Date of tip :  8 June 2005

Source:  Alex Wieland, a.r.wieland@lse.ac.uk

Location:  428 North Boulevard Richmond, Virginia, 23220 USA

How to get there: The archive is located a short distance from Interstate highway 95, which links Richmond to Washington, DC.  The drive from Washington, depending on traffic, is about 2 hours.  Directions may be found at: http://www.vahistorical.org/visit/directions.htm. Richmond is also served by rail and air services.  

Language: English  

Getting started: Researchers are required to complete a registration form upon arrival which is valid for a full calendar year.  You will need a photo ID to access the manuscript collection or rare books.  All researchers are required to pay a fee to use the archive ($5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for students).

Opening Hours: Reading Room hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Closed on Sundays and all Federal Holidays.  Consult the website to confirm these times before visiting.

General working conditions: Overall, the VHS is a fine facility for research.  The reading room is spacious the staff are attentive and helpful.  Before entering the room, you will be required to leave all bags, briefcases, coats, etc. in a locker located near the front lobby.  Notes may be taken in pencil only. The archive’s catalogue is posted online at: 

http://www.vahistorical.org/research/main.htm

Consultation: There is no fixed limitation on the number of files you may consult in a day, but you may examine only one folder at a time.  To place document orders, you must fill out an individual call slip for each item and submit it to the registration desk.  No documents may be ordered after 4:40 p.m.

Policy on technology: Researchers may use laptop computers and there is wireless internet access in the Reading Room.  Digital cameras and scanners, however, are not permitted. 

Photocopy policy: All photocopying is done by members of staff.  If items are fragile, etc., it is possible that you may not be able to photocopy them.  Copies of rare books, manuscripts,  microfilm and maps cost $0.25 per sheet.  Non-rare books cost £0.15 per sheet.  Consult website for current rates.

Particularities: The archive has no catering facilities on-site.  

How to apply for classified files:  As this is a state archive, specializing mainly in local history, this may not be much of an issue.  

Contact name in case of questions regarding classified files: 

Etc:  Although the archive is geared mainly toward scholars working on Virginia history, especially the Colonial and Confederate periods, there are some items here which will interest those working on more contemporary subjects.  The purpose of my visit was to examine the diaries of David K.E. Bruce, who had served as US ambassador to France and the United Kingdom during the 1950s and 60s.  The archive has the ambassador’s complete diaries and papers, covering the full length of his career.