Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection open for research.

Use Restrictions

No physical characteristics affect use of this material.

Preferred Citation

Loudoun Community College Collection, 1950-1956 (SC 0118), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA.

Acquisition Information

Loudoun County Historical Society

Alternative Form Available

None

Accruals

2004.001

Processing Information

Processed by Dawson Frasier, 16 November 2015 Revised by Laura Christiansen, April 2016

Historical Information

Loudoun Community College was founded in 1949 by the Reverend Monroe Bush, Jr. (1933-2008) a former minister at Leesburg Presbyterian Church. Bush, who felt that the county needed a junior college, served as the College's first President   from 1950 - 1952. The first classes were held at 101 West Market Street in Leesburg. The college focused on serving adult students and offered courses in merchandising, agriculture, banking, literature, science, politics, pedagogy, music, and painting. Teacher education classes were also offered with course credit offered through a partnership with George Washington University. The college also received University of Virginia accreditation after 1954. Along with offering classes, the college was also noted for art exhibitions included an exhibition of works of American Art on loan from the Corcoran Art Gallery and regular shows exposing county residents to contemporary artists such as Douglas Brown (1899-1952) and Ben L. "Joe" Summerford (1924- 2008).

Throughout its existence, the college struggled to attract students and stay financially viable. On July 2, 1956, Edward E. Nichols, Jr. (1920-2007), chairman of the Board of Trustees, announced suspension of all activity, effectively closing the college. The Board gave the imminent establishment of a branch of the University of Virginia in the area as a reason for their action.

Scope and Content

The Loudoun Community College collection consists of collected documents and materials gathered during the lifespan of the college. Administrative files include the college president's report for the 1953-1954 school year along with a detailed account of activities at the college during that year. A draft of the release announcing the college's closing, dated July 12, 1956 is included. Materials documenting art exhibits and visiting artists at the college include newspaper clippings, press releases, and exhibit lists of artwork featured. Newspaper clippings have been photocopied for preservation. A photograph of the Loudoun Community College's classroom building at 101 West Market Street in January 1953 is included in the collection.

Arrangement

Folder: Item

Related Material

Winslow Williams Photograph Collection (VC 0003), 1925-1980, Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA. [See vc_0003_2581-01, vc_0003_2581-02, vc_0003_2581-03, vc_0003_2581-04], The Bulletin of Loudoun Community College; Courses of Study; Leesburg, Virginia, 1950-1951 , Ephemera File

Adjunct Descriptive Data

Bibliography

Leesburg Architectural Surveys, 1971-2001, Block 10, 253-0035-0169

Leesburg Presbyterian Church. The Leesburg Presbyterian Church: Leesburg, Virginia 1804. 1979, 285.755 LEE

The Bulletin of Loudoun Community College; Courses of Study; Leesburg, Virginia, 1950-1951, Ephemera 189

"College Closes." Loudoun Times-Mirror 12 July 1956. Microfilm. Loudoun Times-Mirror January 5, 1956 thru Dec 27, 1956

Other Finding Aid

None

Technical Requirements

None