Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434) 560 Drillfield Drive Newman Library, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 Business Number: 540-231-6308 specref@vt.edu URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu
Gerrianne Schaad, Archivist, and Amy Vilelle, Archivist
Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.1990.069
Title
Lucy Lee Lancaster Papers 1915-1989
Quantity
44 Cubic Feet, 44 boxes
Creator
Lancaster, Lucy Lee, 1905-1989
Location
Please note: The Lucy Lee Lancaster Papers are located in off-site storage and require 2-3 days notice for retrieval, with the exception
of oversize materials. Request boxes through the library's catalog, Addison, or contact Special Collections for more information.
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
Lucy Lee Lancaster was born in Blacksburg, Virginia in 1905 and lived there until she died in 1989. She was one of the first
women admitted to Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (popularly known as VPI), and after
graduating in 1925, she went on to earn her MLS from Columbia University Library School. She worked at the VPI library for
the rest of her career. The Lancaster papers contain biographical materials, family papers, genealogy research, correspondence
with family, friends, and business contacts, membership materials from local organizations, and travel memorabilia from her
numerous national and international trips.
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
Collection is open to research.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder],
Lucy Lee Lancaster Papers, Ms1990-069, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The Lancaster papers were received from the estate of Lucy Lee Lancaster in the 1988 and 1989.
Processing Information
The arrangement and description of the Lucy Lee Lancaster Papers was completed in January 2001. The finding aid was revised
when it was encoded in 2007.
Lucy Lee Lancaster was born in Blacksburg in 1905 and lived there until she died in 1989. She was one of the first women admitted
to the previously all-male Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (popularly known as VPI,
now known as Virginia Tech). Lancaster graduated in 1925. After graduation she took courses from the New York State Library
and later attended Columbia University Library School from which she received a master's degree in library science. Lancaster
worked at Virginia Polytechnic Institute library for the rest of her career.
Lancaster was a member of many local organizations and an active member of the VT alumnae society. She was elected as first
president of the Blacksburg Junior Women's Club, which formed in 1935. In 1979 she received the Founder's Day Award from Virginia
Tech.
The Lancaster papers are divided into five series.
NOTE: Box and folder locations of materials listed are denoted by numbers separated by a colon following "Box-folder:" Because
the Lancaster papers are stored off-site, they must be requested three days in advance of anticipated use. Desired boxes can
be identified on this listing and then requested through the library catalog, ADDISON. When requested, they will be delivered
to Special Collections for use in the reading room.
Series I, Biographical Materials, is divided into general groupings of information about Lancaster and her family. Materials
are not organized at a folder level. Information includes personal items such as class notes from grade school through graduate
school, ephemera such as membership cards and poetry, photographs, and materials belonging to other family members. There
are several family bibles and photographs. [These were formerly boxes 1-13 of the Personal Biographical Materials grouping.]
Series II, Correspondence, contains personal correspondence as well as work-related materials regarding administration, reference
questions, and bibliographies. Correspondence is arranged chronologically. There are also many postcards. Postcards sent to
Lancaster are arranged by date, while those she collected as souvenirs are arranged alphabetically by place. [These were formerly
boxes 1-14 of the Correspondence grouping.]
Series III, Genealogy Materials, is listed in two subseries but stored alphabetically. While the focus is mostly research
about various family members and branches, there is also material about family reunions and general genealogy research and
workshops. [These were formerly boxes 1-5 of the Genealogy grouping.]
Series III, Membership Organization Materials, is arranged alphabetically by name of organization. It include papers from
many groups in Blacksburg as well as VPI associations. Lancaster often served as secretary in the groups, so minutes and correspondence
are present. [These were formerly boxes 1-7 of the Memberships grouping.]
Series IV, Travel Materials, includes notes and diaries from extensive travel that are arranged chronologically. These include
initial correspondence sent to inquire about a place, itineraries, journals, receipts for purchases, and photographs. [These
were formerly boxes 1-4 of the Travel grouping.]
These two collections also contain some materials related to Lucy Lee Lancaster:
BLACKSBURG [VIRGINIA] ORAL HISTORY PROJECT. RECORDS, 1984-85. 0.2 cu. ft. Project of the University Libraries of Virginia
Tech to collect information on the history of Blacksburg, Virginia. Collection contains taped interviews, most with transcripts,
of the following Blacksburg residents: Cliff Busby, Georgia Croy, S.H. Kessinger, Lucy Lee Lancaster, George Litton, Howard
Price, Carrie T. Sibold, and Ellison A. Smyth. Ms85-005.
UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY, DR. HARVY BLACK CHAPTER. RECORDS, 1862-1999. 3.4 cu. ft. Blacksburg, Virginia chapter
(formed 1896) of national organization of Confederate veterans' female descendents. Records include files devoted to local
Confederate veterans (including letters of Elisha Epperson, 67th Virginia Infantry), chapter financial records, minute books,
membership records, financial records, printed materials and scrapbooks. Membership application for Lucy Lee Lancaster located
in Box 3, Folder 3. Ms1990-050.
Physical Location: NOTE: The Lucy Lee Lancaster Papers are stored off-site. Boxes must be ordered from storage through the Request function on
the ADDISON library catalog. Box numbers are the numbers preceeding the colon after "Box-folder:" Please allow 3 business
days for delivery to the Special Collections reading room.
box-folder 40 folder: 1
Mexico and Cuba
1937
box-folder 40 folder: 2
Ireland
1938
box-folder 40 folder: 3
Ohio, River/Bus Trip
1930
box-folder 40 folder: 4
Guatemala, by Boat
1940
box-folder 40 folder: 5
Columbia and Venezuela
1941
box-folder 40 folder: 6
Mexico
1942
box-folder 40 folder: 7
Mexico
1944
box-folder 40 folder: 8-9
Peru and Bolivia - Correspondence, Bills, and Itineraries
1946
box-folder 40 folder: 10
Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras
1947-1948
box-folder 40 folder: 11-12
Scotland and England - Notebooks, Pictures, Fliers, and Tickets
1948
box-folder 40 folder: 13
Western United States
1948
box-folder 40 folder: 14
Canadian Railroad
1949
box-folder 40 folder: 15
Mexico
1950
box-folder 40 folder: 16
Mexico
1952-1953
box-folder 40 folder: 17
Alaska
1953
box-folder 40 folder: 18
England
Fall 1953
box-folder 40 folder: 19
Guatemala and El Salvador
1954
box-folder 40 folder: 20
Columbia, Peru, and Ecuador
1955-1956
box-folder 40 folder: 21
Mexico and British Honduras
1956-1957
box-folder 40 folder: 22
Spain
1957-1958
box-folder 40 folder: 23-24
South Africa and Rhodesia - Notebooks, Lists, Postcards, and Correspondence
1958-1959
box-folder 41 folder: 25-27
Thailand and Cambodia - Textual Material, Notebooks, Pictures, and Maps
1959-1960
box-folder 41 folder: 28
Brazil
1960
box-folder 41 folder: 29
Egypt
1961-1962
box-folder 41 folder: 30
England
1962
box-folder 41 folder: 31
Italy
1963
box-folder 41 folder: 32-33
Japan - Correspondence, Postcards, and Notebook
1964
box-folder 41 folder: 34
Mexico and Guatemala
1965-1966
box-folder 41 folder: 35
Greece
1966
box-folder 41 folder: 36-37
Australia and New Zealand - Notebooks, Itineraries, Tickets, and Brochures,