Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased from James Arsenault and Co. by the Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia on January 21, 2022.

Biographical / Historical

Content Description

This collection contains a letter from a young woman, either Lucy or Ella Winston, to her mother, Martha A. Winston. The letter, unsigned, describes her travel to and her experience of the Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute. The Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute, chartered in 1837, was the first college for women in Virginia and was attended by both Winston sisters. In the letter, the writer describes the sisters' trip to the institute, shares her first impressions, comments on changes at the school, and discusses various teachers, messages, financial matters, and course study.

The letter measures 9.75" X 7.75" and is three pages. There is a tear on the third page, along with several punctures and small stains resulting in a partial loss of a few words.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute
• James Arsenault and Co.
• Women students
• women--education -- Virginia