Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Cumming Family Papers, Accession 6922-ae, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Acquisition Information

These papers were bequeathed to the Library by Hugh S. Cumming, Jr. , and were delivered by Ms. Diana C. Kendrick of Washington, D.C. on March 21, 1988.

Funding Note

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Scope and Content

This addition to the papers of Ambassador Hugh S. Cumming, Jr. (1900-1986) consists of ca. 2,000 items (7 Hollinger boxes, ca. 3 linear feet), 1864-1986, and includes photographs, photograph albums, memorabilia, scrapbooks, slides, certificates, passports, diaries, correspondence, a law course notebook from the University of Virginia , genealogical material, legal papers, printed material, and a memorial album for Winifred B. Cumming (1907-1978).

The collection has been separated into three different types of material: miscellaneous papers, bound volumes, and photographs. The photographs comprise the largest amount of material.

The miscellaneous papers include certificates; correspondence; the Ft. Monroe Coast Artillery School Gunnery Bulletins (1918); genealogical material; gunnery notes and related printed material; the High School Cadet Corps Papers of Hugh Smith Cumming, Jr. ; legal papers; a memorial album for Winifred Burney West Cumming ; memorabilia; a report entitled, "Owners of `the Grove' from 1839-1906 ( Thomas Wynne through Dr. E. G. Booth )" by Lou Powers ; newsclippings; and papers concerning the Washington Cathedral Association College of Church Musicians .

The correspondence is generally of a personal nature consisting of congratulatory letters upon Hugh Cumming, Jr. 's engagement to Winifred B. West and letters from family and friends. An exception is an electrostatic copy of a letter from George Kennan to Elbridge Durbow , November 10, 1980, discussing their differences of opinion on foreign policy. There is also a folder of correspondence between Cumming and various University of Virginia officials.

Legal papers include Winifred B. Cumming Trust material and copies of the wills of Birne T. West , Winifred B. Cumming , Hugh S. Cumming, Jr. , and Edwin G. Booth (photostat).

The bound volumes include several printed works; diaries of Hugh S. Cumming, Jr. , 1913, 1931-1932, 1945, and diaries/memorandum books, 1946, 1965-1983, 1985; and a law lecture course notebook.

Photographs, photograph albums, and slides include those from Cumming's service as Ambassador to Indonesia, 1953-1957; photographs of the Cumming and related families; " Carter's Grove " and " Overlook "; the Cummings in Europe and South America ; European Scenes (1919, 1935-1936); Cumming at the Virginia Military Institute ; vacation scenes; and the World War I Era.

Oversize material includes photographs, a map of Tierra del Fuego , and a Virginia Military Institute Memorabilia Scrapbook.