Explore the Archives of the New Dominion
Last April, VCU Libraries launched its Archives of the New Dominion project to locate, secure and make accessible the paper history and archives of Central Virginia's under-documented communities, including the African-American community. African-American organizations and individuals have made and continue to make huge contributions to this region's 20th- and 21st-century history. Yet, their history has not been adequately documented. This initiative takes a proactive approach to their history and archives by working directly with the communities to identify organizations and individuals who are agents of change on behalf of their communities.
One such organization, the Richmond Crusade for Voters, has their records housed at VCU Libraries. The Crusade for Voters is just one of more than fifty collections created by, and pertaining to, African-Americans that are currently housed in the Special Collections and Archives Department. Founded in 1956, the Richmond Crusade for Voters have sought to increase the influence of African-Americans in the political process in Richmond, Virginia. Its goals have included increased voter registration among blacks, endorsement of candidates, and efforts to increase voter turnout. The collection was donated in 1995 by William Armstead Thornton, historian for the Crusade. The records span from 1953-1995 and include minutes, correspondence, reports, newsletters, newspaper clippings, campaign flyers, financial reports and other materials.
--Alex Lorch, Community Outreach Archivist - Special Collections and Archives