RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – The Library of Virginia Foundation has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in support of a Library of Virginia project to conserve and digitize four small volumes from the five-volume set of Dunmore’s War Public Service Claims from 1775.

These Founding-era government records represent Virginia’s crucial role in the development of the nation.
Dunmore’s War is a little-known event in Virginia history that deserves more attention in the narrative of the American Revolution. The event planted the seeds for the conflict between western white settlers and Native Americans during the Revolutionary War.

Dunmore's War was a 1774 conflict between the Colony of Virginia and the Native Americans of the Ohio Valley. The continued encroachment of white settlers into the valley led to conflict with Native tribes in the region. When the legislature refused to act on a request from Lord Dunmore, the last royal governor of Virginia, he used executive power to raise the militia. Dunmore organized a large force of militia and marched to Fort Pitt, arriving at the end of August 1774.

The records have tremendous historical and genealogical value. The volumes record the settlement of accounts with militia soldiers who served in Dunmore’s War and with private individuals who provided support in the form of supplies to aid the war effort. They resided in a region that stretched from central Virginia west to the Ohio Valley, and from Pennsylvania south to Kentucky. Few originals records exist from this region of Virginia.

“We are incredibly grateful to the National Society Daughters of American Revolution and its membership for this award to conserve and digitize these vital volumes related to Dunmore’s War,” said Scott Dodson, executive director of the Library of Virginia Foundation. “As the premier institution for exploring Virginia’s history, government and the stories of its people, the Library offers essential insight into the forces that shaped the nation.”

The Dunmore’s War documents are in dire need of conservation. All the volumes are experiencing ongoing degradation caused by a conservation treatment known as cellulose acetate lamination that was used in the 1930s, a process that leads to damage over time.

After conservation, the Library will be able to use the original Dunmore’s War documents for educational resources as well as public exhibitions and programming, while digitization will allow researchers worldwide to access the records. Offering access to primary resources for Revolutionary-era history is vital as the country prepares to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.

"The James River Chapter, NSDAR of Lynchburg is honored to partner with the Library of Virginia on this important conservation project," said Chapter Regent Janet Jackson. "The preservation of the Dunmore's War Public Service Claims volumes will allow for greater access to the historical and genealogical information found within its pages."

Funding for this project was made possible through the sponsorship of the James River Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. The DAR grant was matched 1:1 from other private donors to the Library of Virginia Foundation.

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ABOUT THE LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA AND FOUNDATION
The Library of Virginia is the leading source of information on Virginia’s history, government and people. The Library’s collections, containing more than 134 million items, document and illustrate the lives of both famous Virginians and ordinary citizens. Our online resources draw nearly 2 million website visits per year, and our on-site records, exhibitions and events bring in thousands of visitors annually. The Library is located in downtown Richmond near Capitol Square at 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Learn more at www.lva.virginia.gov.

Founded in 1984, the Library of Virginia Foundation supports the Library of Virginia and its mission by raising private financial support, managing its endowment, and overseeing programming that brings Virginia’s history and culture to life. Learn more at www.lvafoundation.org.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL SOCIETY DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to preserve the memory and spirit of those who contributed to securing American independence. For more than 130 years, the DAR has strived to bring awareness to the honorable sacrifices and enduring legacy of all patriots who fought for America’s freedom. Through the DAR Genealogical Research System (www.dar.org/GRS), the public can access a free database of information amassed by the DAR about these patriots. DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical women’s service organization with more than 185,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership. DAR members passionately carry out the timeless mission of promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.dar.org.