Dorothy H. Bodell Papers
Scope and Content
The Dorothy H. Bodell Papers consists primarily of newspaper clippings, correspondence, research notes, photocopies of historical documents, and files Bodell compiled while writing her book. The collection also includes an audiotape (1992) of an interview of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Cox about Montgomery White Sulphur Springs, photographs of the cemetery where the Confederate dead were buried, and information about Bodell's 40th reunion of the class of 1948 from Blacksburg High School.
Dates
- 1850 - 1996
Creator
- Bodell, Dorothy H., 1931-2008 (Person)
Language of Materials
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Biographical Note
Dorothy Heavener Bodell (1931-2008) was the author of Montgomery White Sulphur Springs: A History of the Resort, Hospital, Cemeteries, Markers, and Monuments, published by Pocahontas Press of Blacksburg in 1993. She also graduated from Virginia Tech and worked for Virginia Tech University Libraries.
External source: "Dorothy Heavener Bodell," Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26222420/dorothy-heavener-bodell
Administrative History
The Montgomery White Sulphur Springs resort, located in Ellett Valley (near Blacksburg), Virginia, was incorporated by a group of local businessmen in 1855. Benefiting from the popular belief in the restorative powers of mineral waters, the Montgomery White catered to a new leisure class seeking healthy and entertaining distractions. In doing so, the resort joined such other nearby establishments as the Greenbrier White, Old Sweet, and Yellow Sulphur springs. The Montgomery White, encompassing several acres of land, boasted a three-story hotel with more than 200 rooms and more than 30 cottages on the grounds.
During the American Civil War, in 1862, the resort was designated a Confederate general hospital, charged with caring for sick and wounded soldiers. By the end of the summer, the hospital was at capacity, with more than 400 patients. While there is no complete list of those who died in the hospital, the nearby cemetery is said to hold 265 graves.
Following the war and much renovation, the Montgomery White again opened to the public and became a popular summertime destination. In 1872, the resort hosted the first board meeting of the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, and in 1874, Jefferson Davis visited for the Southern Historical Society's organizational meeting.
By 1886, George W. Fagg & Company operated the resort, which continued to be a successful enterprise for some years. By the 1890s, however, the Montgomery White and other such resorts were slowly declining in popularity. The economic panic of 1893, together with undocumented instances of fire and flood, may have accelerated the resort's downfall. The Montgomery White property was sold by auction and the remaining structures dismantled in 1904.
Source: Bodell, Dorothy. Montgomery White Sulphur Springs: a History of the Resort, Hospital, Cemeteries, Markers, and Monument. Blacksburg, Va.: Pocahontas Press, 1993.
Extent
0.8 Cubic Feet (2 boxes)
Abstract
The collection consists primarily of newspaper clippings, correspondence, research notes, photocopies of historical documents, and files Bodell compiled while writing her book.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged chronologically, with undated materials at the end.
Source of Acquisition
The materials about Dorothy H. Bodell's 40th high school reunion were originally donated in 1988. Additions of materials concerning her research about Montgomery White Sulphur Springs were donated in 1994 and 1996.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Dorothy H. Bodell Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Dorothy H. Bodell Papers commenced in February 1998 and was completed in June 1998.
- Title
- Dorothy H. Bodell Papers, 1850-1996
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Kris Borgesen, Student Assistant, and Laura Katz Smith, Manuscripts Curator
- Date
- 2009 (CC0 1.0)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
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