"Defenders - SR [sic] & IL - 1957-1959", 1957 - 1962
Scope and Content
The W. B. Gilmer Papers document the Defenders of State Sovereignty and Individual Liberties in Virginia from 1954-1962. The organization was formed to prevent integration in Virginia's public schools, and Gilmer was a founding member and officer of the Louisa, Virginia, chapter. The collection includes broadsides, circulars, letters, copies of organizational documents, and newspaper clippings, primarily from the Central Virginian (Louisa, Va.) It also contains newsletters and memos from the group's headquarters in Richmond and similar organizations, draft documents from the Louisa chapter, and speeches by members of the U.S. Congress - such as Strom Thurmond and Harry Byrd - in copies of the Congressional Record.
In addition to the opposition of integration, the collection discusses white supremacist perspectives on related topics, such as Civil Rights, "states' rights," immigration, communism, the NAACP, and interracial relationships.
Please note: This collection contains racist ideology and language that may be upsetting to researchers.
Dates
- 1957 - 1962
Creator
- From the Collection: Gilmer, W. B. (Louisa, Va.) (Person)
Language of Materials
The material in this collection is in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Extent
From the Collection: 0.3 Cubic Feet (1 box)
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu