Use of These Materials

The nature of the Hampden-Sydney College Archives and Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. As a result, Hampden-Sydney College claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g. cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning and individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the College assumes no responsibility.

Access to Materials

Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Copies of digital files will be provided for use upon request.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the original records, including minutes, constitution and bylaws, roll lists, accounts, and library records for Hampden-Sydney College's two literary debate societies, the Philanthropic Literary Society and the Union Literary Society, some of the nation's oldest. The two societies combined in 1929 to become the Union-Philanthropic Literary Society, which is still presently active on campus. Records from the new, combined society, including minutes, roll call, accounts, and a constitution and bylaws, are also contained in this collection.