The late literature and art collector Paul Mellon bequeathed over 400 American historical artifacts to Alderman Library's Special Collections in his will. The collection arrived at Alderman in late May.
Director of Special Collections Michael Plunkett said the Mellon gift adds to the University Collection's already large holdings of historical items.
"This enhances the Special Collections, which is one of the best in the country," Plunkett said. Mellon's gift goes "beyond just the financial value - there is also research value and even artistic value."
The items in Mellon's estate include a letter written by Thomas Jefferson in which he discusses slavery, a very rare bound copy of Christopher Columbus' letter in which he describes his discovery of the New World and Judge Richard Parker's manuscript of the trial of abolitionist John Brown.
Plunkett said students will find Mellon's donations useful for both coursework and research.
The items "can be used as primary sources in classes," he said.
University Librarian Karin Wittenborg agreed, saying the Mellon collection provides a "wealth of material for studying American history."
Plunkett said Mellon bequeathed about a third of his over 1,700 historical items to the University Special Collections and the other two-thirds to the Virginia Historical Society and to Yale University, his alma mater.
Wittenborg said she feels Mellon probably chose to give many of his items to the University since it already has a "strong collection" of such artifacts.
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Mellon also left the University $500,000 in his will toward construction of the Mary and David Harrison Institute of American History, Literature and Culture, which will hold the Albert H. Small Special Collections Library and Mellon's own collection.
Mellon also gave many works of art to the National Gallery of Art, as well as
donating other important works of art, literature and culture to many other public institutions, according to Wittenborg.
Mellon, who passed away in February 1999, was the son of former Secretary of the Treasury Andrew W. Mellon and made gifts to artistic and historical organizations throughout his lifetime. He received the National Medal of the Arts and the National Medal for the Humanities for his contributions to American art. He also was interested in other nations' art. There is a Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art in London.
The collection now is on display in Special Collections on Alderman's second floor.
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