Historic manuscript collection
Scope and Contents
This collection of historic manuscripts dates from 1607-1933, with the bulk of materials dating from 1738-1868. The correspondence, journals and diaries, legal and financial records, estate documents, and printed ephemera in the collection primarily relate to the Washington and Custis families, the Revolutionary War, and society life in antebellum Washington D.C. and Virginia.
Portions of this collection have been digitized, as noted in the item-level descriptions.
Dates
- 1601-1933
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library’s Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. The library reserves the right to restrict access to certain items for preservation purposes.
Extent
approx. 60 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into three series: Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts; Series 2. Ledgers and Bound Manuscripts; Series 3. Oversized Documents and Manuscripts. Each series is arranged in chronological order by date.
Custodial History
Items in this collection were acquired by gift and purchase from various sources. Materials are added to the collection as they are acquired.
- Title
- Historic manuscript collection
- Status
- In Progress
- Date
- April 2016
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Inventory
- Preservation Assessment
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections at The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon Repository
PO Box 3600
Mount Vernon VA 22121
703-799-3600