#ArchivesHashtagParty: Mary Carr Greer & the Albemarle Training School

Posted on February 5, 2021 by

We’re so excited to join the #ArchivesHashtagParty! Organized by the U.S. National Archives, the #ArchivesHashtagParty is a way for all types of archives to share their collections on social media around a fun topic. They provide a new hashtag theme each month; we bring our own collections. This month we’re celebrating #ArchivesBlackEducation, except we’re already bending the rules: we’ll post stories from our collections about Black educators and students each Friday through February for Black History Month. Here on the blog, we’ll share longer versions of those stories with more context from our collections.

Albemarle Training School (ATS) was an industrial school for African American children. As noted in this excerpt from a history of ATS, Black families were hungry for this rare educational opportunity.

Albemarle Training School Building (MSS10176-F)

Albemarle Training School excerpt

Mary Carr Greer in the first ATS yearbook (1948).

Mary Carr Greer was the daughter of Hugh and Texie Mae Hawkins Carr, farmers whose land now forms part of Ivy Creek Natural Area. Greer taught domestic science at ATS for 15 years. Greer then served as ATS principal from 1931 until 1950. During her tenure, she introduced an academic curriculum, transforming ATS from a vocational school to the first four-year high school for African Americans in County.

These images of Black student life in Albemarle are from the 1948 yearbook, ATS’s first in the Papers of the Greer-Carr Family (MSS 10176)

Albemarle Training School Library and Typing Class

Upper class students

First, second, and third grade classes

Albemarle Training School Quartets

#ArchivesBlackEducation: Benjamin Franklin Yancey

Posted on February 5, 2021 by

Photo of portrait of BF Yancey, courtesy of Dave Johnson

Born in Howardsville, Virginia to parents Spencer and Fannie Brown Yancey on October 15, 1870, Benjamin Franklin Yancey, (1870-1915) was an African American educator and community leader who founded the Esmont Colored School in 1915.

Yancey graduated from what is now Hampton University and returned to Albemarle County to teach school. Yancey eventually obtained a teaching position in Esmont, Virginia, a small village approximately 10 miles from his birthplace.

Benjamin F. Yancey’s daily register for 1906-1907. The register includes students’ names, ages, and attendance along with some expense information.

Unflagging in his desire to improve the learning conditions of his “scholars,” Yancey spearheaded a group of community members to create the “Educational Board of Esmont” in 1907. The board’s mission was “to foster the cause of education and establish a better school.” Over the next eight years, Yancey and the board worked tirelessly to bring this dream to fruition. Eight years later the dream was realized, and the Esmont Colored School opened.

Benjamin Yancey died July 19, 1915.

Benjamin F. Yancey’s 1914 Virginia Teaching Certificate

Benjamin Yancey died July 19, 1915.

Benjamin F. Yancey’s 1911 contract with Albemarle County for teaching “five school months” at county school “No. 27” for a salary of $25 per school month; 3 holidays are noted: Christmas Day, Lee’s birthday, Arbor Day.

The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library holds the Papers of the Yancey Family (MSS 11599,-a)

Four Festive Seasons: Kwanzaa

Posted on December 26, 2020 by

Four notable annual winter festivals with similar secular and religious origins often coincide in December. Today, we celebrate a comparatively new holiday, Kwanzaa (1966 A. D.)—or “First Fruits,” a week-long celebration of African and African-American cultural heritage.

Alongside Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, and Christmas, these diverse festive holidays evoke time-honored universal values through feasts, gift-giving, decorations, worship, and music. This presentation of select festival holdings in the University of Virginia’s Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library is curated by Reference Librarian Regina Rush with contributions by Research Archivist Ervin Jordan and will continue over the holiday season to rekindle treasured holiday memories—and optimism—during these stressful times.

Kwanzaa Is A Way of Life That We Celebrate!, is the creation of Amos Kennedy, a renowned African American printer, book artist and paper maker. Kennedy is most noted for using his printed posters as a medium to voice his social and political commentary. This beautifully adorned 56 x 76 mm miniature book is crafted in an accordion style fold with African Kente cloth covering each board.

The text is flanked on each side by Ghanaian Adinkra symbols of the Akan People. To the left of the text is the Adinkra symbol Bese Saka, which translates as “a sack of cola nuts” and represents abundance, wealth and unity. The cola nut was a major cash crop in Ghana before cocoa became the main cash crop. The heart-like Sankofa symbol on the right is from the Twi language of Ghana and translates as “go back and get it,” reminding us of the past as a guiding force in planning the future.

Amos Kennedy, Kwanzaa Is A Way of Life That We Celebrate! York, AL: Amos Kennedy, 2000.
McGehee Miniature Book Collection in the Small Special Collections Library (McGehee 00899)

Four Festive Seasons: Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2020 by

Four notable annual winter festivals with similar secular and religious origins often coincide in December. Today, we celebrate Christmas (336 A. D.) which commemorates the Nativity of Christ and is probably the world’s most celebrated event.

Alongside Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, and Kwanza, these diverse festive holidays evoke time-honored universal values through feasts, gift-giving, decorations, worship, and music. This presentation of select festival holdings in the University of Virginia’s Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library is curated by Reference Librarian Regina Rush with contributions by Research Archivist Ervin Jordan and will continue over the holiday season to rekindle treasured holiday memories—and optimism—during these stressful times.

Christmas Eve

Although unsure of its exact origin, food historians agree eggnog originated from the British medieval drink “posset,” a hot milky ale. Eggnog has become an American cultural culinary staple for the Christmas holiday seasons since it was brought to the colonies in the 1700s. Search online for “eggnog recipes” and the results will exceed 18 million hits! Ranging from alcoholic and non-alcoholic to a cooked eggnog recipe, the basic ingredients include some variant of the following: milk, cream, sugar, whipped eggs whites, and egg yolk.

Ice cream in egg-nog?!

This printed recipe for “Real Eggnog from Ice Cream” was laid in a 1926 edition of The Physiology of Taste, or Meditations on Transcendental Gastronomy by Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin. First published in France in 1825, this classic work on all things gastronomical examines the intersections of food and culture. Brillat-Savarin’s wisdom and witticisms regarding food and its importance in society still resonates with modern gastronomes of today, which brings us back to the egg-nog and ice cream recipe. Was it worthy to share such a sacred space in this canon of gastronomy? Try it and see!

This clipping was found in the 1926 edition of The Physiology of Taste, or Meditations on Transcendental Gastronomy by Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin.

“To Make Real Egg-Nog from Ice Cream” a clipping found in The Physiology of Taste, or Meditations on Transcendental Gastronomy by Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin. Garden City, N. Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, 1926.(TX637 .B86 1926)
Gift of Clarence Wagener

A Christmas Carol

Some of the traditions and festivities of Christmas as we know it today would not be celebrated without the influence of our British cousins across the pond. Sir Henry Cole invented the Christmas card in 1843, and Queen Victoria and Prince Albert popularized decorating Christmas trees in homes during the holiday season. And, of course, it goes without saying that Christmas is synonymous with Charles Dickens!

The culture that surrounds the Christmas holiday today is a direct correlation with his 1843 classic A Christmas Carol: family-centric holiday feasts, decking the halls, and even Ebenezer Scrooge’s promise to “honour Christmas in my heart and keep it all the year.”

In 1983, the Small Special Collections Library acquired a small collection of Charles Dickens miscellany (MSS 10562). The collection includes a liquor flask used by Dickens when he toured America, correspondence, and a portable desk, both pictured below. Our holdings also include several editions of the holiday classic, A Christmas Carol.

Charles Dickens’ writing desk and quill

This Liquor Flask was used by Charles Dickens during his travels in the United States

Charles Dickens began writing A Christmas Carol October 1843. It was published December 19, 1843. A Christmas Carol , 1843. First edition 1st issue, with original covers (E 1843 .D53)

Written by children’s book author Mary Packard, this Advent calendar was created around the Christmas classic A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Housed in a pictorial glazed paper fold-out “book,” this Advent collection of miniature Christmas ornaments are meant to be read one per day. The 24 booklets follow the chronology of Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from “a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner” to a man who “knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.”

Mary Packard. Dickens’ A Christmas Carol Story Book Set & Advent Calendar. New York: Workman Publishing, 1995. (McGehee 05770 no.1/24)
The McGehee Miniature Book Collection

A Christmas Carol, an advent calendar of miniature books (cover)

From the McGehee Miniature Book Collection, this book’s cover folds out to reveal 24 booklets and as Advent calendar journey of Ebenezer Scrooge.

A Christmas Carol, an advent calendar of miniature books (interior)

Inside the book, 24 miniatures follow the chronology of Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from “a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner” to a man who “knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.”

Good Night, John-Boy

The Small Special Collections Library holds a small but rich collection of the late Earl Hamner Jr.’s archives. A Virginia native and Emmy-winning television writer and director during the 1970s and 1980s, Hamner’s collection includes a first edition of his 1970 novel, The Homecoming: A Novel about Spencer’s Mountain, the final shooting script for the 1971 film The Homecoming: A Christmas Story, and television scripts for three mid-1970s episodes of The Waltons. The novel, drawn from Hamner’s childhood experiences growing up in Schuyler, Virginia during the Great Depression, was the impetus for the film. Originally airing on CBS on December 19, 1971, the movie was so popular that it spun off a series, “The Waltons,” which aired on CBS in September 1972 and became wildly popular, lasting nine seasons.

Earl Hamner, The Homecoming, 1971, Typescript (MSS 10380) and “Waltons” Television Scripts, 1975 (MSS 10380-b).

Four Festive Seasons: Winter Solstice

Posted on December 21, 2020 by

Four notable annual winter festivals with similar secular and religious origins often coincide in December. Today, we celebrate Winter Solstice (10,000 BCE), also known as Midwinter, has been observed by a variety of cultures throughout much of recorded history.

Alongside Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanza, these diverse festive holidays evoke time-honored universal values through feasts, gift-giving, decorations, worship, and music. This presentation of select festival holdings in the University of Virginia’s Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library is curated by Reference Librarian Regina Rush with contributions by Research Archivist Ervin Jordan and will continue over the holiday season to rekindle treasured holiday memories—and optimism—during these stressful times.

Winter Solstice

In 1927, British publisher Faber and Gwyer (later Faber and Faber) introduced a series of illustrated poetry poems written by various major authors and illustrated by prominent artists of the period. Contributors to The Ariel Poems series include Thomas Hardy, T.S. Eliot, and Edith Sitwell. T.S. Eliot’s 1927 poem Journey of the Magi was number eight in this series and written shortly after his conversion to Anglo-Catholicism. Marketed as Christmas cards, each pamphlet featured a writer who wrote about Christmas or a seasonal theme. Published in two series, the first run consists of 38 pamphlets published between 1927-1931; the second series was published in 1954 with only 8 issues.

Cover of The Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice, written by poet Harold Monro and illustrated by poet/artist David Jones was the thirteenth of the first Ariel Poems series. This poem’s four stanzas are accompanied by two illustrations: a black and white illustration on the cover; another in color. The shadings of black around the perimeter of the color illustration represent the long bleak winter days to come. The center of the drawing embodies the warmth and celebratory “eat, drink, and be merry” overtone that follows a successful harvest. Images of a burning yule log and the gathering of wood and other provisions hint at the needed preparations to survive the cold months ahead. The streaming rays of sun in the background let the revelers know warmer and more fruitful days will follow this midwinter night.

Interior illustration, The Winter Solstice

The poem is accompanied by an illustration by David Jones. Like solstice, the dark and long, bleak winter scenes are juxtaposed by warm and celebratory “eat, drink, and be merry” overtones that follow a successful harvest. A burning yule log and the gathering wood and other provisions hint at the needed preparations to survive the cold months ahead.

The Winter Solstice, a poem by Harold Monro

Marketed as Christmas cards, each pamphlet in The Ariel Poems featured a writer who wrote about Christmas or a seasonal theme. Harold Monro wrote The Winter Solstice, published in 1928.

Harold Monroe with drawings by David Jones, The Winter Solstice, number 13 in The Ariel Poems. London, Faber & Gwyer Limited, 1928. (PR6025 .O35 W54 1928)
From The Clifton Waller Barrett Library of American Literature

Four Festive Seasons: Happy Hanukkah!

Posted on December 14, 2020 by

Four notable annual winter festivals with similar secular and religious origins often coincide in December. Winter Solstice (10,000 BCE), also known as Midwinter, has been observed by a variety of cultures throughout much of recorded history. Hanukkah (165 BCE), the Jewish “Festival of Lights,” is observed over eight days. Christmas (336 A. D.) commemorates the Nativity of Christ and is probably the world’s most celebrated event. A comparatively new holiday, Kwanzaa (1966 A. D.), “First Fruits,” is a week-long celebration of African and African-American cultural heritage.

These diverse festive holidays evoke time-honored universal values through feasts, gift-giving, decorations, worship, and music. The symbolic significance of ancient and modern ritualized traditions strengthens bonds of family, friends, and community. Conversely, their multi-billion-dollar seasonal commercialization inherently boosts the global economy.

This presentation of select festival holdings in the University of Virginia’s Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library is curated by Reference Librarian Regina Rush with contributions by Research Archivist Ervin Jordan and will continue over the next two weeks to rekindle treasured holiday memories—and optimism—during these stressful times.

Hanukkah

Craftswoman Barbara Schuckman has been making modern, one-inch scale collectible dollhouse miniatures since 1978. This world-renowned artisan’s body of work, known simply as “By Barb” includes such items as miniature books, dinnerware, ceramic decorative plates, artwork for holidays and celebrations, and a Judaic-inspired miniature line which features collectibles celebrating Jewish Holidays. Chanukah Story is a tiny, 25mm collectible that tells the history surrounding the Jewish holiday Hanukkah. The book consists of 12 unnumbered accordion fold pages, and the cover is illustrated with the image of a menorah. This collectible, handcrafted by Barb in 1974, is part of the McGehee Miniature Book Collection.

Barb, The Chanukah Story, 1974. (McGehee 07817)
McGehee Miniature Book Collection

The Chanukah Story, a miniature book in the McGehee Miniature Book Collection, given by Caroline Yarnall McGehee Lindemann in memory of her husband, Carden Coleman McGehee, UVA 1947

The lighting of the menorah in The Chanukah Story.

Written by Lenore Cohen in 1963, Came Liberty Beyond Our Hope: A Story of Hanukkah is aimed at a young adult audience. The story recounts the history which surrounds the festive Jewish celebration of Hannukah. This 26cm, 44-page book is encased in a robin-egg dust jacket that shares the same illustration as the book cover.
The beautifully illustrated plates by Hungarian artist Georges Gaal accompanies the text of the story.

Lenore Cohen, Came Liberty Beyond Our Hope: A Story of Hanukkah, 1963.
(BM695 .H3 C6 1963)

The cover of Came Liberty Beyond Our Hope with an illustration by Hungarian artist Georges Gaal.

An illustration of the lighting of the menorah in Came Liberty Beyond Our Hope, illustrated by Georges Gaal.

Rich with visual imagery, this three-dimensional montage tells the story of Hanukkah in pop-up book form. Writer Sara Freeland and illustrator Sue Clark explore the events and many traditions that surround the festive Jewish holiday. The book includes a pop-up menorah, latke recipes, and a paper dreidel that can be assembled. Hanukkah! A Three Dimensional Celebration is part of the Brenda Foreman Collection of Pop-up and Moveable Books in the Small Special Collections Library.

Sara Freedland, Hanukkah! A Three-Dimensional Celebration, 1991. (PZ92 .F6 H38 1991)
Brenda Forman Collection of Pop-up and Movable Books.

A pop-up menorah in Hanukkah! A Three-Dimensional Celebration.

The legend of the Maccabean Revolt in Hanukkah! A Three-Dimensional Celebration.

Staff Spotlight: Lauren Zuchowski Longwell – University Archivist

Posted on November 5, 2020 by

We’ve hired several new staff in the Small Special Collections Library in the past year, and we’re delighted to introduce you to our wonderful new colleagues. In previous weeks, we met Whitney Buccicone, Kim Cull, Stacey Lavender, and Rose Oliveira. This week, meet Lauren Zuchowski Longwell, our University Archivist.

Lauren Zuchowski Longwell started in August 2020 as the University Archivist at the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library. She previously worked at Loyola Marymount University, the Japanese American National Museum, and the Norton Simon Museum of Art (all located in Los Angeles). When she is not hard at work preserving university history, she enjoys spending time outside, baking, and reading.

Lauren Zuchowski Longwell, University Archivist

What was your first ever job with books or libraries?
I almost always had a book in my hands as a child, but my first job working with books was at the Museum of Contemporary Art bookstore in Los Angeles. I loved it, but it turns out I spent a lot of money during my shifts and wasn’t great at selling things! I started library school while working there and never looked back.

What was the first thing you collected as a child? What do you collect now? (oh, c’mon, admit it).
I was deep into the Beanie Baby craze and even learned to sew so that I could make my own. I also collected CD singles (sparked by my deep love of the song MMMbop) and had an impressive collection of stickers showcasing Lisa Frank and fuzzy animals. My collecting as an adult is less influenced by the 1990s. I collect vintage Santa decorations, board games, fabric from places I’ve traveled, and lots and lots of books!

Hopefully you’ve been roaming Grounds and Charlottesville a bit since your arrival. What’s your favorite new discovery other than Special Collections?
My husband, daughter, and I have been exploring different hikes in the area. We have loved exploring Mint Springs Valley Park and venturing into Shenandoah. We also like to visit different wineries nearby—my one-year-old is a big fan of pulling up grass and people watching while we sample some wine so it’s a win-win! Our favorite so far has been Pippin Hill.

Tell us what excites you about your job?
I love that I’m constantly learning on the job, and I can’t wait to delve deep into UVA’s history! My position gives me the opportunity to meet so many different people across Grounds, and I am really looking forward to working with different groups to ensure that their history is preserved in the University Archives. I’m looking at you, student groups!

Tell us something about Special Collections or UVA that is different from what you expected.
The UVA specific lingo! I think I’ve finally gotten into the habit of saying “Grounds” instead of “campus.” Next up is to eliminate freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior.

If you could be locked in any library or museum for a weekend, with the freedom to roam, enjoy, and study to your heart’s content, which one would you choose?
This is a tough one! My top choice would have to be Hearst Castle in San Simeon, CA. I’d love to see the areas that aren’t included in the tours! It would also fulfill my lifelong dream to swim in their two phenomenal pools. My runners-up would be the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum or The Met Cloisters but I keep thinking of more as I type…I’ll stop myself here.

Staff Spotlight: Rose Oliveira – Accessioning Archivist

Posted on October 29, 2020 by

We’ve hired several new staff in the Small Special Collections Library in the past year, and we’re delighted to introduce you to our wonderful new colleagues. In previous weeks, we met Whitney Buccicone, Kim Cull, and Stacey Lavender. This week, meet Rose Oliveira, our Accessioning Archivist

Rose Oliveira, Accessioning Archivist

Rose Oliveira is the Accessioning Archivist at the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library. She began this new position in June of 2020. She previously worked at the Linda Lear Center for Special Collections and Archives at Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut. Rose and her intrepid cat Euri ( short for Euripides) enjoy reading books, writing letters, and adventuring in the outdoors.

What was your first ever job with books or libraries?

Growing up in Naugatuck, Connecticut, the Howard Whittemore Library was my second home. But my first job working in libraries came in my library program when I got a graduate assistant job at the Tufts Digital Collections and Archives. My first job working with books was in Seattle. I worked at the University District’s Half Price Books. I never had the pleasure of working with a better cast of characters (and I do mean characters). It certainly helped me on my way.

What was the first thing you collected as a child? What do you collect now? (oh, c’mon, admit it).

Actually, I was not much of a collector as a child unless you count Baby-Sitters Club and Sweet Valley High books. I had a lot of those! Because I have done a lot of moving, I keep my collections very curated and small. But I do collect friends’ zines from the Pacific Northwest.

Hopefully you’ve been roaming Grounds and Charlottesville a bit since your arrival. What’s your favorite new discovery other than Special Collections?

Hard question…but probably Blue Hole. Growing up by the water, I knew that I would miss the ocean when I moved to Charlottesville. I was determined to find as many swimming holes as safely as I could during COVID. Blue Hole was the first one I found. I like that it’s close, an easy hike, and a great place to swim.

Tell us what excites you about your job?

SO MANY THINGS!! I love the creativity and problem solving that is required in understanding and mapping out a new position. I love being able to create the initial records that provide access to users more quickly to the truly amazing collections we bring in. I love working with a great team of people on accessioning digital materials and making them available to users. And, I truly love working with my colleagues; they make the library flourish and do incredible things in their varied roles.

Rose with colleagues accepting delivery of a recently donated collection.

“I truly love working with my colleagues; they make the library flourish and do incredible things in their varied roles.”

Tell us something about Special Collections or UVA that is different from what you expected.

Well, I came into the library and UVA at a very unusual time, so everything is different than what I expected. However, I am impressed with how adaptable and flexible everyone (staff, students, faculty) has been in such extreme changes.

If you could be locked in any library or museum for a weekend, with the freedom to roam, enjoy, and study to your heart’s content, which one would you choose?

Another hard question. Probably the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Specifically when the nasturtiums are in bloom in the spring. It has both botanical features and amazing art to be inspired by all weekend long. The courtyard is magical; I would love to frolic and read and write there. They also have a great library that is available for browsing that I would enjoy being locked in with for the weekend.

Staff Spotlight: Stacey Lavender – Project Processing Archivist

Posted on October 22, 2020 by

We’ve hired several new staff in the Small Special Collections Library in the past year, and we’re delighted to introduce you to our wonderful new colleagues. In previous weeks, we met Whitney Buccicone and Kim Cull. This week, meet Stacey Lavender, our Project Processing Archivist!

Stacey in her home office

Stacey Lavender is our Project Processing Archivist, arranging and describing a variety of collections. Previously she was at Ohio University, where she worked first as a Digital Projects Librarian and then later as the Special Collections Librarian for manuscript collections. Stacey is originally from Houston, a city she loves everything about except the weather, and went to graduate school in Michigan, where she found out she loves snow.

What was your first ever job with books or libraries?
One summer while I was in high school I got a job at the local public library, mostly reshelving books. I don’t remember much about it, except that it was my first time working an 8-hour day and I felt very grown up taking 15-minute breaks in the staff lounge. At the time I never imagined I’d end up working in a library as a profession, but it must have planted a seed in my mind, because here I am!

What was the first thing you collected as a child? What do you collect now? (oh, c’mon, admit it).
Books! One year for Christmas my grandmother gave me a collection of my dad’s childhood books and I was absolutely delighted to have a full bookshelf that was ALL MINE. I’m still haphazardly adding to that collection, and I have approximately zero self control in any bookstore. I also collect postcards. I buy them at every museum I visit, and any time I travel they’re my souvenir of choice. I keep some of them taped to the wall in my office at home, and rotate them in and out. I’m also a total sucker for pretty vintage glassware.

Hopefully you’ve been roaming Grounds and Charlottesville a bit since your arrival. What’s your favorite new discovery other than Special Collections?
I’ve been having a great time exploring local places to hike, especially the parts of the Rivanna near our house and the trails around Monticello. My husband and I bring our pup, Bogie, and watch him wade in the water and (unsuccessfully) attempt to catch butterflies. We’ve also been exploring local restaurants as much as we can with the pandemic, by getting takeout a couple times a week. We get croissants and coffee from Petite MarieBette every Friday morning, which I would highly recommend as a way to kick off your weekend a little early.

Stacey’s dog Bogie at the beach

Tell us what excites you about your job?
Working with the materials! I’m an inquisitive (read: nosy) person and I love learning about people and their lives through their collections. I frequently tell people I became an archivist so I could read other people’s mail, which is mostly the honest truth. I also love thinking about the practice of arrangement and description and how to meet the needs of our users, be they students, faculty, staff, or the community at large.

Tell us something about Special Collections or UVA that is different from what you expected.
Well I certainly didn’t expect to spend most of my first 6 months working from home! I have been continuously amazed at how my colleagues here have adjusted and adapted to the rapidly changing situation caused by the pandemic. It’s been such a hard time, but it’s been heartening to see how everyone in Special Collections has come together to keep meeting the needs of our users as well as we possibly can.

If you could be locked in any library or museum for a weekend, with the freedom to roam, enjoy, and study to your heart’s content, which one would you choose?
Oooh this is a hard one! I think maybe the Met. I’ve only been there once, and sadly I got sick while I was there and had to leave after only an hour. That interrupted visit still haunts me, so it’s the place that comes to mind first. Plus it’s definitely big enough to keep you busy for a weekend!

Staff Spotlight: Kim Cull – Rare Book Project Cataloger

Posted on October 15, 2020 by

We’ve hired several new staff in the Small Special Collections Library in the past year, and we figure it is time to introduce you to our wonderful new colleagues. Last week, you met Whitney Buccicone. This week, meet Kim Cull, our Rare Book Project Cataloger!

Kim Cull and her dog, Elliot

Kim Cull is the Rare Book Project Cataloger working primarily with the McGehee Miniature Book Collection and the Shirley Plantation Collection. Before coming to the University of Virginia, Kim was the Cataloging and Metadata Librarian at Cleveland State Community College in Cleveland, Tennessee. When she is not hard at work cataloging fun miniature books or slightly charred Shirley books, she enjoys cuddling up with her dog Elliot and eating cookies.

What was your first ever job with books or libraries?
My first ever library job was in the serials unit at Wells Library at Indiana University during my time in graduate school. Along with another student, I shelved periodicals, sorted mail, and checked in ‘PR’ serials, or serials published in Western languages. I got to work with some wonderful people and see some really fun art journals.

She really does love a good mug!

What was the first thing you collected as a child? What do you collect now? (oh, c’mon, admit it).
I grew up in a family of collectors, so I have collected my fair share of objects. The first thing I vividly remember collecting was Pokemon cards (Gen 1). My brothers and I would go to a comic book store or Toys R Us and use our allowance money to buy packs of cards just hoping to get the limited edition cards. Now, I am a proud owner of a mug collection. I also collect books like most librarians, but I love a good mug.

Hopefully you’ve been roaming Grounds and Charlottesville a bit since your arrival. What’s your favorite new discovery other than Special Collections?
Carter Mountain Orchard is one of my favorite discoveries in Charlottesville. I love visiting orchards and picking apples, berries, flowers, or whatever is available. The view on top of the mountain is gorgeous too! Also, who doesn’t love a warm apple cider donut in the Fall?

Tell us what excites you about your job?
I mean, the materials I work with are pretty awesome. I love old things; they make me feel sad (bonus points if you know where that quote comes from!) The absolute best part of my job though is working with fabulous people. When I found out I got the job, the first thing I did was cry because I am privileged to work under someone who has been cataloging for 50 years.

Tell us something about Special Collections or UVA that is different from what you expected.
Truthfully, I did not expect to love it here as much as I do. Everyone I encounter is so nice and friendly. When I started working here, I figured I would work really hard and learn as much as I could in the two years given to me and then move on to the next adventure. Now, I am hoping that my next adventure can be put off for just a little bit longer.

If you could be locked in any library or museum for a weekend, with the freedom to roam, enjoy, and study to your heart’s content, which one would you choose?
Either the James Whitcomb Riley house in Indianapolis, Indiana because it is a gorgeous preserved Victorian house or Newfields/Indianapolis Museum of Art because the Lilly House and the gardens are so much fun to explore.

Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library

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