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National Visitor Center (Washington, D.C.) Collection

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2017-002

Scope and Contents

The National Visitor Center (Washington, D.C.) Collection includes materials concerning the projected construction of the National Visitor Center at Union Station in Washington D.C. in the 1970s. The collection includes correspondence, records, images, memorabilia, maps, and architecture drawings of the center, which was open briefly from 1976 to 1978. This collection is organized into four series.

Series I: Documents includes materials from about 1972 to 1975, as well as some undated materials, likely from the same time period. This series contains paperwork relating to the development of the project: contracts, meeting notes, planning documents, materials from lawsuits, and Federal reference manuals. The first half of this series is arranged in chronological order. The second half, which includes the undated materials, is arranged by subject and folders are in alphabetical order by title.

Series II: Images contains photographs, negatives, and slides from construction, events held in the space, and a large framed photograph of a model. Although undated, they are most likely from the 1970s. This series is arranged by format and then by subject, if known.

Series III: Newspapers consists of whole papers and clippings from 1969-1977 that reference development, planning, construction, and the completed project. They come from a variety of newspapers. This series is arranged chronologically.

Series IV: Drawings, Plans, & Plats includes a range of architectural materials from 1972 to 1976. There are full and half-size drawings, architectural plans, and location plat maps. There are two full-size sets of prints, as well as a site plan and several specific sections/views. This series is arranged in chronological order.

Dates

  • 1966-1977, n.d. (likely 1970s)

Creator

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.

Extent

5.1 Cubic Feet (3 boxes; 7 oversize folders; 1 framed photograph)

Abstract

The National Visitor Center (Washington, D.C.) Collection includes materials concerning the projected construction of the National Visitor Center at Union Station in Washington D.C. in the 1970s. The collection includes correspondence, records, images, memorabilia, maps, and architecture drawings of the center, which was only open briefly from 1976 to 1978.

Source of Acquisition

The National Visitor Center (Washington, DC) Collection was donated to Special Collections in July 2015.

Related Archival Materials

William F. Drumheller, Jr., who worked on this project, graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1949. Special Collections houses two collections relating to Drumheller:

  • William F. Drumheller, Jr. Collection, Ms2013-007. Finding aid available online.


  • VPI Poster created by Drumheller, 1942, Art-351. Record for item available online.
  • In addition, Special Collections also includes three engineering drawings completed by Drumheller between 1947-1949. These items are unprocessed, but will eventually be added to Ms2013-007. For now, they are available upon request
  • .

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the National Visitor Center (Washington, D.C.) Collection 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 National Visitor Center (Washington, D.C.) Collection was completed in May 2017.

Title
National Visitor Center (Washington, D.C.) Collection, 1966-1977, n.d. (likely 1970s)
Status
Completed
Author
Katie Herring, Student Assistant and Kira A. Dietz, Archivist
Date
2017 (CC0 1.0)
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Revision Statements

  • 2020-10-13: Finding aid notes updated to new department standards. juliags

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308