Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Introduction:
Today's Virginians include people whose ancestors have always been here, descendants of the original Jamestown settlers, the progeny of the first West Africans, and more recent immigrants from Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central America. They live and work from Virginia's Atlantic coast to its Appalachian Mountains, from remote coal-mining towns in the southwest to bustling suburbs in the north. But no matter how deep their roots, Virginians strive with dedication and innovation to document and present their cultural heritage, adapting tradition to change and using the past to inform the present and future.
The 2007 Festival explored three "roots" of Virginia's culture: Native American, English, and African American. These groups supported the growth of a diverse, yet unified society in what would become Virginia. At the Festival, present-day Virginians were joined by delegations from Kent County, England (one of the counties from which the original settlers came and the burial place of Pocahontas) and West Africa (an area from which many enslaved Africans came to Virginia). By demonstrating and performing many parallel cultural traditions side by side, craftspeople, musicians, cooks, agriculturalists, and maritime experts demonstrated that different cultures can have much in common and can borrow from each other to forge a nation. Festival presentations were organized around three themes:
Continuing the Past. -- Many traditions in Virginia; Kent County, England; and West Africa remain "unbroken" within families and communities. A number of crafts, such as pottery, blacksmithing, wood carving, and needlework, span the generations; craftspeople interpret and produce them according to their own tastes and market demand. Festival visitors could interact with contemporary adherents of these ancient traditions.
Transforming the Past. -- While tracing the roots of Virginia culture, historians find many tradition bearers who, by necessity or desire, refashion their skills. For example, in Virginia, as well as in Kent County, England, fruit farmers find it hard to keep their businesses profitable because of cheaper imports; many have quit farming and have sold their land to developers. Growers have responded and now gourmet cooks can find heirloom varieties of Virginia apples at farmers' markets. The growers bring the taste of Virginia's past to the present and make it profitable and sustainable.
Researching and Interpreting the Past. -- The ability to research and interpret the past requires years of study, determination, and "learning by doing." Digging up the past is the professional passion of archaeologists at sites such as Historic Jamestowne. Family and community researchers collect oral histories and search for clues in archives and databases. Festival visitors could listen as they explained their work, and could pose questions about adapting such skills to their own lives.
Betty J. Belanus was Curator of the program, and Diana N'Diaye was Curator of African/African American Roots. Dorey Butter was Program Coordinator and Beverly Simons was Program Assistant. For Jamestown 2007, Jeanne Zeidler was Executive Director and Amy Ritchie was Manager of Statewide Programs and Smithsonian Project Manager. For Kent, England, Rebecca Casson was Head of Kent Virginia Development; Hollie Snelson was Smithsonian Project Manager; and Leila Maggs was Smithsonian Project Coordinator.
The program was produced in partnership with Jamestown 2007: America's 400th Anniversary and the Kent County Council. The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture was the Smithsonian Institution partner. Lead supporters of Jamestown 2007 included the Norfolk Southern Corporation, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Verizon, and Anheuser-Busch Companies. Other supporters included AirTran Airways, Dominion, James City County, Philip Morris USA, SunTrust, and Wolseley PLC/Ferguson Enterprises Inc.
Researchers:
Advisors
Howard Bass, Ann Bay, Mary Briggs, Lonnie Bunch, George Carter, Rex Ellis, Anthony Gualtieri, Portia James, Gail Lowe, Helen Schierbeck, Gabriella Tayac, Esther Washington, C. Brian Williams, Chris Williams, CiCi Williamson
Virginia fieldworkers
Harold Anderson, Olivia Cadaval, Mary Eckstein, Roland Freeman, Ywonne Edwards Ingram, Jon Lohman, Kip Lornell, Roddy Moore, Jennifer Neely, Vanessa Thaxton-Ward, Richard Vidutis, Vaughan Webb, Karenne Wood
Senegal fieldworkers
Abdoulaye Camera, Gorgui N'Diaye
Kent, England fieldworkers
Teri Brewer, Paul Cowdell, Hannah McNorton, George Monger
Presenters:
Harold Anderson, Olivia Cadaval, Paul Cowdell, Marjorie Hunt, Paula Johnson, Jon Lohman, Kip Lornell, Hannah McNorton, George Monger, Roddy Moore, Jeff Place, Mark Puryear, Gabriella Tayac, Vaughan Webb, Chris Williams, CiCi Williamson, Karenne Wood
Participants:
AGRICULTURE AND ENTERPRISE
Fruit Growing
Tom Burford, 1935-, Monroe, Amherst County, Virginia
Margaret Burns, 1941-, Herne Bay, Kent, England
Philip Johnson "PJ" Haynie III, 1977-, Hague, Northumberland County, Virginia
Paul Saunder, Piney River, Nelson County, Virginia
Saunders Brothers, Piney River, Nelson County, Virginia
Charlotte Shelton, 1936-, Vintage Virginia Apples, Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Virginia
Virginia Wineries Association, Alexandria, Virginia
Ham, Peanuts, and Cattle
Babacar Bâ, Ndjilasséme, Senegal
Ciré Bâ, Ndjilasséme, Senegal
Dee Dee Darden, Smithfield, Isle of Wight County, Virginia
Tommy Darden, Smithfield, Isle of Wight County, Virginia
Sam Edwards, 1956-, Edwards and Sons, Surry, Surry County, Virginia
Stuart Gibbons, 1952-, Canterbury, Kent, England
Henry Goodrich, 1965-, Wakefield, Suffolk County, Virginia
Virginia-Carolina Peanut Promotions, Nashville, Nash County, North Carolina -- Virginia-Carolina Peanut Promotions, Nashville, Nash County, North CarolinaWilliam Bain, Wayne Barnes, Dell Cotton, Melissa Everett, Natalie Everett, Randy Everett, Fred Felts, Martha Felts, Linda Hass, Gail Moody Milteer, Brad Monahan, Drew Monahan, Janet Monahan, Kevin Monahan, Betsy Owens, Donna Pittman, John Pittman
Horse Crafts
Marc Stevenson, rocking horse maker, Bethersden, Kent, England
Tony Stevenson, 1956-, rocking horse maker, Bethersden, Kent, England
Theresa Trussell, 1952-, horse trainer, Kent, England
Danny Wingate, 1951-, saddle & harness maker, Elk Creek, Grayson County, Virginia
Outdoor Crafts
Norman Amos, 1925-, snake cane carver, Callands, Pittsylvania County, Virginia
Susan Bridges, 1954-, forager, food processor, Meadows of Dan, Patrick County, Virginia
Grayson Chesser, 1942-, decoy carver, Sanford, Accomack County, Virginia
Pat Harrison, 1957-, birdcall maker, Covington, Alleghany County, Virginia
John Arthur Leonard, 1964-, decoy carver, Chincoteague, Accomack County, Virginia
Metal Crafts
Mbaye Fall, blacksmith, Ndjilasseme, Senegal
Billy Phelps, 1950-, blacksmith, Woodlawn, Carroll County, Virginia
Kelly Smyth, 1953-, marine blacksmith, Chadds Ford, Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Godfrey South, 1960-, blacksmith, Eynsford, Kent, England
Rural Crafts
Clyde Jenkins, 1954-, split-oak basket maker, Stanley, Page County, Virginia
Yoro Kébé, woodcarver, Ndjilasseme, Senegal
John Waller, 1971-, woodcarver, basket weaver, Blackham, Kent, England
Robert M. Watson, Jr., woodworker, Williamsburg, Virginia
Tobacco and Hops
Bob Cage, 1923-, tobacco auctioneer, South Boston, Halifax County, Virginia
Jim Crawford, 1951-, tobacco auctioneer, Roanoke, Virginia
Colin Felton, 1945-, hop picker, Kent, England
Derek Hitcham, 1942-, beer brewer, Kent, England
Kevin Owen, 1970-, tobacco farmer, Chatham, Pittsylvania County, Virginia
Bobby Wilkerson, 1941-, tobacco farmer, Ringgold, Pittsylvania County, Virginia
Working Dogs
Debbie Johnson, 1956-, dog trainer, Gladys, Campbell County, Virginia
Roy Johnson, 1935-, dog trainer, Gladys, Campbell County, Virginia
BUILDING ARTS
Jimmy Price, 1952-, mason, restorer, Monroe, Amherst County, Virginia
Peter Massey, master carpenter, house mover, Ashford, Kent, England
Colin McGhee, thatcher, Staunton, Virginia
Charles McRaven, 1935-, restorer, Free Union, Virginia
Linda McRaven, 1945-, restorer, Free Union, Virginia
Judy Hill, glass painter, Rochester, Kent, England
Keith Hill, stained glass conservator, Rochester, Kent, England
DECORATIVE CRAFTS
Car Culture
Larry Rathburn, 1948-, car builder, Catawba, Roanoke County, Virginia
Tom Van Nortwick, 1955-, designer, pinstriper, Ferrum, Franklin County, Virginia
Pottery
Fatou Wade, potter, Ndjilasséme, Senegal
Quilting Stories
54-40 African American Quilters Guild, Hampton, Virginia
Virginia Quilt Museum, Harrisonburg, Virginia -- Virginia Quilt Museum, Harrisonburg, VirginiaJoan Knight, 1945-, Harrisonburg, VirginiaJulia Renken, 1951-, Fairfax, VirginiaLoretta Shinol, 1940-, Springfield, VirginiaHelen L. Spittle, 1942-, Springfield, Virginia
Virginia Tribal Crafts
Lee Lovelace, 1987-, tribal artist, Mechanicsville, Hanover County, Virginia
Mildred Gentle Rain Moore, 1934-, blackware potter, Pamunkey Indian Reservation, King William County, Virginia
Debora Littlewing Moore, 1967-, blackware potter, dancer, West Point, King William County, Virginia
Randy Robinson, 1982-, scratchboard artist, Southampton County, Virginia
George Whitewolf, 1942-, basket weaver, Lynchburg, Virginia
Karenne Wood, 1960-, linguist, beader, poet, dancer, Charles City, Charles City County, Virginia
FOODWAYS AND GARDENS
Cooking
Janice Canaday, 1957-, cook, caterer, Williamsburg, Virginia
Dawn Chesser, 1947-, cook, Saxis, Accomack County, Virginia
Amanda Cottrell, 1941-, cook, Ashford, Kent, England
Frances Davis, 1949-, cook, Rocky Mount, Franklin County, Virginia
Maïmouna Diène, cook, Ndjilasséme, Senegal
Mo Joslin, 1948-, cook, Tilmanstone, Kent, England
Patrice Olivon, 1957-, cook, Arlington County, Virginia
Clevie H. Wingate, 1951-, cook, Elk Creek, Grayson County, Virginia
Brunswick Stew
John D. Clary and The Proclamation Stew Crew, Lawrenceville, Brunswick County, Virginia -- John D. Clary and The Proclamation Stew Crew, Lawrenceville, Brunswick County, VirginiaJames P. Batchelor, Lawrenceville, VirginiaTim Bendall, Petersburg, VirginiaChiles Cridlin, Richmond, VirginiaRodney Elmore, Bracey, VirginiaLonnie Moore, Lawrenceville, Virginia
Gardening
George Carter, formal gardener, North Elmham, Norfolk, England
Sophia Sidney, formal gardener, Tonbridge, Kent, England
Michael Twitty, 1977-, provision gardener, Rockville, Montgomery County, Maryland
Tyrone Mangum, 1983-, school gardener, Hampton, Virginia
MARITIME TRADITIONS
Boat Building
Raynell Smith, 1948-, Deltaville Boat Builders, Deltaville, Middlesex County, Virginia
Steve Smith, 1945-, Deltaville Boat Builders, Deltaville, Middlesex County, Virginia
Jamie Smith, Smith's Marine Railway, Dare, York County, Virginia
Tim Smith, 1954-, Smith's Marine Railway, Dare, York County, Virginia
Alan Staley, 1945-, wooden boat builder, Faversham, Kent, England
Harbor Crafts and Activities
Ted Boscana, carpenter, Williamsburg, Virginia
Linda Benson, rope maker, Chatham Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent, England
Brenda O'Donovan, 1954-, rope maker, Chatham Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent, England
Marshall Scheetz, cooper, Williamsburg, Virginia
Historic Maritime Projects
Alexandria Seaport/Thomas Jefferson High School Project, Alexandria, Virginia
Reedville Fishermen's Museum/John Smith Boat Project, Reedville, Northumberland County, Virginia -- Reedville Fishermen's Museum/John Smith Boat Project, Reedville, Northumberland County, VirginiaRichard W. Bradt, Midlothian, VirginiaGordon Burgess, Reedville, VirginiaBill Rogers, Heathsville, VirginiaLionel Whitcomb, Reedville, Virginia
Sultana Shipyard/John Smith Boat Project, Chestertown, Kent County, Maryland
Working the Water
Danny K. Bowden, 1956-, gill-netter, crabber, guide, Chincoteague, Accomack County, Virginia
Marie Hill, oystering, Hobson Village, Suffolk County, Virginia
Mary Hill, 1960-, oystering, Hobson Village, Suffolk County, Virginia
Andy Riches, oystering, Whitstable, Kent, England
Ken Thomas, 1952-, gill-netter, fisher, Dungeness, Kent, England
Virginia Institute for Marine Science (VIMS), Gloucester Point, Gloucester County, Virginia -- Virginia Institute for Marine Science (VIMS), Gloucester Point, Gloucester County, VirginiaWyatt Vaughan, Farmville, VirginiaLester Vincent Williams, Prospect, Virginia
Gerald Anderson, 1953-, instrument-maker, Troutdale, Grayson County, Virginia
Dave Arthur, 1942-, musician, singer, Towbridge Wells, Kent, England
Husnu Aydogdu, 1948-, instrument maker, singer, Arlington County, Virginia
"Big Day Out" Powwow
Gretchen Bulova and dancers, Gadsby's Tavern Museum, Alexandria, Virginia
John Cephas, 1930-, guitarist, singer, Bowling Green, Caroline County, Virginia
La Chanchona de los Hermanos Lobo, Northern Virginia -- La Chanchona de los Hermanos Lobo, Northern VirginiaEfrain Lobo, 1967-, violin, Leesburg, VirginiaEliseo Lobo, vihuelaOsmar Lobo, conga, guïroOsmin Lobo, bassTrinidad Lobo, violin, Arlington, Virginia
The Church of God and Saints of Christ, Alexandria, Virginia
Cheikh Hamala Diabaté and Ensemble, Bambare, Mali -- Cheikh Hamala Diabaté and Ensemble, Bambare, MaliCheick Hamala Diabate, ngoni, Adelphi, MarylandFamouro Diabate, New York, New YorkMakany Kouyate, New York, New YorkBala Tounkara, New York, New York
Rex M. Ellis, 1951-, historian, Williamsburg, Virginia
Brien Fain, singer, banjoist, Stuart, Patrick County, Virginia
Scott Fore, guitarist, Radford, Virginia
Gospel Traveliers, Junior Traveliers, and Gospel Travelettes, Farmville, Prince Edward County, Virginia
Wayne Henderson and Friends, 1947-, Mouth of Wilson, Grayson County, Virginia
Lined-out Hymn Singers, Dillwyn, Buckingham County, Virginia
Linda Lay and Springfield Exit -- Linda Lay and Springfield ExitDavid Lay, Winchester, VirginiaLinda Lay, 1962-, Winchester, VirginiaSammy ShelorRicky Simpkins, Laurel, Maryland
Madison Hummingbirds, shout band, Portsmouth, Virginia
Jim Marshall, singer-songwriter, Hillsville, Carroll County, Virginia
The Midnight Ramblers, bluegrass band -- The Midnight Ramblers, bluegrass bandCherise Bates, 1990-, Wise, VirginiaPaula Bates, 1961-, Wise, VirginiaTony Bates, 1947-, Wise, VirginiaAustin Boggs, 1989-, Wise, VirginiaMarcus Johnson, 1989-, St. Paul, VirginiaAbe Mullins, 1988-, Dungannon, Virginia
The Millen Family, glee club harmony -- The Millen Family, glee club harmonyDonald Brian Levett, 1936-, Smarden, Ashford, Kent County, EnglandGerald Millen, 1926-, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent County, EnglandHilary David Millen, 1955-, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent County, EnglandHoward Batt Millen, 1928-, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent County, EnglandNeil Barrington Thrift Ridley, 1948-, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent County, England
Lucky Moyo, 1966-, Music for Change, Canterbury, Kent, England
Lonesome Will Mullins & The Virginia Playboys, Clintwood, Dickenson County, Virginia -- Lonesome Will Mullins & The Virginia Playboys, Clintwood, Dickenson County, VirginiaJarrod ChurchDuran DuttonRandy DuttonTom IsaacsWill Mullins, Clintwood, VirginiaKody Norris
Bou Counta Ndiaye Ensemble, Senegal -- Bou Counta Ndiaye Ensemble, SenegalBou Counta Ndiaye, Pikine, Daker, SenegalMamadou Ngoma Ndiaye, Pikine, Dakar, SenegalSidy Ndiaye, Department of Thies, SenegalBassirou Seck, Department of Diourbel, Senegal
New Ballard's Branch Bogtrotters, Galax, Virginia -- New Ballard's Branch Bogtrotters, Galax, VirginiaEddie Bond, 1971-, fiddle, Fries, VirginiaJosh Eller, mandolin, Galax, VirginiaLeon Frost, banjo, Galax, VirginiaDennis Hall, guitar, Galax, VirginiaJesse Morris, bass, Abingdon, Virginia
Reverend Frank Newsome, 1942-, Regular Baptist hymn-singer, Haysi, Dickenson County, Virginia
No Speed Limit, Galax, Virginia -- No Speed Limit, Galax, VirginiaStevie Barr, Galax, VirginiaRyan BlevinsAmber CollinsJacob Eller, Galax, VirginiaJosh Pickett
Vera Oye Yaa-Anna, 1949-, storyteller, Washington, D.C.
The Paschall Brothers, a cappella religious singers, Chesapeake, Virginia -- The Paschall Brothers, a cappella religious singers, Chesapeake, VirginiaTarrence Paschall, Sr., 1959-, Chesapeake, VirginiaTarrence Paschall, Jr., 1984-, Chesapeake, VirginiaFrank Paschall, Jr., 1953-, Chesapeake, VirginiaWilliam Paschall, 1963-, Norfolk, VirginiaRenard Freeman Sr., 1964-, Chesapeake, VirginiaRenard Freeman, Jr., 1987-, Chesapeake, VirginiaJohnny Lewis, 1949-, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Buddy Pendleton, 1935-, fiddle, Basset, Henry County, Virginia -- Buddy Pendleton, 1935-, fiddle, Basset, Henry County, VirginiaRobin Kauffman, 1979-, fiddle, Basset, Henry County, Virginia
Tim Laycock, 1952-, playwright, Kent, England
Sonia Ritter, 1958-, playwright, Kent, England
Kinney Rorrer and The New North Carolina Ramblers, old-time string band, Danville, Virginia -- Kinney Rorrer and The New North Carolina Ramblers, old-time string band, Danville, VirginiaDarren Moore, 1976-, guitar, autoharp, Keeling, VirginiaKinney Rorrer, 1946-, banjo, Danville, VirginiaJeremy Stephens, 1984-, guitar, fiddle, Danville, VirginiaKirk Sutphin, 1968-, fiddle, Walkertown, North Carolina
The Sama Ensemble, Persian music, Vienna, Fairfax County, Virginia -- The Sama Ensemble, Persian music, Vienna, Fairfax County, VirginiaGiti AbrishamiBahman AmeenAli Analouei, 1954-, drumsSofi BastaniBehzan BibizadehSteve BloomAudrey ElizabethHayedeh EradatArjan GanjiNeda HosseiniPuneh HosseiniNaser KhorasaniMohsen SalehiNeema ShabestariNazanin Zolriyasatein
Jeffrey Scott, 1965-, Piedmont blues guitarist, Culpeper, Culpeper County, Virginia
La Sensual, salsa band, Northern Virginia -- La Sensual, salsa band, Northern VirginiaBrenda Lee Bonano, maracas, Woodbridge, VirginiaRolando Marcos, keyboards,Woodbridge, Virginia
Ron Short, 1965-, guitar, singer-songwriter, Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Virginia
Spencer Strickland, mandolin maker, Troutdale, Grayson County, Virginia
Los Tecuanis, tiger dancer, Manassas, Virginia
Speedy Tolliver, fiddler, Arlington County, Virginia -- Speedy Tolliver, fiddler, Arlington County, VirginiaAndrew Acosta, Falls Church, VirginiaJohn Kaparakis, Arlington, VirginiaWilliam Patrick McCauley, Front Royal, Virginia
Larnell Starkey and the Spiritual Seven, gospel singers, Wirtz, Franklin County, Virginia -- Larnell Starkey and the Spiritual Seven, gospel singers, Wirtz, Franklin County, VirginiaDarledia Alexander, 1959-, Wirtz, VirginiaTravis Moore, 1996-Danny Starkey, 1954-Eric Starkey, 1980-Larnell Starkey, 1948-Tim Starkey, 1970-Walter Starkey, 1951-, Wirtz, VirginiaOtario Wells, 1995-Coleman Wright, 1956-
Virginia Tribal Dancers -- Virginia Tribal DancersPowhatan Red Cloud-Owen, 1948-, dancer, Charles City, Charles City County, VirginiaTara Danielle Bradby, 1984-, Providence Forge, VirginiaRufus Elliott, 1984-, Monroe, VirginiaDebora Littlewing Moore, 1967-, West Point, VirginiaQuinton Talbott, 1995-, Big Island, VirginiaKarenne Wood, 1960-, Charles City, Virginia
Whitetop Mountain Band -- Whitetop Mountain BandThornton Spencer, fiddle, Mouth of Wilson, Grayson County, VirginiaEmily Spencer, 1952-, banjo, Mouth of Wilson, Grayson County, VirginiaMartha Spencer, 1985-, guitar, fiddle, banjo, Mouth of Wilson, Grayson County, VirginiaDeborah Bramer, bass, Fancy Gap, VirginiaJackson Cunningham, 1977-, mandolin, Christiansburg, VirginiaSpencer Pennington, 1934-, guitar, Warrensville, North Carolina
Phil Wiggins, 1954-, harmonica player, Takoma Park, Montgomery County, Maryland
Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia -- Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VirginiaTed Boscana, Williamsburg, VirginiaMarshall Scheetz, Williamsburg, VirginiaTerry ThonRobert Watson, Williamsburg, Virginia
Liz Finn, archivist, Kent Archives, Canterbury, Kent, England
Julius Fuller, fraternity historian, Hampton, Virginia
Historic Jamestowne, Jamestown, James City County, Virginia
Jamestown Settlement, Jamestown, James City County, Virginia
Pamplin Historical Park and The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, Petersburg, Virginia -- Pamplin Historical Park and The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, Petersburg, VirginiaDaniel Beasley, 1978-, Petersburg, VirginiaAaron Bradford, 1983-, Petersburg, VirginiaJeffrey Dean, 1950-, Petersburg, VirginiaBrian Musselwhite, 1972-, Petersburg, VirginiaAl Neale, Petersburg, VirginiaWisteria Perry, 1975-, Petersburg, VirginiaAndrew Talkov, 1972-, Petersburg, Virginia
Virginia Raye, 1974-, sorority historian, Alexandria, Virginia
Paula Royster, 1966-, genealogist, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, Sperryville and Richmond Virginia Projects
Historic Archaeology
Enid Allison, 1957-, environmental archaeologist, Kent, England
Amanda Danning, sculptor, painter, woodcarver, Bay City, Texas
Marion Green, 1952-, archaeologist, Kent, England
Jamestown 2007 Community Program, Jamestown, James City County, Virginia
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Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
This collection is primarily the work of one individual, Donald Harvey Sultner, known professionally as Donald Sultner-Welles (1914-1981). The collection forms a written and visual record of Sultner's family, life, and career from 1913-1980. Its major strength is Sultner's photographic documentation of the world during his travels, ca. 1950-1980. Work by other photographers and artists, correspondence, greeting cards, and contemporary memorabilia and ephemera are included, along with fewer than fifty examples of earlier materials, ca. 1790-1900, collected by Sultner.
The entire collection reflects Sultner's lifework and interests. Housed in boxes the collection is organized into eleven series: Personal Papers; Professional Papers; Lecture Materials; Biographical Materials; Transparencies; Photoprints; Photonegatives; Prints, Drawings, Mixed Media; Audio Tapes; Miscellaneous; and Steve Eyster Addenda. The arrangement within each series is based as closely as possi-ble on Sultner's own organization of the materials. However, in several instances similar materials were found separated and have been placed together. In addition, obvious filing mistakes and spelling errors have been corrected. The spelling of geographic place names is based on Official Standard Names prepared by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, Office of Geography, U.S. Department of the Interior. Not all names given by Sultner were found in the gazetteers, so there may be errors.
The bulk of the collection consists of 2-1/4-inch by 2-1/4-inch color transparencies (Series 5). However, the manuscript materials (Series 1-4) provide a detailed complement to the transparencies. For example, from the mid-1950s until the late 1970s, Sultner kept a travel diary (Se-ries 1). Written on the backs of postcards, this stream-of-consciousness journal reflects not only his daily trips, but his impressions of the countries and thoughts on his photography. A juxtaposition of cards with images is especially useful in understanding what Sultner photographed as well as why and how he photographed it. Sultner's professional corre-spondence (Series 2) documents the various types of groups before which he performed and equipment manufacturers dealt with for cameras, projectors, and so on. Notes, drafts, and final lectures (Series 3) present the performance side of Sultner. This material, when viewed with tapes of concerts and slides, begins to recreate the photo-concert as Sultner presented it. Scrapbooks (Series 4), kept by Sultner from the 1940s to the 1980s, present Sultner's life and career in chronological fashion.
The transparency portion of the collection (Series 5), containing over 87,000 images, is especially rich because of its documentation of the countries of the world. People are seen at their daily tasks, such as washing clothes, marketing, shopping, and eating. Cities are documented as they changed over the years. Two areas in particular will be of spe-cial interest to European and Asian researchers. The first is Sultner's USIS Asian tour in 1959. He visited Japan, Java, India, Korea, the Phil-ippines, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. The serene, prewar cities and coun-tryside of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam evince nothing of the devastation to come in the 1960a and 70s.
The second area of interest is Sultner's passion for documenting archi-tecture. As a guest of the German government in 1954, Sultner documented the devastation of World War II and photographed both the reconstruction of bombed buildings and the construction of buildings reflecting "new" postwar architectural styles. In addition to photographing post-WW II styles, throughout his career Sultner documented Palladian, baroque and Rococo architecture. This interest manifested itself in several of his lectures.
A third subject area of interest to Sultner was gardens. Among his first lectures following his USIS tour was "Gardens of the World." Sultner de-veloped this theme into an ongoing commitment to ecology, culminating in a filmstrip, "The Time is Now" (Series 10), prepared for the Hudson River Conservation Society in the 1960s. Carl Carmer, a noted author, wrote the text for the filmstrip. Sultner's taped interviews, lectures, and program music (Series 9) complement the transparencies. During his USIS-sponsored Asian tour in 1959, Sultner recorded impressions of his trip on tape. Interviews with people living in the countries he visited, radio interviews, and his own personal reflections are included. Of particular interest are his "No Harm Asking" interviews in Manila (tape #2), his interview of two French hotel managers in Saigon discussing post-French control conditions (tape #9), and--perhaps the most unusual--his discussion with Erna Hanfstaengl about her personal relationship with Adolf Hitler (tape #107). Scripts for lectures (Series 3) round out the documentation of Sultner's profes-sional work.
Because of the arrangement of the transparencies, it is necessary to check several areas for the same subject. For example, Vietnam images are in the "World" section alphabetically under Vietnam (box 81). Sult-ner also lectured on Vietnam, so there are Vietnamese images in the "framed subjects" (Boxes 137-138). Another example, perhaps more compli-cated, but more common to Sultner, was his distinguishing between images of unidentified "People" and identified "Portraits." Transparency stud ies of human beings will be found under the subseries "People." "Subjects --Portraits," various countries in the subseries "World," and "Lectures." There are also individuals in the black-and-white photoprints (Series 6), and photonegatives (Series 8). The painter and print-maker Charles Shee-ler appears in a number of locations, as does tenor Roland Hayes. Another area of complexity with regard to people concerns the transparencies and negatives. Sultner interfiled his transparencies and negatives of iden-tified individuals. For appropriate storage, these two different formats have been arranged in separate series. Therefore, instead of container lists for the two series, there is a combined alphabetical index to both (pp. 166-206).
Of tangential interest are the photoprints (Series 6), etchings, wood-cuts, and other prints (Series 8) collected by Sultner. One particular subseries of interest contains photographs presented to Sultner by Asian photographers during his 1959 tour. Over 45 images were given to Sultner and represent the standards of camera-club photography in the 1950s. Thesecond subseries consists of over 25 prints by the Italian-American art-ist Luigi Lucioni (1900- ). For further information on this artist,see The Etchings of Luigi Lucioni, -A Catalogue Raisonne', by Stuart P.Embury (Washington, 1984). Lucioni also painted Sultner's portrait in1952 and the "People" section of the transparencies contains a number of images of Lucioni at work. Another significant category is the Japanese prints, including two by a major nineteenth-century artist, Ando Hiro-shige (1797-1858).
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into eleven series.
Series 1: Personal Papers, 1923-1981
Series 2: Professional Papers, 1954-1980
Series 3: Lecture Materials, 1952-1980
Series 4: Biographical Materials, 1954-1980
Series 5: Transparencies, 1947-1980
Series 6: Photoprints, 1913-ca. 1980
Series 7: Photonegatives, 1929-1981
Series 8: Prints, Drawings, Mixed Media, ca. 1790-1979
Series 9: Audio Tapes, 1947-1980
Series 10: Miscellaneous, 1947-1980
Series 11: Steve Eyster Addenda, 1937-1980
Biographical / Historical:
Donald Harvey Sultner was bom in York, Pennsylvania, on April 13, 1914, the son of Lillian May Arnold Sultner and Harvey A. Sultner. In 1923 Sultner attended the Lewis Institute in Detroit, Michigan, to overcome a speech impediment. He entered the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1932 and graduated in 1936. Sultner studied merchandising and sang in the glee club, then under the direction of composer Harl MacDonald. Sultner, a baritone, continued his interest in music and studied voice with Reinald Werrenrath and with Florence Benedict and Bruce Benjamin in New York City. In the late 1940s and early 1950s he appeared in concert with accompanists at schools, clubs, and resort hotels along the East Coast.
It appears that photography was always an important part of Sultner's life. Using a small format (120) camera, he recorded his vacation travels around the United States and Canada, parties, and his family. While living in New York, Sultner continued photographing friends and family and began photographing the famous people he encountered on his concert tours. In the early 1950s he began taking 2-1/4-inch by 2-1/4-inch color transparencies (slides) of landscapes and architecture as he traveled giving concerts.
Sultner, who had taken the stage name of "Sultner-Welles," began what was to be his lifework as a professional "photo-lecturer" in 1952. He illustrated his talks on nature, art, architecture, and the environment with his color slides. In 1954 Sultner toured West Germany as a guest of the Bonn government, and in 1959 he lectured in Asia under the auspices of the U.S. State Department. He was dubbed the "camera ambassador." Constantly adding new material to his collection of slides, Sultner traveled extensively throughout the United States, speaking before garden clubs, cultural organi-zations, and schools. He also appeared aboard various ships of the Holland-America line during a number of cruises abroad.
Sultner had established his performance style by the early 1960s. He expanded his lectures to include a combination of art, words, and music. The expanded presentation resulted in the "photo-concert," a unique synthesis of light and sound that Sultner frequently per-formed with a symphony orchestra. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra commissioned "Concertino for Camera and Orchestra" by Eric Knight with Sultner in mind. The world premiere was in Baltimore in March 1979. While he spoke on many art, garden, and architectural topics, Sultner specialized in subjects relating to the baroque and rococo periods and Palladian architecture.
Sultner died of cancer in York, Pennsylvania, on March 25, 1981, at the age of 67.
1914 -- April 13, born York, Pennsylvania.
1929 -- In Detroit at Lewis Institute to overcome a speech impediment.
1932 -- To University of Pennsylvania.
1935 -- Summer trip to Roanoke (VA), Picketts, Hershey (PA); fall trip to New England for fraternity (AXP) convention.
1936 -- Spring glee club trip; graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania; summer trips to Newport News (VA), northern trip to Canada, Picketts (PA).
1937 -- Fall trip to Williamsburg (VA), Duke University (NC); Sultner family begins building "Glen Hill" (Dover, PA).
1938 -- Summer at home, and Picketts (PA), Camp Pratt.
1939 -- Spring trip to Washington, D.C.; September trip to The Homestead (WV), Hot Springs (WV), Virginia; Lake Mohonk (NY).
1940 -- Summer trip to New Orleans, Blowing Rock (NC); winter trip to Skytop Club (NY); fall trip to Atlantic City (NJ), Philadelphia (PA), Annapolis (MD).
1941 -- Winter 1941-42 appearance in "Hit the Deck." Lake Mohonk (NY) with Ted Walstrum (Sept. 22-23); Skytop Club (NY) (February); summer trip to Canada, Lake Chazy (NY) (Aug. 17-23).
1942 -- Spring in Atlantic City (NJ); summer to Buck Hill Falls, Lakes Chazy and Mohonk.
1943 -- Summer trip to Mohonk (NY).
1944 -- Summer: To Toronto (Ontario), Muskoka Lake, Bigwin Island, Montreal (Quebec), Mohonk (NY).
1946 -- To Mohonk (NY), Ogunquit (ME), Old Saybrook (CT), Nantucket (RI).
1947 -- Singing tour of Canada and New England; winter-spring tour to Georgia and Florida.
1948 -- To Florida and Nassau, Feb.-Mar., Vermont, July-Aug.; Nassau-Havana-Miami-Bermuda, October.
1949 -- Singing tour of North and South Carolina.
1950 -- Summer trip to South.
1951 -- To District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, [New Jersey?], New York, Vermont.
1952 -- January 9: first public photo-concert, Pennsylvania Academy of the Arts, Philadelphia; trips to Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont.
1953 -- To Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont.
1954 -- Guest of German government for a study tour in the fall. To District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia.
1955 -- To Holland; Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia.
1956 -- To California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia.
1957 -- Holland-America Cruise to Germany, Austria, Italy. To Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia.
1958 -- Holland-America Cruises to Germany, Austria, Holland, Italy, Switzerland. To Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota., Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Wisconsin.
1959 -- United States Information Service (USIS)-sponsored tour of Asia: Burma, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaya, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam. Also visited Austria, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Greece, Iran, Italy, Spain; Alaska, California, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania.
1960 -- Holland-America Cruise to Austria, Belgium, Caribbean, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Morocco. To Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin.
1961 -- To Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland; Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode.Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin.
1962 -- Portfolio, "Autumn in Vermont," with introduction by Carl Carmer, published in Autumn issue of Vermont Life. Holland-America Cruise to Denmark, England, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Sweden. To Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia.
1963 -- Holland-America Cruise to Caribbean, Canada, Sweden, Thailand. To Alabama, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, N;w York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington.
1964 -- Holland-America Cruise to Germany, Canada, England, Holland, Wales. To Delaware, District of Columbia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia.
1965 -- Holland-America Cruise to Austria, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Holland, Portugal, Wales. To Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Indiana, Kentucky, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia.
1966 -- Holland-America Cruise to Caribbean, Germany, France, Holland, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland. To New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia.
1967 -- Holland-America Cruise to Caribbean, Austria, Denmark, England, Germany, Holland, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Wales. To Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia.
1968 -- To Germany; Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia.
1969 -- To England, France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland; Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia.
1970 -- Holland-America Cruise to Caribbean, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden. To Alabama, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia.
1971 -- Holland-America Cruise to Caribbean, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Portugal, Sweden. To Alabama, Georgia, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.
1972 -- Holland-America Cruise to Asia, Pacific, Caribbean, Africa, Austria, Italy, Japan, Thailand, Turkey. To California, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia.
1973 -- Holland-America Cruise to Austria, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Iceland, Sweden. To California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont.
1974 -- To Germany, Switzerland; California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia.
1975 -- To Austria; California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia.
1976 -- To Canada; Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah.
1977 -- To Canada, Germany; New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia.
1978 -- To Scotland; Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina.
1979 -- To England; Florida.
1980 -- To Florida.
1981 -- March 25: Sultner dies of cancer, York, Pennsylania.
Introduction:
The Donald H. Sultner-Welles Collection, ca. 1790-1981, came to the National Museum of American History in 1982 from the estate of Mr. Sultner. The collection was created by Sultner over his adult life and represents one of the most extensive collections of color transparencies created by one individual and held in a public repository. Sultner's emphasis was on world culture. He took the majority of his photographs in the eastern United States, western Europe, and Asia. Gardens, architecture, and people are the three major subject areas represented in the collection. Of additional interest are Sultner's taped impressions of his 1959 United States Information Service (USIS)-sponsored Asian tour. The collection occupies 309 boxes and covers more than 83 cubic feet.
The Donald H. Sultner-Welles Collection is open to researchers in the Archives Center, third floor east, of the National Museum of American History, between 12th and 14th Streets, on Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20560. The Archives Center is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Written and telephone (202/357-3270) inquiries are welcome and researchers are encouraged to contact the Archives Center before their arrival. The FAX number is 202/786-2453.
This is the eleventh in a series of occasional guides to collections in the Archives Center. Finding aids to other collections are available. The Guide to Manuscript Collections in the National Museum of History and Technology (1978) and an updated compilation contain brief descriptions of all archival holdings in the Museum. All current Archives Center holdings are available for search on the Smithsonian Institution Bibliographic Information System (SIBIS), an online database.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but a portion of the collection is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
A small number of letters and photographs are restricted until the year 2031. Identification list in box.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
United States of America -- Virginia -- City of Williamsburg -- Williamsburg
Governor's Palace (Williamsburg, Virginia)
Scope and Contents note:
Folders include work sheets, brochures, garden map, and copies of articles.
General note:
The first Governor's Palace and gardens were designed by Alexander Spotswood and built between 1708 and 1720. It served as the Governor's home until the Revolutionary War, when it became a military hospital. In 1781, the mansion was destroyed by fire. During the 1930's, the Palace was reconstructed. Arthur Shurcliff (Shurtleff) designed the gardens based on Spotswood's designs of the early 1700s. He based the gardens on English design with a combination of French and Dutch influences, using both "exotics" and native Virginia plants. The gardens, which include a ballroom garden, holly maze, and kitchen garden, are open to the public.
Persons associated with the property include: Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood (designer, 1708-1720); Perry, Shaw and Hepburn (designers, 1931-1934); Arthur Shurtleff (landscape architect, 1930's); Alden Hopkins (landscape architect); and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (owner).
Related Materials:
Original image of VA021012 forms part of Francis Benjamin Johnston Collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress.
See others in:
Garden Club of America Collection, ca. 1920-[ongoing].
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
1 Photographic print ((mounted on cardboard), black and white, mount 8.5 x 10.5 in.)
Type:
Archival materials
Photographic prints
Place:
United States of America -- Virginia -- City of Williamsburg -- Williamsburg
Date:
05/28/1941
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
1 Photographic print ((mounted on cardboard), black and white, mount 8.5 x 10.5 in.)
Type:
Archival materials
Photographic prints
Place:
United States of America -- Virginia -- City of Williamsburg -- Williamsburg
Date:
05/28/1941
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
1 Photographic print ((mounted on cardboard), black and white, mount 8.5 x 10.5 in.)
Type:
Archival materials
Photographic prints
Place:
United States of America -- Virginia -- City of Williamsburg -- Williamsburg
Date:
05/28/1941
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
United States of America -- Maryland -- Prince George's County -- Upper Marlboro
General:
Request for publication: Audiovisual Editorial Librarian, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library. The front of this house is said to be built by Sir Christopher Wren at age 14.
Related Materials:
Dower House related holdings consist of 1 slide (col.)
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
United States of America -- Virginia -- Charles City County -- Charles City
Scope and Contents:
Folders include work sheets, brochures, HABS report, and copies of articles.
General:
In 1638, Captain Thomas Paulett patented 2,000 acres, which he called "Westopher," supposedly in honor of the West brothers, the Lords Delaware. After William Byrd came into possession in 1688, he increased the property to 26,231 acres and built the first Westover dwelling ca. 1690. Byrd's son, William, began the erection of the manor-house in 1726.
A two-acre walled garden contained box borders. The central point of the gardens is the monument marking the tomb of William Byrd, II. Colonel John Selden added to the landscape by planting the row of tulip poplars. Drewery, a former owner, destroyed 3/4 of the garden wall to use for a stable. The garden was then ploughed up and then planted in vegetables. Between 1901 and 1905, the wall was rebuilt on the old foundations. Turfed walkways, crossing each other at right angles, were lined with flowers and tea roses in 1909. Mrs. Sears Ramsay planted all the trees around the "bowling green" to the north of the house. Richard Crane's daughter donated a historic preservation easement on Westover to the state in 1974 when it became a National Historic Landmark.
Persons associated with the property include: Captain Thomas Paulett (former owner, 1638); Sir John Paulett (former owner); Otho Soutcoat (former owner of part, 1665); Theodorick Bland (former owner, 1665); Theodorick and Richard Bland (former owners); William Bird (former owner, 1688); William Byrd, II (former owner); William Byrd, III. (former owner); William Carter (former owner, 1814); Mr. Douthat (former owner); Harrisons of Brandon (former owners); Colonel John Selden (former owner, 1829); Major Drewery (former owner, 1862); Mrs. Clarise Sears Ramsay (former owner, 1898); and Richard Crane (former owner, 1921).
Related Materials:
Westover related holdings consist of 4 folders (18 35 mm. slides and 29 glass lantern slides)
See others in:
Hollerith Collection, ca. 1970?
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
United States of America -- Virginia -- Charles City County -- Charles City
Scope and Contents:
Folders include work sheets and copies of articles.
General:
Hickory Hill was once an addition to Shirley-on-the-James. The house and garden were begun in 1820, when William Fanning Wickham and his wife, Anne Carter, moved on the estate. The grounds and garden were laid out on broad and long lines with avenues lined with cedar and box. The garden is a rectangular plot 355 feet by 440 feet. (Christian and Massie, 1962) A central focal point is a "box-walk" of Sempervirens boxwood. The gardens were damaged during the Civil War when armies swept over the property, but subsequent attempts were made at restoration.
Persons associated with the property include: William Carter Wickham (former owner); Captain Williams Carter Wickham (former owner); and Mr. and Mrs. Henry T. Wickham (former owners).
Related Materials:
Hickory Hill related holdings consist of 1 folder (4 glass lantern slides and 1 35 mm. slide)
See others in:
Hollerith Collection, ca. 1970?
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
United States of America -- Virginia -- Charles City County -- Charles City
Scope and Contents:
Folders include worksheets, brochures, chronology, genealogy, tour script (1996), and copies of articles.
General:
Shirley Plantation was first granted to Sir Thomas West in 1613 and then re-granted to Captain Edward Hill in 1656. In 1723, Elizabeth Hill, who inherited the property, married John Carter. The garden itself reflects several periods. Shirley was used as a reference for colonial Revival gardens that Americans copied. The garden on the south side of the house was said to have been designed by Mary Carter in the early 1800s. Shirley was and is noted for its formal boxwood garden. The gardens, which were under restoration in 1998, are open to the public.
Persons associated with the property include: Sir Thomas West (land grant, 1613); Captain Edward Hill (land grant, 1656); Elizabeth Hill Carter (former owner, 1723); and Arthur A. Shurcliff (landscape architect?).
Related Materials:
Shirley Plantation related holdings consist of 3 folders (40 35 mm. slides, 8 photoprints, and 13 glass lantern slides)
See others in:
Hollerith Collection, ca. 1970?
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
United States of America -- Virginia -- Westmoreland County -- Stratford
Scope and Contents:
Folders include worksheets, brochures, and copies of articles.
General:
Built ca. 1730, Stratford Hall was home to the Lee family until the early 1800s. Relatives subsequently bought and lived in the property until the turn-of-the-century when the Robert E. Lee memorial Foundation took over the property to restore and open as a museum. In the early 1930s, The Garden Club of Virginia restored the formal East Garden in an eighteenth-century English style. They restored a flat area to a terraced garden enclosed by brick walls. Parterres are outlined with English Box. The West Garden, planned by Innocenti and Webel, is a utilitarian part of the garden planted with vegetables, herbs, fruit trees, and ornamental flowers. The North Vista and Nature Trail are additional parts of the estate.
Persons associated with the property include: Thomas Lee (former owner, ca. 1729-1750); Robert E. Lee (birthplace, 1807); Philip Ludwell Lee (former owner, 1750); Matilda Lee (former owner); Henry Lee (former owner, 1798-1828); Mrs. Starke (former owner); Dr. Richard Stewart (former owner); Robert E. Lee Memorial Foundation (owners, 1929); Morley Jeffers Williams (presenter of restoration plans, 1932); Fiske Kimball (restoration architect, 1939-1940); Umberto Innocenti of Innocenti & Webel (landscape architect, 1941-1955); Garden Club of Virginia (east garden restoration, 1930); Alden Hopkins (landscape architect, 1955-1960); A. G. Smith (landscape architect, 1960-1981); and Ronald L. Wade (superintendent of gardens and grounds, 1981).
Related Materials:
Stratford Hall Plantation related holdings consist of 1 folder (9 glass lantern slides and 23 35 mm. slides)
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
United States of America -- Virginia -- Richmond County -- Warsaw
Scope and Contents:
The folder includes worksheets and photocopies of articles.
General:
Mount Airy was built ca. 1748-1758 by John Tayloe II (b.1721-1779) in the Palladian style, on high ground overlooking the Rappahannock River. The original garden was formal and European in style, with a large bowling green directly behind the house which had formal parterres planted in flowers on either side. The five levels of garden terraces had square beds edged in boxwood. There was an orangery, now in ruins. Old trees remain on the grounds, including box, holly, tulip poplars, and yew, and also lilacs and roses. The house was approached through a deer park with an avenue of cedar trees.
In order to build the house on high ground six acres were leveled. The house was built of local brown sandstone with limestone trim from Aquia, Virginia. The architect was said to be Colonel Thornton of London. The large central house is connected to smaller wings in front of the main house by curved corridors, which enclose the courtyard. There was a private racetrack for horses on the estate, and John Tayloe II was a noted horseman. The property remained in the Tayloe family for nearly 300 years.
Landscape architect Arthur A. Shurtleff, best known for designing Colonial Revival gardens in the 1930s for Williamsburg and other locations, drew up plans to restore Mount Airy in 1931. These plans are located at the Library of Virginia.
Mount Airy was listed as a National Historic Landmark on Ocotber 9, 1960, noting that it is the burial place of Francis Lightfoot Lee. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on Ocotber 15, 1966 and as a Virginia Historic Landmark on September 9,1969.
Persons associated with the garden include Colonel John Tayloe II (1721-ca.1779), Colonel John Tayloe III (1771- 1828), who built Octagon House in Washington DC 1798-1800, descendents of the Tayloe family and Arthur A. Shurleff (landscape architect).
Related Materials:
Mount Airy related holdings consist of 2 folders (4 3 x 4 in. glass lantern slides and 4 35mm slides (photographs))
See others in:
Hollerith Collection, ca. 1957-1974.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
United States of America -- Virginia -- City of Williamsburg -- Williamsburg
Scope and Contents:
Folders include work sheets, brochures, garden map, and copies of articles.
General:
The first Governor's Palace and gardens were designed by Alexander Spotswood and built between 1708 and 1720. It served as the Governor's home until the Revolutionary War, when it became a military hospital. In 1781, the mansion was destroyed by fire. During the 1930's, the Palace was reconstructed. Arthur Shurcliff (Shurtleff) designed the gardens based on Spotswood's designs of the early 1700s. He based the gardens on English design with a combination of French and Dutch influences, using both "exotics" and native Virginia plants. The gardens, which include a ballroom garden, holly maze, and kitchen garden, are open to the public.
Persons associated with the property include: Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood (designer, 1708-1720); Perry, Shaw and Hepburn (designers, 1931-1934); Arthur Shurtleff (landscape architect, 1930's); Alden Hopkins (landscape architect); and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (owner).
Related Materials:
Governor's Palace related holdings consist of 3 folders (38 35 mm. slides, 6 photoprints and 12 glass lantern slides)
See others in:
J. Horace McFarland Collection, 1900-1961
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
United States of America -- Virginia -- Fairfax County -- Mason Neck
Scope and Contents:
Folders include worksheets, brochures, and copies of articles.
Five 35 mm. slides have not been catalogued. They include copies of images from Better Homes and Gardens America's Gardens (p. 22); brochure aerial view; and Historic Virginia Gardens (pp. 110-111, 300, and 301).
General:
George Mason built Gunston Hall between 1753 and 1755. The house and gardens remained in the Mason family until the 1860s. After the Civil War ended, owners worked to restore the house and gardens which were destroyed by troops. Louis Hertle added a perola, rose garden with hybrid tea roses, and a reflecting pool. By 1934, nothing remained of the eighteenth-century garden except for the box hedge. When the Garden Club of Virginia took over the garden restoration, the pools, fountains, figures, summer house, roses, and flowering cherry trees were removed. Four parterres along the boxwood walk were planted in dwarf box. Also, two Chinese Chippendale gazebos were built on the outer corners of the lower terrace. The gardens and museum are open to the public.
Persons associated with the property include: George Mason (former owner, 1755-1792); General Robert Gibson Smith or Colonel Edward Daniels (former owner, ca. 1870); Jospeh Specht (former owner); Paul Kester (former owner, 1907-1913); Louis Hertle (former owner, 1913-1949); Commonwealth of Virginia (owner); William Buckland (architect, ca. 1753); National Society of Colonial Dames (caretakers, 1932-present); Alden Hopkins (landscape designer, ca. 1950); Glenn Brown (architect for restorations of house and grounds, ca. 1912); Garden Club of Virginia (garden designers); William and Harvey Nursery (transplanting box, 1952); and Thurman Bushrod (gardener).
Related Materials:
Gunston Hall related holdings consist of 1 folder (12 glass lantern slides and 10 35 mm. slides)
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
Folder includes work sheet, brochures, garden map, grounds tour, and copies of articles.
General:
The mansion consists of two parts--the first built in 1764 by Dr. Thomas Walker and the second in 1824 by Senator and Mrs. William Cabell Rives. An hour-glass lawn and giant boxwood hedges make up a part of the landscape. Garden "rooms" were also created. In 1930, the landscape was described as "a great square, bounded on the north side by a high brick wall against which stand fig bushes, and enclosed on the other three sides by a Colonial arrowhead picket-fence. The garden lies in four deep terraces." (Potts 1930) The estate was open to the public from 1972 until ca. 1990. About ten years later the house was sold separate from the property. The house was subsequently moved off its foundations to a different location.
Persons associated with the property include: Dr. Thomas Walker (former owner, 1764); Senator and Mrs. William Cabell Rives (former owners, 1864); Col. Alfred Landon Rives (former owner); Amelie Rives (former owner); Col. and Mrs. Clark J. Lawrence (former owner, 1947); Mrs. Donald-Michael Bird (former owner, 1972); Wayne Newton (former owner); Alden Hopkins (landscape architect, 1947); and Judith Rives (designer of front lawn, 1832).
Related Materials:
Castle Hill related holdings consist of 1 folder (4 35 mm. slides and 5 glass lantern slides)
See others in:
Castle Hill, ca.1930-1984.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
United States of America -- Virginia -- Fluvanna County -- Bremo Bluff
Date:
1930
General:
Request for publications: Audiovisual Editorial Librarian, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library, P. O. Box 1776, Williamsburg, Va 23187-1776.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
United States of America -- Virginia -- Fluvanna County -- Bremo Bluff
Date:
1930
General:
Request for publications: Audiovisual Editorial Librarian, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library, P. O. Box 1776, Williamsburg, Va 23187-1776.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
United States of America -- Virginia -- Prince George County -- Burrowsville
Upper Brandon Plantation (Va.)
Date:
1931 Jun.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
United States of America -- Virginia -- Charlottesville
Date:
02/12/1929
General:
Request for publication: Audiovisual Editorial Librarian, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library, P. O. Box 1776, Williamsburg, VA 23187-1776.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Gardens -- Virginia -- Charlottesville Search this
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
