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Early American History Resources in the Special Collections Research Center

The Special Collections Research Center has extensive holdings of manuscripts and rare books dealing with early American history. This guide describes the bulk of those holdings, although it is not a comprehensive list.

Newspapers

While the SCRC owns numerous issues of early Virginia newspapers, whenever there is a microfilm or digital version, we ask that you use that. The major newspapers in the SCRC for which there are neither microfilm nor digital versions available at Swem are:

[New Market] Der Virginische Volksberichter Und Neumarket Wochenschrift, 1807-1809 (F232.S47 V5)

Richmond Whig & Public Advertiser, 1833-1864 (AN47.R52 R527)

Staunton Spectator, 1827-1831 (AN47.S72 S777 (182u-183u))

Virginia Gazette and Norfolk Intelligencer, 1774-1775 (radical paper closed on Lord Dunmore’s orders) (AN47.N67 V33)

You should also search Swem Library's online catalog to find additional titles.

Access Tools

Special Collections Research Center Access Tools: There are a variety of tools available to guide you in finding materials in the Special Collections Research Center (SCRC). Don't forget that you also may come into the SCRC in person and consult with the staff member on duty for guidance.