Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
@rareuva.bsky.social
Preserving and providing access to more than 16 million manuscripts, archival records, rare books, maps, broadsides, photographs, audio and video recordings at the University of Virginia.
Brittany Murray (she/her) recently joined @uvalibrary.bsky.social as the Charlottesville and Virginia Collections Conservator. She is responsible for the conservation and preservation of collection items from local communities in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
November 3, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Brittany Murray (she/her) recently joined @uvalibrary.bsky.social as the Charlottesville and Virginia Collections Conservator. She is responsible for the conservation and preservation of collection items from local communities in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
New on our blog: Senior Imaging Specialist Stacey Evans reflects on the process of re-digitizing African American portraits in the Holsinger Studio Collection for our 2022-23 Visions of Progress: exhibition. Read her post here: smallnotes.library.virginia.edu/2025/10/21/h....
October 21, 2025 at 7:10 PM
New on our blog: Senior Imaging Specialist Stacey Evans reflects on the process of re-digitizing African American portraits in the Holsinger Studio Collection for our 2022-23 Visions of Progress: exhibition. Read her post here: smallnotes.library.virginia.edu/2025/10/21/h....
Repost from @/abigailenjoysliterature on TikTok: “to this day, still one of the best days ever. this was one of the highlights of grad school. i yearn for access to special collections again oh my god. what’s the coolest book related artifact you’ve seen?? #reading #BookTok #literature #reader #fyp”
September 30, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Repost from @/abigailenjoysliterature on TikTok: “to this day, still one of the best days ever. this was one of the highlights of grad school. i yearn for access to special collections again oh my god. what’s the coolest book related artifact you’ve seen?? #reading #BookTok #literature #reader #fyp”
"A Discovery and an Eclipse: Langston Hughes’ Rise to Fame": In a new post on our blog, Curator George Riser highlights a set of poems addressed from Langston Hughes to Vachel Lindsay—whose endorsement contributed to Hughes' rise in acclaim as a poet.
smallnotes.library.virginia.edu/2025/07/21/a...
smallnotes.library.virginia.edu/2025/07/21/a...
July 21, 2025 at 5:55 PM
"A Discovery and an Eclipse: Langston Hughes’ Rise to Fame": In a new post on our blog, Curator George Riser highlights a set of poems addressed from Langston Hughes to Vachel Lindsay—whose endorsement contributed to Hughes' rise in acclaim as a poet.
smallnotes.library.virginia.edu/2025/07/21/a...
smallnotes.library.virginia.edu/2025/07/21/a...
Join printer Josef Beery as he recreates the first printing of the Declaration of Independence in the South Gallery of the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library on Thursday, July 3, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. No tickets required!
June 30, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Join printer Josef Beery as he recreates the first printing of the Declaration of Independence in the South Gallery of the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library on Thursday, July 3, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. No tickets required!
On June 9, 2012, UVA’s first female president, Teresa Sullivan, was controversially fired by the Board of Visitors. The President’s Office received hundreds of letters of support—none was more unusual than this red shoe, sent by the Reverends Mary and Milton Cole from Des Moines, Iowa.
June 27, 2025 at 8:30 PM
On June 9, 2012, UVA’s first female president, Teresa Sullivan, was controversially fired by the Board of Visitors. The President’s Office received hundreds of letters of support—none was more unusual than this red shoe, sent by the Reverends Mary and Milton Cole from Des Moines, Iowa.
Although printed on cheap paper and published by a little-known firm, this book was elevated with a full teal morocco binding, gilt lettering and edges, marbled endpapers, and hand-drawn motifs throughout.
June 24, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Although printed on cheap paper and published by a little-known firm, this book was elevated with a full teal morocco binding, gilt lettering and edges, marbled endpapers, and hand-drawn motifs throughout.
One of just eight known copies in the world, this lovingly adorned copy of White Fire, a story about gay male love, was gifted by its author Michael Laurie (likely a pseudonym) to his lover, Julian—whose likeness is captured in an intimate pencil and white gouache portrait drawn by Michael.
June 24, 2025 at 3:08 PM
One of just eight known copies in the world, this lovingly adorned copy of White Fire, a story about gay male love, was gifted by its author Michael Laurie (likely a pseudonym) to his lover, Julian—whose likeness is captured in an intimate pencil and white gouache portrait drawn by Michael.
In 2023, Geno Brantley, Ernie and Ronn's adopted son, visited our library with his wife Donna Pendarvis, biographer Elizabeth Cizmar, and other actors who worked with Ernie. They recounted wonderful stories about the couple's 38 years together as creative theatre professionals and life partners.
June 17, 2025 at 6:46 PM
In 2023, Geno Brantley, Ernie and Ronn's adopted son, visited our library with his wife Donna Pendarvis, biographer Elizabeth Cizmar, and other actors who worked with Ernie. They recounted wonderful stories about the couple's 38 years together as creative theatre professionals and life partners.
Together, they moved to Harlem (1966-1989) and later Richmond, VA (1991-2003). Ernie and Ronn, along with their friend, Marcus Primus, opened the Afro-American Studio for Acting and Speech—a school centered on Black self-expression, storytelling, and community healing—in Harlem on March 28, 1966.
June 17, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Together, they moved to Harlem (1966-1989) and later Richmond, VA (1991-2003). Ernie and Ronn, along with their friend, Marcus Primus, opened the Afro-American Studio for Acting and Speech—a school centered on Black self-expression, storytelling, and community healing—in Harlem on March 28, 1966.
Born in Chicago's South Side, Ernie McClintock (1937-2003) was an American director, actor, teacher, and major force behind the scenes of the #BlackArtsMovement. In Chicago in 1962, Ernie met his long-time partner Ronald “Ronn” Tyrone Walker (1936-1999)—an award-winning scenic artist. #QueerHistory
June 17, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Born in Chicago's South Side, Ernie McClintock (1937-2003) was an American director, actor, teacher, and major force behind the scenes of the #BlackArtsMovement. In Chicago in 1962, Ernie met his long-time partner Ronald “Ronn” Tyrone Walker (1936-1999)—an award-winning scenic artist. #QueerHistory
...trans, nonbinary or gender variant. The short segments are paired with portraits of the individuals, drawn and painted by the artist in ink and colored pencil. The book is a joyful read and reveals that there are indeed many ways to express gender. Very helpful if one has a nonbinary relative!"
June 10, 2025 at 4:51 PM
...trans, nonbinary or gender variant. The short segments are paired with portraits of the individuals, drawn and painted by the artist in ink and colored pencil. The book is a joyful read and reveals that there are indeed many ways to express gender. Very helpful if one has a nonbinary relative!"
"This artist book was created at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, for the artist’s qualifiers show. Taxman interviewed 18 transgender people posing the question, 'What was the defining moment of your transition?' To the uninitiated, there are a lot of varied personal experiences of being...
June 10, 2025 at 4:51 PM
"This artist book was created at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, for the artist’s qualifiers show. Taxman interviewed 18 transgender people posing the question, 'What was the defining moment of your transition?' To the uninitiated, there are a lot of varied personal experiences of being...
Reference Librarian Anne Causey recommends Patchwork Voices by Emilee Taxman as part of @uvalibrary.bsky.social's compilation of book and film recommendations exploring the history, present, and future of trans people for #PrideMonth.
Explore the full list at library.virginia.edu/news/2025/ce....
Explore the full list at library.virginia.edu/news/2025/ce....
June 10, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Reference Librarian Anne Causey recommends Patchwork Voices by Emilee Taxman as part of @uvalibrary.bsky.social's compilation of book and film recommendations exploring the history, present, and future of trans people for #PrideMonth.
Explore the full list at library.virginia.edu/news/2025/ce....
Explore the full list at library.virginia.edu/news/2025/ce....
If you’ve watched Tyler Perry’s award-winning 2024 film Six Triple Eight, you might be familiar with the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion of the U.S. Women’s Army Corps—the only Black female battalion overseas during the Second World War.
May 28, 2025 at 6:59 PM
If you’ve watched Tyler Perry’s award-winning 2024 film Six Triple Eight, you might be familiar with the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion of the U.S. Women’s Army Corps—the only Black female battalion overseas during the Second World War.
🎓In honor of Commencement this week, we’re highlighting our collection's oldest diploma—awarded to John A. Gretter as a graduate in the School of Mathematics—from UVA's first graduating class in 1828.
🎊Congratulations to all of the soon-to-be new alumni of UVA!
🎊Congratulations to all of the soon-to-be new alumni of UVA!
May 14, 2025 at 6:22 PM
🎓In honor of Commencement this week, we’re highlighting our collection's oldest diploma—awarded to John A. Gretter as a graduate in the School of Mathematics—from UVA's first graduating class in 1828.
🎊Congratulations to all of the soon-to-be new alumni of UVA!
🎊Congratulations to all of the soon-to-be new alumni of UVA!
On view for the first time: the University’s first telescope in “Seeing Stars: The Universities Earliest Observatories”—open through August. 22, 2025, or celebrate with us this Weds 5/14 at 5:00 p.m at the exhibit opening!
seeingstars.eventbrite.com
seeingstars.eventbrite.com
May 12, 2025 at 9:52 PM
On view for the first time: the University’s first telescope in “Seeing Stars: The Universities Earliest Observatories”—open through August. 22, 2025, or celebrate with us this Weds 5/14 at 5:00 p.m at the exhibit opening!
seeingstars.eventbrite.com
seeingstars.eventbrite.com
That telescope, thought lost to time, was found under a staircase in the Physics building approximately 40 years ago by Physics Professor Michael Fowler who rescued it and kept it in his office. Recently, Fowler approached the @UVALibrary to learn more about the telescope—
May 12, 2025 at 9:52 PM
That telescope, thought lost to time, was found under a staircase in the Physics building approximately 40 years ago by Physics Professor Michael Fowler who rescued it and kept it in his office. Recently, Fowler approached the @UVALibrary to learn more about the telescope—
Patterson also wrote Hassler about a telescope: “But of the most important instrument, I have to complain greatly. Our best telescope, is a four feet refractor, by W. + T. Gilbert, and a very inferior instrument even of its class.— The Board have authorized the purchase of a fine telescope … “
May 12, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Patterson also wrote Hassler about a telescope: “But of the most important instrument, I have to complain greatly. Our best telescope, is a four feet refractor, by W. + T. Gilbert, and a very inferior instrument even of its class.— The Board have authorized the purchase of a fine telescope … “
Patterson wrote fellow astronomer Ferdinand Hassler: “When I arrived here to take charge of my professorship, which, as you know, includes astronomy, I found a small observatory erected on a mountain top, a mile and a half from the university...
May 12, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Patterson wrote fellow astronomer Ferdinand Hassler: “When I arrived here to take charge of my professorship, which, as you know, includes astronomy, I found a small observatory erected on a mountain top, a mile and a half from the university...
In 1828, newly hired Professor of Natural Philosophy Robert Patterson arrived to @UVA only to find the existing Bonnycastle Observatory unsuited to the task of astronomical observations.
May 12, 2025 at 9:52 PM
In 1828, newly hired Professor of Natural Philosophy Robert Patterson arrived to @UVA only to find the existing Bonnycastle Observatory unsuited to the task of astronomical observations.
While planning our current exhibit: “Seeing Stars: The Universities Earliest Observatories,” we never imagined that the University’s first telescope—an 1828 W. & T. Gilbert four foot refractor—might still be on Grounds nearly two centuries later!
May 12, 2025 at 9:52 PM
While planning our current exhibit: “Seeing Stars: The Universities Earliest Observatories,” we never imagined that the University’s first telescope—an 1828 W. & T. Gilbert four foot refractor—might still be on Grounds nearly two centuries later!
How did you update your parents before cell phones or selfies? When #WilliamFaulkner was studying abroad in Paris in the fall of 1925, he included a few drawings of himself to update his mother on the growth of his beard. “Don’t faint,” he writes, saying it made him look quite “distinguished.”
May 12, 2025 at 1:24 PM
How did you update your parents before cell phones or selfies? When #WilliamFaulkner was studying abroad in Paris in the fall of 1925, he included a few drawings of himself to update his mother on the growth of his beard. “Don’t faint,” he writes, saying it made him look quite “distinguished.”
The Harrison/Small building, including the reading room and exhibitions, will be closed this Saturday, May 10 due to scheduled facilities maintenance work.
May 8, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The Harrison/Small building, including the reading room and exhibitions, will be closed this Saturday, May 10 due to scheduled facilities maintenance work.
In 1970, actions organized by college students across the U.S., including at UVA, in protest of the Vietnam War rocked the nation, and the 1971 May Day Protests were an expression of continued frustration and outrage at Nixon’s expansion of the war.
May 1, 2025 at 7:00 PM
In 1970, actions organized by college students across the U.S., including at UVA, in protest of the Vietnam War rocked the nation, and the 1971 May Day Protests were an expression of continued frustration and outrage at Nixon’s expansion of the war.