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| Thomas Balch Library | ||
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Thomas Balch Library is a history and genealogy library owned and operated by the Town of Leesburg. Collections focus on Loudoun County, regional and Virginia history, genealogy, military history with special emphasis on the American Civil War, and ethnic history. It is designated as an Underground Railroad research site.
The library was established and dedicated May 13, 1922 as a memorial tribute to Thomas Balch (1821-1877), a native of Leesburg. The library operated with money from an endowment established by Thomas Willing Balch and Edwin Swift Balch, sons of Thomas Balch. In the late 1960’s it became a branch of the Loudoun County Public Library system serving the community as a full service public library. In 1994-1995 the county transferred ownership of the library to the Town of Leesburg to be operated as a history and genealogy library. The original building was designed by noted Washington DC architect Waddy B. Wood. In 2000 renovations and a sympathetic two floor addition, designed by Bowie Gridley doubled the library’s size. Interior enhancements include murals depicting local history, portraits of distinguished local figures and Thomas Moser furniture.
One of the library’s missions is collecting and preserving printed, manuscript, photographic, cartographic and genealogical documentation of Leesburg, Loudoun County and the surrounding region. The library actively seeks and welcomes donations of original business records, diaries, correspondence and photographs (with identification) documenting the life, culture and history of Leesburg and Loudoun County.
Library collections include over twenty eight thousand books and periodicals, maps, visual collections, newspapers, and manuscripts. The library offers lectures on history and genealogy, classes, and exhibits. Group tours and orientations are available on request and books about local history are available for purchase on-site.
Friends of the Thomas Balch Library support the library by fund-raising, collection development and program planning. Visit their website at www.balchfriends.org.
The Thomas Balch Advisory Commission meets at the Library the second Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. The public is invited.
We participate in the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA).
