A Guide to the Records of the Virginia War Memorial Commission, 1953-1983 Virginia War Memorial Commission Records, 1953-1983 33938

A Guide to the Records of the Virginia War Memorial Commission, 1953-1983

A Collection in
the Library of Virginia
Accession Number 33938


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Library of Virginia

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Processed by: LVA Staff

Repository
The Library of Virginia
Accession Number
33938
Title
Records of the Virginia War Memorial Commission, 1953-1983
Extent
5.5 cu. ft. (14 boxes)
Creator
Virginia. War Memorial Commission.
Language
English

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Virginia War Memorial Commission. Records, 1953-1983. Accession 33938, State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

Transferred at an unknown date by the Dept. of Historic Resources, Richmond, Va.

Biographical Information

Created by an Act of the General Assembly (Chapter 244) in 1950, the Virginia World War II Memorial Commission was authorized to erect a World War II Memorial building to honor those Virginians who had served in World War II. The Commission, composed of fourteen members (five from the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House, four Senators appointed by the President of the Senate; four citizens-at-large appointed by the Governor; and the Adjutant General of Virginia), acts as the official custodian of the Memorial.

In 1979, the original Act was amended (Chapter 300) to honor not only the servicemen of World War II but also those of all modern wars. The name of the Commission was changed to the Virginia War Memorial Commission and its membership increased to include five citizens-at-large.

In 1984, the Act was repealed (Chapter 750). The Commission was put under the auspices of the Department of Conservation and Historic Resources. The composition of the Commission remained the same and its function as the custodian of the Memorial remained the same. In addition, the Commission was to participate with the Department, the U.S. military, and recognized veterans organizations in the planning, development, and execution of appropriate events that furthered the purposes of Chapter 750.

In 1985, the Legislature changed the name of the Commission to the Virginia War Memorial Board (Chapter 448). Its composition and function remained the same. When the Department of Conservation and Historic Resources reorganized in 1989, the Board was placed under the Department of Historic Resources (formerly the Division of Historic Landmarks within the Department).

The Virginia War Memorial building, located in Richmond, is an open marble and glass structure with the names of the war dead from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War etched into the walls. A marble statue sculpted by Leo Friedlander and entitled "Memory" stands at one end of the structure. At its base burns a "Torch of Liberty." Relics of various battle sites lie embedded in the floor of the Memorial. Designed by the architectural firm of T.J. Collins and Son of Staunton, Virginia, and built by the Thorington Construction Company, the Virginia War Memorial was dedicated on February 29, 1956. Subsequently, a Vietnam Wing, designed by the architectural firm of Ballou and Justice of Richmond, and constructed by Taylor and Parrish, Inc. of Richmond, was dedicated on November 20, 1981.

Civic, patriotic, and education groups may use the Memorial's small auditorium. Applications for use are reviewed by the Department of Historic Resources which then issues permits for use. The Capitol Police provide security for the Memorial and the Department of Buildings and Grounds provides grounds keeping and maintenance at the Memorial.

Scope and Content

Records, 1953-1983, of the Virginia War Memorial Commission are housed in fourteen boxes and arranged alphabetically by folder title, with restricted materials to the rear. Included are architectural drawings and blueprints, correspondence, permits and applications, photographs, meeting minutes, and various artifacts.

Includes correspondence, 1954-1983, detailing the construction and building of the Virginia World War II Memorial, as well as the addition of the Vietnam Wing of the building. Also included are permits and applications to use the building from various organizations; photographs of the Vietnam Wing Dedication; correspondence, lists, photographs, and programs of the Tribute to Vietnam Veterans Parade held in Washington, D.C. on 13 November 1982; and minutes of the War Memorial Commission, 1961-1981. Some Vietnam era artifacts are also included such as a flag, money, and spent shell casing.

The architectural drawings, construction records, and blueprints are restricted and placed at the end of the collection in their own box.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Contents List

Box 1 Folder 1
Biennial report, 1960-1961
Box 1 Folder 2
Chairfund, 1962-1980
Box 1 Folder 3
Competition for memorial, 1951
Box 1 Folder 4
Correspondence, 1954
Box 1 Folder 5
Correspondence, 1955
Box 1 Folder 6
Correspondence, 1956-1957
Box 1 Folder 7
Correspondence, 1958
Box 1 Folder 8
Correspondence, 1961
Box 1 Folder 9
Correspondence, 1962
Box 1 Folder 10
Correspondence, 1963
Box 1 Folder 11
Correspondence, 1964
Box 1 Folder 12
Correspondence, 1965
Box 2 Folder 1
Correspondence, 1966
Box 2 Folder 2
Correspondence, 1967
Box 2 Folder 3
Correspondence, 1968
Box 2 Folder 4
Correspondence, 1969
Box 2 Folder 5
Correspondence, 1970
Box 2 Folder 6
Correspondence, 1971
Box 2 Folder 7
Correspondence, 1972
Box 2 Folder 8
Correspondence, 1973
Box 2 Folder 9
Correspondence, 1974
Box 2 Folder 10
Correspondence, 1975
Box 2 Folder 11
Correspondence, 1976
Box 2 Folder 12
Correspondence, 1977 January-June
Box 2 Folder 13
Correspondence, 1977 July-December
Box 2 Folder 14
Correspondence, 1978 January-June
Box 2 Folder 15
Correspondence, 1978 July-December
Box 2 Folder 16
Correspondence, 1979
Box 2 Folder 17
Correspondence, 1980
Box 3 Folder 1
Correspondence, 1981 January-June
Box 3 Folder 2
Correspondence, 1981 July-December
Box 3 Folder 3
Correspondence, Vietnam Wing Dedication, 1981
Box 3 Folder 4
Correspondence, 1982
Box 3 Folder 5
Correspondence, 1983
Box 3 Folder 6
Insurance records, 1956-1978
Box 3 Folder 7
Mailing list, ca. 1980
Box 3 Folder 8
Mechanical specifications, nd
Box 3 Folder 9
Pamphlets, postcards, etc., ca. 1950-1960
Box 3 Folder 10
Permits and applications, 1960
Box 3 Folder 11
Permits and applications, 1961-1962
Box 3 Folder 12
Permits and applications, 1963-1964
Box 4 Folder 1
Permits and applications, 1965
Box 4 Folder 2
Permits and applications, 1966
Box 4 Folder 3
Permits and applications, 1967
Box 4 Folder 4
Permits and applications, 1969
Box 4 Folder 5
Permits and applications, 1970 January-June
Box 4 Folder 6
Permits and applications, 1970 July-December
Box 4 Folder 7
Permits and applications, 1971 January-February
Box 4 Folder 8
Permits and applications, 1971 March-July
Box 4 Folder 9
Permits and applications, 1971 August-December
Box 4 Folder 10
Permits and applications, 1972 January-February
Box 4 Folder 11
Permits and applications, 1972 March-August
Box 4 Folder 12
Permits and applications, 1972 September-December
Box 4 Folder 13
Permits and applications, 1973
Box 5 Folder 1
Permits and applications, 1974
Box 5 Folder 2
Permits and applications, 1975
Box 5 Folder 3
Permits and applications, 1976
Box 5 Folder 4
Permits and applications, 1977 January-June
Box 5 Folder 5
Permits and applications, 1977 July-December
Box 5 Folder 6
Permits and applications, 1978
Box 5 Folder 7
Permits and applications, 1979
Box 5 Folder 8
Permits and applications, 1980
Box 5 Folder 9
Permits and applications, 1981
Box 5 Folder 10
Permits and applications, 1982
Box 5 Folder 11
Photographs, Misc., ca. 1960-1970
Box 5 Folder 12
Poem, nd
Box 5 Folder 13
Publicity, 1961-1978
Box 5 Folder 14
Requests for proposals, 1954
Box 6 Folder 1
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Certificate of recognition, 1982
Box 6 Folder 2
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Correspondence, 1982 June-September
Box 6 Folder 3
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Correspondence 1982 October
Box 6 Folder 4
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Correspondence 1982 November-December
Box 6 Folder 5
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Correspondence, A-B, 1982 December
Box 6 Folder 6
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Correspondence, C-D, 1982 December
Box 6 Folder 7
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Correspondence, E-G, 1982 December
Box 6 Folder 8
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Correspondence, H-K, 1982 December
Box 6 Folder 9
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Correspondence, L-M, 1982 December
Box 6 Folder 10
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Correspondence, N-S, 1982 December
Box 6 Folder 11
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Correspondence, T-Z, 1982 December
Box 7 Folder 1
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Correspondence, 1983
Box 7 Folder 2
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Financial records, 1982
Box 7 Folder 3
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Insignia, 1982
Box 7 Folder 4-5
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Lists of participants, 1982
Box 7 Folder 6
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Lists of organizations, 1982
Box 7 Folder 7
Vietnam Veterans Parade, List of Vietnam KIA from Virginia, nd
Box 7 Folder 8
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Photographs, Negatives, 1982
Box 7 Folder 9
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Photographs, Black and white, 1982
Box 7 Folder 10
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Photographs, Color, 1982
Box 7 Folder 11
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Programs, pamphlets, etc., ca. 1980
Box 7 Folder 12
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Publicity, 1982
Box 7 Folder 13
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Schedules, instructions, maps, ca. 1982
Box 7 Folder 14
Vietnam Veterans Parade, Task Force, Minutes, 1982
Box 8 Folder 1
Vietnam Wing Dedication, KIA lists, nd
Box 8 Folder 2
Vietnam Wing Dedication, Lists, Guests, 1981-1982
Box 8 Folder 3
Vietnam Wing Dedication, Misc. records, 1981-1982
Box 8 Folder 4-5
Vietnam Wing Dedication, Photographs, Black and white, 1981-1982
Box 8 Folder 6
Vietnam Wing Dedication, Photographs, Color, 1981-1982
Box 8 Folder 7
Vietnam Wing Dedication, Video, PSA: Gov. Charles Robb National Salute [unreformatted], 1981-1982
Box 9 Folder 1
Visitor statistics, 1955-1973
Box 9 Folder 2
War Memorial Commission, Meeting, 1961
Box 9 Folder 3
War Memorial Commission, Meeting, 1964
Box 9 Folder 4
War Memorial Commission, Meeting, 1965
Box 9 Folder 5
War Memorial Commission, Meeting, 1966
Box 9 Folder 6
War Memorial Commission, Meeting, 1968
Box 9 Folder 7-8
War Memorial Commission, Meeting, 1971
Box 9 Folder 9
War Memorial Commission, Meeting, 1972
Box 9 Folder 10-11
War Memorial Commission, Meeting, 1973
Box 9 Folder 12
War Memorial Commission, Meeting, 1974
Box 9 Folder 13
War Memorial Commission, Meeting, 1975
Box 9 Folder 14
War Memorial Commission, Meeting, 1977
Box 9 Folder 15
War Memorial Commission, Meeting, 1978
Box 9 Folder 16
War Memorial Commission, Meeting, 1979
Box 9 Folder 17
War Memorial Commission, Meeting, 1980
Box 9 Folder 18
War Memorial Commission, Meeting, 1981
Box 9 Folder 19
Weekly report of the Clerk of the Works, 1954 November-December
Box 10
Artifacts, Partial plank from the USS New Jersey
Box 10
Artifacts, Canvas pouch
Box 10
Artifacts, Strap
Box 10
Artifacts, Vietnamese money
Box 10
Artifacts, Cartoon
Box 11
Artifacts, Spent shell casing
Box 12
Artifacts, Lucite block with soil and gravel from Vierville-sur-Mer
Box 13
Artifacts, South Vietnamese flag
Box 14 Folder 1
Architectural drawings [restricted], 1978
Box 14 Folder 2-3
Blueprints [restricted], ca. 1955
Box 14 Folder 4
Construction records [restricted], 1953-1979
Box 14 Folder 5
Mechanical specifications [restricted], ca. 1955