Archives and Special Collections
Inquiries are welcome. Researchers planning to visit the archives are encouraged to make an appointment.
In January 1997, for the first time in its 136-year history, Virginia Union University opened a dedicated Archives and Special Collections Department, located in the L. Douglas Wilder Library and Learning Resource Center. In addition to preserving the historical records of the campus, the Department endeavors to collect the history of African American Richmond.
UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES
The University Archives serves as the official repository for the archival records of Virginia Union. The archives collects and makes accessible official university publications and records that document the history of the university and also provides information about VUU activities/events, faculty, and alumni. At this point, the collection consists mainly of university publications such as yearbooks, catalogs (including those for Hartshorn Memorial College), and student newspapers dating from 1950 to the present. The Archives is also home to Doctor of Ministry Projects and Bachelor of Divinity Theses.
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
The Special Collections Department is a growing collection of rare books, photographs, manuscripts and sheet music. The rare book collection contains over 1200 volumes, including first editions, signed copies and out-of-print books, with a particular emphasis on African American children's books of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This non-circulating collection is open to anyone for legitimate research purposes.
SEARCH FINDING AIDS
Try our NEW searchable database for primary sources in our manuscript and archives collections.
HOURS
Monday-- Friday
9:00 am -- 5:00 pm
STAFF
Selicia Allen
Special Collections Librarian/ University Archivist
Phone: (804) 278-4117
sngregory@vuu.edu
Adam Zimmerli
Public Services Librarian – Special Collections
Phone: (804) 278-4112
azimmerli@vuu.edu
FEES FOR USE OF IMAGES FROM ARCHIVES AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
Persons or organizations wishing to reproduce images from any VUU archives or special collections will be charged according to the following schedule:
1) $10.00 per image for personal use, i.e., unpublished and not to be used for profit.
2) $25.00 per image for commercial use, i.e., if image will be reproduced in publication, including electronically, in art or in any format used for commercial purposes.
- Fees will be collected in advance.
- These charges apply to images delivered in a digitized (scanned) format as well as those photographically reproduced.
- The standard credit line is still required: "Virginia Union University Archives and Special Collections"
- Fees do not affect copyright requirements.