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Commencement Programs Collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: LU-040

Scope and content

The items in this collection date from 1863 to 2021 and include mainly Commencement programs and invitations. However, the collection also includes newspaper clippings, school announcements, and webpage print-outs.

Dates

  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1863 - 2021

Creator

Restrictions on Access

There are no restrictions to access or use for research purposes.

Biographical / Historical

In 1839, the Legislature of Virginia incorporated the Farmville Female Seminary; the school existed as a private institution under several other names including Farmville Female College and Farmville College until 1884. In 1884, the State of Virginia passed legislation to open the state's first Normal School; the citizens of Farmville offered the Female College buildings for this new institution. This partnership led to the opening of the first state run institution of higher learning for women in Virginia named, State Female Normal School. The school underwent several names changes including State Normal School for Women in Farmville, State Teachers College at Farmville, Longwood College and then finally in 2002, the school was formally renamed Longwood University. The early years for the school featured Victorian era education for women with classes in languages and arts popular. After becoming the State Female Normal School the institution specifically focused on training students to become teachers in the state's new public school system. Then in 1914, under the new name State Normal School for Women the college could officially issue full degrees for the first time. By the time the name was changed in 1949 to Longwood College, the emphasis was still on teacher training, but more liberal arts options were available to students. Finally, in April 2002, the school was officially designated Longwood University. Graduation or commencement has been an important part of student traditions since the institutions founding, and this collection includes programs, invitations and other related commencement materials.

Extent

2.8 Linear Feet (5 legal-sized archival boxes.)

Language of Materials

English

Ownership and Custodial History

These materials have been collected from various departments and individuals to create a collection of commencement materials.

General Note

While the earliest year item in this collection is dated 1863, and the latest 2021, not all years in that range are represented.

Author
Ethan Ryan
Date
2021-03-26
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Greenwood Library Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Janet D. Greenwood Library
401 Redford Street
Farmville VA 23909 United States
434-395-2433