Introduction

This digital exhibition analyzes journals and memoirs written by women throughout history in Norfolk, Virginia and the surrounding Tidewater area. All of these books were found in the Special Collections and University Archives at Old Dominion University. These true stories are those of childhood naivety, the tragedy of war, love (and lack thereof), and above all, enormous strength.

Books discussed in this project:

- Memoirs of Helen Calvert Maxwell Read by Helen Calvert Maxwell Read

- Glencoe Diary: The war-time journal of Elizabeth Curtis Wallace by Elizabeth Curtis Wallace

- Child of Glencoe: Civil War Journal of Katie Darling Wallace by Katie Darling Wallace

- My Virginia Childhood: the years 1903-1914 by Louisa Venable Kyle

- My 15 Years in France by Bertha Fanning Taylor

- The River Me by Marty Glenn Taylor

This entire project was put together by Peyton Bradshaw, Spring 2026 Special Collections and University Archives intern. Thank you for reading.