Virginian Records

[NW Mailing List]

On Sat, Dec 7, 2024 at 6:59 AM Carl wrote:

Do you think they would take our N&W records?
>
> Carl Barna
> Emmaus, PA
> ------------------------------
>
> The Library of Virginia collects manuscripts, records, and digital
> artifacts from a variety of sources. In a report about recent acquisitions,
> this was included:
>

Someone above my pay grade would need to address this in more detail, but
probably not. I was surprised that the library accepted this collection. A
number of years ago there was a push to improve coordination between
multiple historical groups in Roanoke and beyond. The N&W Historical
Society was tagged as the best custodian of records -- paper, maps,
drawings, other media, etc. The Virginia Museum of Transportation was
tagged as the collection of static displays (and the J) and the Roanoke
Chapter of the NRHS was tagged as the restorer and operator of moveable
equipment. As such, the latter two organizations unloaded all their "paper"
onto the NWHS. Included in this process was a transfer of materials from
the Library of Virginia. The society is still wading through the "windfall"
from this effort.

Of course, it hasn't panned out perfectly. When Norfolk Southern shut down
the East End Shops, the society was forced to pack up and vacate the
archives space in GOB East. However, a large portion of the N&W records
were not passed on to the society (mostly the records that had been sent to
Virginia Tech, then called back) but sent to the Virginia Historical
Society in Richmond. This included early minute and record ledgers, records
from all the predecessor railroads (minute books, etc.), and correspondence
files from early N&W presidents -- Kimball and Johnson.

Ken and other officers are welcome to expand/update/correct my impressions
of what has transpired.


Bruce in Blacksburg

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