Browse the Collection

A photograph of attendees of the 1982 Black Ball, a formal dance put on by the Student Assocation for Black Unity at Washington and Lee University, resting at decorated tables set up in Evans Hall. Couples are having conversations and a drink table is visible in the far background.

A photograph of attendees of the 1982 Black Ball, a formal dance put on by the Student Assocation for Black Unity at Washington and Lee University, resting at decorated tables set up in Evans Hall.

A candid photograph taken during the 1982 Black Ball, put on by the Student Association for Black Unity, of several men laughing and talking.

This copy of a letter from trustee Homer A. Holt to T. Justin Moore was sent to Washington and Lee President Francis P. Gaines. In the letter, Holt explains that Gaines is getting in contact with other southern schools to battle the admissions policy of the Association of American Law Schools. Acknowledgement from Gaines' secretary is included.

In this report, the Special Committee on Racial Discrimination of the Association of American Law Schools outlines its policy on racially discriminatory admissions and describes the ways in which it encourages member schools to abide by its guidelines. The Washington and Lee University School of Law is a part of the Association of American Law schools, and at the time of this report did not comply with the policy on racial discriminations.

In this letter with enclosed clipping from the Southern Watchman, Publisher Barrett C. Shelton asks President Francis P. Gaines about Black W&L graduates. Gaines responds.

In this letter from U.S. Congressman and W&L Law Alumnus Clifton A. Woodrum to President Francis P. Gaines, Woodrum asks Gaines about three Black students sent to the Officers Training Corp at Washington and Lee.

In this letter, David F. Cavers (who is Chairman of the Special Committee on Racial Discriminination of the Association of American Law Schools) writes to Washington and Lee University President Francis P. Gaines, asking him to comply with the Association's recent action against racial discrimination.

In this letter from President Francis P. Gaines to Trustee James R. Caskie, Gaines and Caskie discuss the public's perception of the possibility of Black students being present on Washington and Lee's campus through the U.S. Army School.

In this letter from P. W. Turner to President Francis P. Gaines, Turner asks about the presence of Black students at Washington and Lee.

A photograph of the main performer for the 1981 Black Ball at Washington and Lee University taken from the back of the stage.

A photograph of the performers at the 1977 Black Ball in Evans Hall at Washington and Lee University. The trumpet player and saxophone player are playing their instruments.

A photograph of the performers at the 1977 Black Ball in Evans Hall at Washington and Lee University. The trumpet player and saxophone player are dancing and pointing at the crowd while the lead singer is singing into the microphone.

A photograph of the performers at the 1982 Black Ball, a formal dance put on by the Student Assocation for Black Unity at Washington and Lee University. The guitarist is playing while being held up by several band mates.

A photograph of the performers at the 1982 Black Ball, a formal dance put on by the Student Assocation for Black Unity at Washington and Lee University. The members of the horn section are playing their instruments, joined on stage by the drummer, a guitarist, and another band member.

In this letter, Washington and Lee President Francis P. Gaines writes to trustees James R. Caskie and Homer A. Holt about the possibility of black law students attending a convention at Washington and Lee. Caskie and Holt's responses are included.

In this series of letters, Washington and Lee Trustees and President Gaines correspond with Deans of other Southern Law Schools. Their goal is to align a group of schools to protest the Association of American Law Schools' policy on desegregation of admissions.

A photograph of several black students dancing in Evans Hall at the 1977 Black Ball, a formal dance put on by the Student Assocation for Black Unity at Washington and Lee University..

A photograph of students dancing to music being performed live in Evans Hall at the 1977 Black Ball at Washington and Lee University. The performers are visible in the background of the photograph.

A photograph of several black students dancing in Evans Hall at the 1981 Black Ball, a formal dance put on by the Student Assocation for Black Unity at Washington and Lee University.