A Collection in the Library of Virginia
Accession Number 50967
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia 800 East Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23219-8000 USA Phone: (804) 692-3888 (Archives Reference) Fax: (804) 692-3556 (Archives Reference) Email: archdesk@lva.virginia.gov(Archives) URL: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/
Sterling Farm was a cattle and dairy business located in Loudoun County, Virginia. It was purchased in 1909 by journalist
and academic Dr. Albert Shaw (1857-1947). It originally contained 1640 acres. It was called "The Experimental Farm," for Shaw
was the first area farmer to receive a federal grant for applying "scientific methods" to the raising of crops and livestock.
In 1938, Shaw gifted the farm to his son, Albert Shaw, Jr. (1897-1983). The farm was later purchased from the younger Shaw
by its manager, Fred F. Tavenner (1905-1979).
Records, 1909-1952, of Sterling Farm, a cattle and dairy business in Loudoun County, Virginia, owned by journalist Dr. Albert
Shaw (1857-1947), and later his son Albert Shaw, Jr. (1897-1983) of New York, and managed by Fred F. Tavenner (1905-1979).
The collection includes an agreement and certificate of partnership, correspondence, deeds, financial statements, photographs,
and a history of the farm. The majority of the letters are between Dr. Shaw, who was residing in Winter Park, Florida and
Tavenner, and concern farming activities, business matters, maintenance and upkeep, and expenses, as well as weather, health,
social activities, family news, trips, and visits. The financial statements contain expenses and receipts, assests and liabilities,
and payroll records which include employee names and salaries.