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Researching the University of Virginia

Resources for where to look when researching the University of Virginia.

This Guide:

The University of Virginia has a long and rich history.  The Library and other U.Va. offices have a treasure-trove of information sources available to interested researchers.  This Guide includes a sampling of these.  You might also want to consult our Thomas Jefferson guide.   Jefferson's University - The Early Life (JUEL)  contains a wealth of information about UVA's early years.

This page:   Key Resources    |    UVA Founding & General Histories   |   Oral Histories    |    Local History Files, Newspapers   |   VIRGO   |   More Local Indexes   |   Visual Resources

Key Resources

UVA Founding and General Histories

Oral Histories: UVa in the 20th Century

"Housed in Special Collections, the Oral History collection (RG 26-) comprises over 250 individual interviews with persons affiliated in some capacity with The University of Virginia. Administrators, faculty, alumni, staff, faculty wives and children, and businessmen share their stories of life at the university and within the greater community of Charlottesville." 

Local History Files and Newspapers

Visual Resources

More Local Indexes

Virginia Names  - located in Alderman Reference Room, near CS call numbers on West Wall.
An index to personal names commemorated at the University of Virginia.  Compiled in July 1969. 
The index excludes the following: 1) U.Va. branches not administered from Charlottesville;  2) art works (See University of Virginia Art File (above)); 3)  names enrolled on Civil War Memorial (see University of Virginia Cemetery Tombstones (see below); 4) gift funds.

Commonwealth Index - Special Collections
An index to v. 1-15, (1934-1948).  Issues of Commonwealth  are shelved at HF1 .C85 (3M, New Stacks).

Institute of Public Affairs Index - Special Collections
Indexes its Proceedings (2nd-29th, 1928-1953).  Issues are shelved at H22 .I639 (3M, New Stacks).