Through the Decades: History of the Junior League Through the Archives
Collaboration is a common practice in collection development in Special Collections and Archives, which houses records for many of Richmond’s seminal organizations. This year marks the centennial of the founding of the Junior League of Richmond, which has entrusted thousands of documents, images, scrapbooks, memorabilia and other materials to VCU Libraries’ care.
More than 10 years ago, the organization discovered that the thousands of items in the League’s “archive” were disintegrating and not stored in a way that made them readily accessible. The records were housed in the historic Mayo-Carter House, which was soon to be on the market. Built in 1895, the Beaux Arts mansion at 205 West Franklin Street was sold in 2018. League members embarked on a project to organize and digitize its historic records as they prepared to move the headquarters.
The League is an active organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. From its earliest days, the League has undertaken projects critical to the health and wellbeing of society. Today, with almost 600 members, the League’s community programming efforts center on helping women in need. Over its 100 years of action, the League has invested millions of dollars – including more than $773,000 in the last five years alone – and countless volunteer hours in pursuit of a stronger, better Richmond.
The value of the League’s archival materials is immeasurable. Scrapbooks and newspaper clippings and leaders’ reports chronicle Richmond’s social welfare needs and valiant efforts to solve intractable problems. The records reveal visionary approaches to address challenges ranging from threats to health to broadening access to the arts and culture.
Categories History, Nonprofits, Richmond, Special Collections and Archives