Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions on personal use. Permission to publish material from the Randolph H. Lytton Historical Virginia collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Randolph H. Lytton Historical Virginia collection, C0311, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Acquisition Information

Collection donated by George Mason University Emeritus Faculty member Randolph H. Lytton from 2004 to 2015.

Processing Information

Processed by Bill Keeler in August 2018. EAD markup completed by Bill Keeler in September 2018.

Historical Information

Fairfax County was originally granted to Thomas Fairfax, Sixth Lord Fairfax of Cameron by Charles II in 1719. It was not until 1742 that the Virginia Assembly officially established Fairfax as a county. Throughout the 18th century, Fairfax modernized in the form of industry and trade. With modernization, Fairfax County was fractured into Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church, and Loudon. It was also during the time period that the Fairfax Courthouse was constructed with the financial aid of Richard Ratcliffe.

The 19th century brought conflict and subsequent growth to Fairfax County. Many Civil War battles took place within the county as well as the first land engagement of the American Civil War, which took place on June 1, 1861. During the war, Fairfax Courthouse changed hands many times between the Union and Confederacy. After the war, Fairfax experienced economic growth but also remained an agrarian-driven area. By the mid-20th century, Fairfax had experienced a massive population boom, largely as a result of President Roosevelt's increase in government programs, which produced large numbers of new citizens within Fairfax itself. The growth within Fairfax continues today.

Scope and Content

The collection includes artwork, campaign materials, correspondence, envelopes, indentures, maps, military paperwork, newspapers, paper currency, photographs, postcards, and publications. The items in the collection were collected by George Mason University Emeritus Faculty member Randolph H. Lytton. The collection is arranged into five series:

Series 1: Postcards (1903-1982) includes postcards from Virginia.

Series 2: Civil War Era Materials (1861-1914) includes artwork, letters, maps, military paperwork, newspapers, paper currency, and photographs.

Series 3: George Washington (circa 1700-1960) includes artwork, envelopes, maps, photographs and postcards.

Series 4: Fairfax Family (1670-1975) includes artwork, correspondence, indentures, photographs, postcards, and stamps.

Series 5: Mixed Media (1712-2004) includes advertisements, campaign materials, maps, money orders, photographs, and publications.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by subject.

Index Terms

Persons:

• Lytton, Randolph H.

Subjects:

• Letters.
• Maps.
• Photography.
• Presidents--United States.
• Slides.
• United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
• Virginia, Northern--History, Local.
• Virginia--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Maps.

Document Types:

• Correspondence.
• Maps.
• Newspapers.
• Photographic prints.
• Photographs.
• Reproductions.
• Slides.
• Tintypes.