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Virginia Archives Month 2026
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Archives are inextricably tied to the concept of memorial. Whether collections contain cemetery registers, funeral programs, military rolls of honor, or mourning art, documenting those who came before is part of every archives. Sometimes, even the physical buildings which store the archives are a memorial, perhaps to a former college president, a prominent national figure, or a bygone benefactor.
To celebrate this throughline of memorial, this year's Virginia Archives Month theme is Remember Me: Death and Memorial in the Archives.
ARCHIVES MONTH EVENTS
RESOURCES
Business and Organization Records
Goverment Records
| Institution: | Name of Collection |
|---|---|
| Library of Virginia | Central State Hospital Records, 1874-1961 |
| Library of Virginia | Coroners’ Inquisitions Digital Collection |
| Library of Virginia | Eastern State Hospital Records, 1770-2009 |
| Library of Virginia | Southwestern State Hospital , 1887-1963 |
| Library of Virginia | Virginia Historical Inventory (VHI) |
| Library of Virginia | Records of the Virginia Penitentiary, 1761-1991 (BULK 1906-1970) |
| Library of Virginia | Western State Hospital Records, 1825-2000 |
| Library of Virginia | Virginia War History Commission, 1915-1931 |
| Library of Virginia | Records of the Virginia Civil War Commission, 1952-1966 (bulk 1958-1965) |
| Library of Virginia | Records of the Virginia War Memorial Commission, 1953-1983 |
Military Records
| Institution: | Name of Collection: |
|---|---|
| Library of Virginia | Records of the Virginia War Office, 1781-1782 |
| Library of Virginia | Organization Cards of the Virginia Dept. of Military Affairs, 1876-1947 |
| Library of Virginia | Portsmouth (Va.) Naval Hospital Death Certificates, 1944-1960 |
| Old Dominion University | Burial at Sea, 1959, from WTAR/WTKR Hampton Roads, Va., Historic News Film Collection |
| Old Dominion University | MacArthur: Day of Funeral, 1964, from WTAR/WTKR Hampton Roads, Va., Historic News Film Collection |
Articles & Blogs:
- “Endeavor to Restore Them”: Accessing the Records of Virginia’s State Hospitals
- Ghosts in the Archives: Communing with the Virginia Historical Inventory
Videos:
- 145 Years of History at This Virginia Cemetery (Appalachian Memory Keepers)
- Death and Rebirth in a Southern City: Richmond’s Historic Cemeteries (VMHC)
- Connections Concealed: Family & Slavery in Fluvanna County, Virginia (California State Library Multimedia)
- Grave Artistry: New Findings from the J. Henry Brown Order Books (Library of Virginia)
- Leaving a Legacy: Archival Estate Planning (GLBT Historical Society)
- Using U.S. Cemetery Records to Fill in Gaps on Your Family Tree (FamilySearch)
Support Groups:
(Main organization pages - link to chapter search for local virginia groups)
- AARP Grief & Loss Online Community Forum
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Compassionate Friends
- Comfort Zone Camp
- Death Cafe
- Soaring Spirits International Widowed Village
- Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Pregnancy Loss Initiative
Additional Resources:
- American Psychological Association
- Dougy Center: Grief Resources & Toolkits
- LGBTQ+ Grief: Support and Resources by Eluna
- Men’s Grief Initiative by Full Circle Grief Center
- National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG): Grief Support Resource Library
- Pet Loss Resources by Friendship Hospital for Animals
- What’s Your Grief?
COLLECTION IMAGES
In celebration of our 2026 theme, Remember Me: Death and Memorial in the Archives, the images submitted this year consists archival material documenting places of death, memory, and memorial.
Institutions represented in the album include:
- Bridgewater College
- George C Marshall Foundation
- George Mason University
- James Madison Univeristy
- Library of Virginia
- Shenandoah Valley Public Library
- University of Mary Washington
- Virginia Museum of History & Culture
- Virginia War Memorial
ARCHIVES MONTH COMMITTEE 2026
- Meghan Glasbrenner, George Mason University
- Mattie Clear, James Madison University
- Vince Brooks, Library of Virginia
- Mckenzie Long, Library of Virginia
- Mary Ann Mason, Library of Virginia
- Lydia Neuroth, Library of Virginia
- Ella Swain, Library of Virginia
- Sarah Appleby, University of Mary Washington
- Regan Chancellor, University of Mary Washington
- Steve Bookman, Old Dominion University
- Kate Kalunzy, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
- Roxanne Winfield, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
- Laura Stoner, Virginia Museum of History & Culture
CONTACT US
Virginia Archives Month
Follow us on Instagram: @virginia_archivists
Email: archivesmonthva@gmail.com