Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction .

Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Robert L. Atwell Family Letters, 1918-1919, Ms2024-035, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Robert L. Atwell Family Letters were pruchased by Special Collections and University Archives in November 2017.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Robert L. Atwell Family Letters was completed in March 2024.

Biographical Note

Robert L. Atwell (1892-1971) was a resident of Richmond, Virginia, served in the Navy during World War I, and became an engineer and salesman. He married Lucy Williams Atwell (1892-1973) in 1918 and their children include Robert. Lucy Williams Atwell was a resident of Wytheville and Richmond, Virginia.

External Sources:

"Robert LeRoy Atwell", FindAGrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/205928354/robert_leroy_atwell , accessed March 1, 2024.

"Lucy Williams Atwell", FindAGrave.com, ht tps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/205928091/lucy_atwell , accessed March 1, 2024.

U.S. Federal Census, 1930-1950.

Scope and Content

The Robert L. Atwell Letters are comprised of letters to Atwell, who was at the Naval Acadamy and stationed at various submarines, including the U.S.S. Savannah in Charleston, South Carolina and the U.S.S. Rainbow in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during World War I. The majority of the letters are from his wife, Lucy, in Whytheville, Virignia during early 1919, and detail how much she loves and misses him as well as daily events, like having tea and visiting friends. Other letters were written by his family members during 1918 and 1919 in Richmond, Virginia and detail daily and family events, such as the weather, illness, and visits.

Arrangement

The materials in this collection are arranged by author and subdivided chronologically.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• World War, 1914-1918
• Wythe County (Va.)

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Robert L. Atwell Family Letters by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).