Special Collections
University Libraries, Virginia Tech
Marva Felder: first African-American Homecoming Queen at Virginia Tech.
women070 on the VT ImageBase
Special Collections is located in Carol M. Newman Library at Virginia Tech. Special Collections includes manuscript collections, rare books, and the University Archives. The collection also contains state, local and historical maps and photographs. Our mission is to collect and preserve unique, historical materials and provide access to them in their original form. When possible, Special Collections also offers materials in digital format.
Special Collections Open House Nights
If you've never visited Special Collections, now would be a great time to get acquainted! Over the course of the Spring 2012 semester, we will host an Open House on the first Tuesday of every month from 5:30-7:30pm. Dates are February 7th, March 6th, April 3rd, and May 1st. These events are open to everyone! This is your chance to check out Special Collections (located on the first floor of Newman Library):
- View exhibits and collections
- See manuscript materials, rare books, university history documents, memorabilia, and artifacts
- Take a tour
- Learn how Special Collections can help with projects, assignments, and classes
- Talk with an archivist
There are flyers for the events around campus, but you can also download the pdf here. Be sure to join us!
Spotlight on New Materials
In December 2011, processing was completed on the Judith (Dita) Roque-Gourary Architectural Collection, Ms2011-074. A part of the IAWA, this collection highlights the extensive career of a 20th century architect.
Judith (Dita) Roque-Gourary was born in St. Petersburg, Russia. Her family fled the country following the revolution of 1917 and relocated to Naples, Italy. As a child, she studied abroad in Germany and Austria. When Nazi Germany annexed Austria in 1938, Roque-Gourary was three tests away from receiving her architecture degree. She promptly left Vienna and transferred to La Cambre in Belgium to finish her studies. She remained in Belgium for the remainder of her career. Much of her work from 1941-1945 was destroyed in the occupation. From 1945-1948 she worked alongside architect Jean Nicolet-Darche until departing to form her own private practice. Roque-Gourary specialized in remodeling and modernizing 19th and 20th century residences during the reconstruction period. In 1978, Roque-Gourary created the Union of Women Architects in Belgium and acted as president until 1983. She was an outspoken advocate for women in the profession and a noted speaker for The International Union of Women Architects (UIFA).
The collection contains notebooks and sketchbooks from Roque-Gourary's childhood, documents and drawings related to her work with Jean Nicolet-Darcge as well as her private practice, and numerous publications of her work. In addition, one will find personal documents, speeches, and various ephemera relating to women in architecture. The majority of the collection is in French, however early grade and secondary school work is in German while articles from late in her career are written in Dutch.
A finding aid for the collection is available online.
Other News & Events
Special Collections is pleased to announce a new blog highlighting the Culinary History Collection. Each week, "What's Cookin' @ Special Collections?!" will feature images and historical (hopefully entertaining, too) information about an item in the collection. Bonus posts throughout the week may include quotes, new acquisitions, links, and notes about culinary-related events. We encourage you to ask a question, post a comment, or just visit us to browse and learn a little more about our Culinary History Collection.
Aaron Purcell, Director, Special Collections
Tamara Kennelly, University Archivist
Marc Brodsky, Public Services and Reference Archivist
Kira Dietz, Processing and Acquisitions Archivist
Sherrie Bowser, Project Archivist
Ryan Speer, Digital Collections Archivist
John Jackson, Archives Assistant
Jennifer Mitchell, Archives Assistant
