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Library wins preservation support for historic furniture; acquires airport and Rock Spring materials

October 08, 2025 | Leesburg, Loudoun, Virginia


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Library wins preservation support for historic furniture; acquires airport and Rock Spring materials
The commission heard that the library secured a grant from the Lehi Preservation Society to conserve original Thomas Balch Library furniture — described by staff as a desk and five chairs — and that the Thomas Special Library Endowment Foundation agreed to cover the remaining funds needed for the conservation work.

Library staff said the furniture will be conserved and reinstalled upstairs when the work is finished. No dollar amounts were provided during the meeting.

The director reported new collection accessions: the library received ephemera and aerial photographs from a Sam Lagarde collection that the local airport had transferred to the library; staff said they are discussing possible exhibits at the airport in partnership with airport staff. The director also said library staff had visited Rock Spring (also referred to as Rock Springs), an historic Leesburg property now being cleared for sale, and that the family has already donated photographs and papers and sought the library’s help placing books and other materials.

Commissioners asked for address details for the Rock Spring materials; the director mentioned a low-numbered Loudoun Street address (she said "308 Loudoun Street" but noted uncertainty). Staff advised the property is subject to a conservation easement and that the family is discussing further donations. The director said donated books include cookbooks, gardening volumes and local histories; staff flagged that many of the items were outside the library's usual collection scope but that selected materials were being preserved.

Staff characterized these developments as strengthening local-history holdings and as opportunities for future exhibits and collaborations; no formal actions or budget commitments were adopted at the meeting regarding conservation or exhibition costs.

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Scribe from Workplace AI
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