained and has surface grime throughout. Many pages are loose and over half have tears. The first and last pages have large losses. Treatment would include fully disbanding and surface cleaning all pages. Remove previous repairs and deacidify the pages. Mend tears with Japanese paper, then encapsulate in 3 mil. polyester film sleeves. Sleeves would go into a half binding style cloth postbinder with leather label.
Item #9
Order book, Vol 8 (1913-1915) J. Henry Brown Monuments (Richmond, Va.); Brown, Earl Lyndhurst, 1898-1957.; Brown, J. Henry, 1859-1921.; J. Henry Brown and Son (Richmond, Va.).
Private Papers
Adoption amount: $5,016
About this item: J. Henry Brown (1859-1921) began operation as a stonemason in 1885 in partnership with Walter R. Harwood. Although the partnership with Harwood evidently did not continue, Brown operated a succession of businesses as a monumental architect and builder. Brown also served as president or general manager of the Virginia Granite Company, Inc, and Capitol Granite and Marble Works. After Brown’s death, his son, Earl Lyndhurst Brown (1898-1957) served as president of Capitol Granite and Marble Works before reviving J. Henry Brown Company in 1924. He changed the name of the Company to J. Henry Brown and Son in 1928.
Order books of J. Henry Brown Monuments, Inc., and order books of its successor company J. Henry Brown and Son, both of Richmond, Virginia, contain sketches of cemetery monuments and headstones, cornerstones, and date stones, with their dimensions, specifications and inscriptions. The name and address of the individual ordering the monument and the charges for the work are also included. Most orders are for Richmond area cemeteries such as Evergreen, Hollywood, Maury, Mt. Calvary, Oakwood, Riverview, and Shockoe, however there are orders for cemeteries in other Virginia localities, as well as Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Conservation Treatment: Currently the textblock is intact, but the spine linings are failing. Surface grime and soiling is present throughout, as are minor tears and creases. The binding is partially detached, heavily worn and soiled, and the spine is missing. Treatment would include fully disbanding and surface cleaning the pages. Mend pages with Japanese paper and resew text. Rebind in similar style with similar tooling.
Item #10
Order book, Vol 9 (1915-1917) J. Henry Brown Monuments (Richmond, Va.); Brown, Earl Lyndhurst, 1898-1957.; Brown, J. Henry, 1859-1921.; J. Henry Brown and Son (Richmond, Va.).
Private Papers
Adoption amount: $4,743
About this item: J. Henry Brown (1859-1921) began operation as a stonemason in 1885 in partnership with Walter R. Harwood. Although the partnership with Harwood evidently did not continue, Brown operated a succession of businesses as a monumental architect and builder. Brown also served as president or general manager of the Virginia Granite Company, Inc, and Capitol Granite and Marble Works. After Brown’s death, his son, Earl Lyndhurst Brown (1898-1957) served as president of Capitol Granite and Marble Works before reviving J. Henry Brown Company in 1924. He changed the name of the Company to J. Henry Brown and Son in 1928.
Order books of J. Henry Brown Monuments, Inc., and order books of its successor company J. Henry Brown and Son, both of Richmond, Virginia, contain sketches of cemetery monuments and headstones, cornerstones, and date stones, with their dimensions, specifications and inscriptions. The name and address of the individual ordering the monument and the charges for the work are also included. Most orders are for Richmond area cemeteries such as Evergreen, Hollywood, Maury, Mt. Calvary, Oakwood, Riverview, and Shockoe, however there are orders for cemeteries in other Virginia localities, as well as Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Conservation Treatment: Currently the textblock is intact, but the spine linings are failing. Surface grime and soiling is present throughout, as are minor tears and creases. The binding is heavily worn and soiled, and the lower spine is missing. Treatment would include fully disbanding and surface cleaning the pages. Mend pages with Japanese paper and resew text. Rebind in similar style with similar tooling.
Item #11
Order book, Vol 10 (1917-1918) J. Henry Brown Monuments (Richmond, Va.); Brown, Earl Lyndhurst, 1898-1957.; Brown, J. Henry, 1859-1921.; J. Henry Brown and Son (Richmond, Va.).
Private Papers
Adoption amount: $6,040
About this item: J. Henry Brown (1859-1921) began operation as a stonemason in 1885 in partnership with Walter R. Harwood. Although the partnership with Harwood evidently did not continue, Brown operated a succession of businesses as a monumental architect and builder. Brown also served as president or general manager of the Virginia Granite Company, Inc, and Capitol Granite and Marble Works. After Brown’s death, his son, Earl Lyndhurst Brown (1898-1957) served as president of Capitol Granite and Marble Works before reviving J. Henry Brown Company in 1924. He changed the name of the Company to J. Henry Brown and Son in 1928.
Order books of J. Henry Brown Monuments, Inc., and order books of its successor company J. Henry Brown and Son, both of Richmond, Virginia, contain sketches of cemetery monuments and headstones, cornerstones, and date stones, with their dimensions, specifications and inscriptions. The name and address of the individual ordering the monument and the charges for the work are also included. Most orders are for Richmond area cemeteries such as Evergreen, Hollywood, Maury, Mt. Calvary, Oakwood, Riverview, and Shockoe, however there are orders for cemeteries in other Virginia localities, as well as Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Conservation Treatment: Currently the textblock is intact, but the spine linings are failing. Surface grime and soiling is present throughout, as are minor tears and creases. The binding is heavily worn and soiled, and the lower spine is missing. Treatment would include fully disbanding and surface cleaning the pages. Mend pages with Japanese paper and resew text. Rebind in similar style with similar tooling.
Item #12
Order book, Vol 11 (1918-1919) J. Henry Brown Monuments (Richmond, Va.); Brown, Earl Lyndhurst, 1898-1957.; Brown, J. Henry, 1859-1921.; J. Henry Brown and Son (Richmond, Va.).
Private Papers
Adoption amount: $5,767
About this item: J. Henry Brown (1859-1921) began operation as a stonemason in 1885 in partnership with Walter R. Harwood. Although the partnership with Harwood evidently did not continue, Brown operated a succession of businesses as a monumental architect and builder. Brown also served as president or general manager of the Virginia Granite Company, Inc, and Capitol Granite and Marble Works. After Brown’s death, his son, Earl Lyndhurst Brown (1898-1957) served as president of Capitol Granite and Marble Works before reviving J. Henry Brown Company in 1924. He changed the name of the Company to J. Henry Brown and Son in 1928.
Order books of J. Henry Brown Monuments, Inc., and order books of its successor company J. Henry Brown and Son, both of Richmond, Virginia, contain sketches of cemetery monuments and headstones, cornerstones, and date stones, with their dimensions, specifications and inscriptions. The name and address of the individual ordering the monument and the charges for the work are also included. Most orders are for Richmond area cemeteries such as Evergreen, Hollywood, Maury, Mt. Calvary, Oakwood, Riverview, and Shockoe, however there are orders for cemeteries in other Virginia localities, as well as Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Conservation Treatment: Currently the textblock is intact, but the spine linings are failing. Surface grime and soiling is present throughout, as are minor tears and creases. The binding is heavily worn and soiled, and the lower spine is missing. Treatment would include fully disbanding and surface cleaning the pages. Mend pages with Japanese paper and resew text. Rebind in similar style with similar tooling.
Item #13
Order book, Vol 12 (1919-1920) J. Henry Brown Monuments (Richmond, Va.); Brown, Earl Lyndhurst, 1898-1957.; Brown, J. Henry, 1859-1921.; J. Henry Brown and Son (Richmond, Va.).
Private Papers
Adoption amount: $5,221
About this item: J. Henry Brown (1859-1921) began operation as a stonemason in 1885 in partnership with Walter R. Harwood. Although the partnership with Harwood evidently did not continue, Brown operated a succession of businesses as a monumental architect and builder. Brown also served as president or general manager of the Virginia Granite Company, Inc, and Capitol Granite and Marble Works. After Brown’s death, his son, Earl Lyndhurst Brown (1898-1957) served as president of Capitol Granite and Marble Works before reviving J. Henry Brown Company in 1924. He changed the name of the Company to J. Henry Brown and Son in 1928.
Order books of J. Henry Brown Monuments, Inc., and order books of its successor company J. Henry Brown and Son, both of Richmond, Virginia, contain sketches of cemetery monuments and headstones, cornerstones, and date stones, with their dimensions, specifications and inscriptions. The name and address of the individual ordering the monument and the charges for the work are also included. Most orders are for Richmond area cemeteries such as Evergreen, Hollywood, Maury, Mt. Calvary, Oakwood, Riverview, and Shockoe, however there are orders for cemeteries in other Virginia localities, as well as Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Conservation Treatment: Currently the textblock is intact, but the spine linings are failing. Surface grime and soiling is present throughout, as are minor tears and creases. The binding is heavily worn and soiled, and the lower spine is missing. Treatment would include fully disbanding and surface cleaning the pages. Mend pages with Japanese paper and resew text. Rebind in similar style with similar tooling.
