Browse Items (415 total)

This document is a contract between William B. Cocke and “his former servants.” The agreement specifies that his servants are to “bind themselves to go on to work on the farm and to do and attend to all the business…faithfully and…

This photograph was likely taken in the fields of Westend Farm during WWI, when there would have been a need for farmers to supply food to the soldiers overseas.

Lucy and Nancy Taylor stayed on Westend and kept it going as a farm while two male…

Early African American schools were designed to advance younger generations of African Americans. Within this community of individuals there was a belief that, as an African American became more educated and continued to exceed in society, the…

In this document, a friend of Robert Harris prescribes him to make a pill using household ingredients that he believes will break his fever. These ingredients include "casteel soap, brown sugar, and rhuberd." He also recommends a liquid cure to take…

The Assistant Assessor for the County of Louisa visited the farm of Mr. Robert Harris and, not finding anyone to answer certain questions, left this note in which he asked Robert Harris to send answers to the home of Mr. Overton Harris, as he (the…

In 1836, Sarah Ann Quarles Chandler reluctantly left Louisa County for Cooper County, Misssouri. To read her full journal in pdf format, click on the associated file tab on the right. Her journal begins:

September 16th 1836:
This day set off…

Page from the account records of William Jackson Walton, later Superintendent of Louisa County Schools 1884-1886. Last date on account is Jul 1, 1859. W.J. Walton lived in the Jackson District off of what is now Paynes Mill Road.

Items on…

These images are copies of original labor contracts from Louisa County after the Civil War. Notice the stamps on each document showing it was approved by the Freedmen's Bureau office at Louisa Courthouse.

Contracts are between Henry Taylor and the…

Back Row: W. Earle Crank (Future Commonwealth's Attorney for Louisa County for 40 years), Henry S. Daniel, Jr. (Become beloved physician and built the Louisa Hospital), Atwood M. Wash ( who became a dentist in Richmond) , Welford J. Massie (became…

In spite of the Depression, large scale community events such as parades and fairs were among the most popular entertainments in communities large and small.

The Firemen's Fair was held each July 4th in the Town of Louisa and included…

These images were found in a house about to be torn down across from the Zions Crossroads firestation on Poindexter Road and Route 250 in 2012. It is believed to be of the 369th Infantry Regiment, better known as the Harlem Hellfighters or the Black…

Adam Toler, born in 1766, took detailed notes in a ledger book throughout his education. In a linen-covered notebook, there are comments regarding measurements in many different subjects, including time, the division of money and crops, simple…

Further investigating women’s voting rights in Louisa County, poll books indicate that many types of women registered to vote for the 1920 election. Besides observing different occupations, ages, and locations, varying races played a role in early…

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, many citizens became fearful of additional attack on American soil. While many could not enter into military service, they opted instead to volunteer some of their time to aid from their hometown. A pin and…

This image is of Albon P. Mann, Superintendent of the Arminius Mines. Albon P. Mann carried the main responsibility for the productivity of the mine and was in constant correspondence with manufacturers whom he had made contracts with. His brother,…

This hastily-written five-page letter is the first in a series of letters from Alice to Lizzie in December 1937. This particular letter sheds some light on the topics of family and death during the Depression. While little is known about the…

In this follow-up letter, Alice attempts to alleviate some of the tension by explaining how the previous letter's contents were based upon a misunderstanding. It is claimed that Lelia, the "she" referenced in both this letter and the previous one,…