Southwest Virginia, a region deeply rooted in the Civil War, is home to many historic sites that hold the stories of the past. One such place is the Glencoe Museum in Radford, which was once the home of Civil War Confederate General Gabriel Wharton. The museum has recently become a treasure trove of historical documents, thanks to a remarkable discovery made by the Wharton family.
- The discovery was made by Sue Bell, a great-great granddaughter of General Wharton, and her parents in the 1980s when they were selling the home and rummaging through the attic.
- The family stumbled upon over a thousand Civil War documents dating from the 1840s to the 1900s, including firsthand accounts during wartime in Southwest Virginia and around five hundred love letters between General Wharton and his wife, Nannie Wharton.
“We had no idea what we were and things were written, obviously in this old fashioned cursive. I knew how to read cursive, but I’d never read these old fashioned documents before,” said Sue Bell. “We had no idea what we were and things were written, obviously in this old fashioned cursive. I knew how to read cursive, but I’d never read these old fashioned documents before,” she continued.
Sue Bell and her parents were amazed by the discovery, but it wasn’t until a little over a decade ago that she had fully come to terms with the treasures she inherited. She spent hours each day going through the letters, learning more about her family’s history and legacy. Eventually, she created a book with historian, Jack Davis, on General Wharton and Nannie’s love letters.
| Document Types | Description |
|---|---|
| Handwritten love letters | Around five hundred letters between General Wharton and his wife, Nannie Wharton, detailing their love during the war. |
| Firsthand accounts | Over a thousand documents detailing firsthand accounts during wartime in Southwest Virginia and around. |
She also discovered that her great-great grandfather helped establish Virginia Tech, her alma mater. Sue Bell figured if he were still alive, he would appreciate these handwritten accounts of his love during the war in a safe place at the University. She recently decided to donate the collection to Virginia Tech’s Special Collections and University Archives.
“Our goal is to make it accessible, either in person or online. This is meant to be here long after we’re all gone and that is our job, to try to provide that access. We definitely think there’s more to this collection than just the book that they wrote,”
**Highlights of the Collection**
- Handwritten love letters between General Wharton and his wife, Nannie Wharton
- Firsthand accounts during wartime in Southwest Virginia and around
Director of Virginia Tech’s Special Collections and University Archives, Aaron Purcell, stated that the collection is a treasure trove of historical documents, providing a unique glimpse into the lives of the Wharton family during the Civil War era. When asked about the collection, he said, “It’s a remarkable collection. We’re thrilled to have it at Virginia Tech.”
Sue Bell’s discovery of the Wharton family’s historical documents has opened up new avenues of research and exploration. The collection provides a unique insight into the lives of the Wharton family during the Civil War era, offering a glimpse into their experiences, struggles, and triumphs.
