Virginia Room Digital Collection

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The Virginia Room Digital Collection includes photographs, oral histories, books, pamphlets and finding aids to items in the Virginia Room. Continue to check back for new additions.

Browse Items (47 total)

PC 124.2 Roanoke Public Library.jpg
"Roanoke Public Library, Roanoke, Virginia."

PC 124.0 Main Library.jpg
"Roanoke Public Library, Roanoke, Virginia. Opened in 1952, the Roanoke Public Library building has a capacity of 185,000 volumes. It is air conditioned in summer, and heated in winter by means of an electric heat pump. Situated on the corner of…

PC 124.1 Main Library.jpg
"Opened in 1952, the Roanoke Public Library building has a capacity for 185,000 volumes. It is air conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter by means of an electric heat pump. Situated on the corner of Elmwood Park, it is within the…

IRB125 Main Library.jpg
"A two story and basement brick building with stucco finish, metal roof, wood floors, except basement, which is brick, plastered interior finish, electric lights, low pressure steam heat. Approximately 125 years old. Occupancy: Basement - Heating…

IRB126 Raleigh Court.jpg
"One story brick building, wood joisted roof covered with slate. Interior; floor of concrete with mastic tile wearing surfaces, close plastered sidewalls, metal lath and plastered beam ceiling. Electric lighting, stoker-fired low pressure steam…

IRB128 Gainsboro.jpg
One story and part basement brick building, wood joisted roof covered with slate. Interior; joisted floor, oak wearing surfaces, close plastered sidewalls, ceilings metal lath and plaster. Basement partly finished with concrete floor. Electric…

Davis 15.02 Library Opening Day.jpg
A band plays at the Roanoke Public Library's opening day celebration in Elmwood Park.

Davis 15.1 RPL opening 5-21-1921.jpg
Opening day celebration of Roanoke Public Libraries. Sarah Caldwell Butler speaking at event in Elmwood Park.

Davis 15.11 Roanoke Public Library.jpg
View of the first Roanoke Public Library from across Elmwood Park. The building, known as the Terry House, was purchased with Elmwood Park by the city in 1911 for $150,000.

Davis 15.12 Library Entrance.jpg
Jefferson Street entrance to the first Roanoke Public Library.

Davis 15.121 Terry House.jpg
A view of the Terry House from the driveway on Jefferson Street. The Terry House would become Roanoke's first public library in 1921.

Davis 15.13 Library & Elmwood Park.jpg
Terry home in Elmwood Park shortly after its conversion to the first library.

Davis 15.14 Old Library Building.jpg
Roanoke Public Library as seen from across Jefferson Street.

Davis 15.15 Roanoke City Library.jpg
The Main branch of Roanoke Public Libraries.

Davis 15.21 RPL Storytime.jpg
Roanoke Public Library auditorium of the first public library in Terry home during children's book week story hour.

Davis 15.211 Storytime at Roanoke Public Libraries.jpg
Children gather for storytime at the Main Library.

Davis 15.212 Patrons in Reference.jpg
Ladies in the reference room.

Davis 15.22 Main Library Interior.jpg
Interior view of the first library. The desk in this photo is currently used in the Virginia Room.

Davis 15.221 Main Library Interior.jpg
Roanoke Public Library. Circulation desk and main room.

Davis 15.222 Reading & Reference Room.jpg
Interior view of Main Library reading and reference rooms when it was located in the Terry House.

Davis 15.23 Patrons in Reference.jpg
The reference room in the old library about 1947.

Davis 15.61 Gainsboro Library Interior.jpg
Roanoke Public Library's Gainsboro Branch found its beginnings in the Odd Fellows Hall, formerly located at the corner of Patton Avenue and Gainsboro Road. It would relocate to the current building in 1942.

Davis 15.611 Gainsboro branch library.jpg
Interior of the Gainsboro Branch Roanoke Public Library.

Davis 15.612 Library Shelving.jpg
Basement storage shelving at the Gainsboro Branch.

Davis 15.612-2 Library Shelving.jpg
Basement storage shelving at the Gainsboro Branch.

Davis 15.615w Gainsboro Branch Library.jpg
Early view of the Gainsboro Branch Library. The building was completed in 1941 at a cost of $23,970.24.

Davis 15.62 Melrose Branch Library.jpg
The Melrose Book Station, located at Melrose Avenue and 15th Street. In 1929, the "Book Station" was moved to the basement of Melrose School at 1100 Melrose Avenue. In 1933 it was moved to a vacant store at 1801 Melrose Avenue. In 1948, the branch…

Davis 15.621 Melrose Branch Library.jpg
Interior view of Melrose Branch Library after it was relocated from 15th Street and Melrose to the basement of Melrose School at 1100 Melrose Avenue.

Davis 15.625-1 Melrose Branch Library.jpg
Roanoke Librarian Pearl Hinesley stands in front of the newly constructed Melrose Branch.

Davis 15.625-2 Melrose Branch Library.jpg
The newly constructed Melrose Branch Library at 2318 Melrose Avenue. The sign reads, "New Library constructed for your convenience and assistance by the City of Roanoke".

Davis 15.625-3 Melrose Branch Library.jpg
The Melrose Branch Library was constructed in 1947 at a cost of $19,947.00

Davis 15.63 Raleigh Court Library.jpg
The Raleigh Court Library was located at 1916 Memorial Avenue. The building is now used by Pop's Ice Cream.

Davis 15.631 Virginia Heights Book Station.jpg
Interior view of the Virginia Heights Book Station. The Virginia Heights Book Station was a precursor to the Raleigh Court Branch Library. It was located in the Masonic Lodge building at Grandin Road and Memorial Avenue.

Davis 15.71 Fishburn Library.jpg
The Fishburn Library at Hollins College.

Davis 15.711 Fishburn Library.jpg
Interior view of the reading room in the Fishburn Library at Hollins College.

Davis 15.72 Fintel Library.jpg
Fintel Library at Roanoke College.

Davis 15.721 Fintel Library.jpg
Fintel Library at Roanoke College.

Davis 15.617 Gainsboro Branch Library.jpg
A female member of the US Air Force at a children's program at the Gainsboro Branch Library.

Creasy10 Main Library.jpg
Construction of the Main Branch of Roanoke Public Libraries.

Creasy11 Main Library.jpg
Construction of the Main Branch of Roanoke Public Libraries.

Creasy12 Main Library.jpg
Construction of the Main Branch of Roanoke Public Libraries.

sr162.jpg
Bittle Memorial Library was named for Roanoke College’s early president, Dr. David Bittle. Bittle led the college through its move to Salem and during the Civil War. Bittle was one of three Salem leaders who officially surrendered Salem to the…

MP 4.1 Terry House.jpg
The Terry House, formerly located in Elmwood Park, was the first library in the city.

MP 4.6 Fishburn Library.jpg
Fishburn Library at Hollins University

GB024 Virginia Y. Lee - Copy.jpg
Virginia Y. Lee was the Gainsboro Library's fourth librarian (1928 – 1971). She was born on November 22, 1906 in McComas, West Virginia and raised in Roanoke, Virginia. She graduated Valedictorian from Lucy Addison High School in 1924 and earned her…

GB025 Virginia Y. Lee.jpg
Virginia Y. Lee was the Gainsboro Library's fourth librarian (1928 – 1971). She was born on November 22, 1906 in McComas, West Virginia and raised in Roanoke, Virginia. She graduated Valedictorian from Lucy Addison High School in 1924 and earned her…

RC37 Raleigh Court Library.jpg
Raleigh Court Branch Library, located at 2112 Grandin Road.
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