The purpose of the collection is to provide resource materials for individuals conducting local history or
genealogical research in the Sargeant Memorial Collection. The SMC collection contains a wealth of historical and
genealogical research information that focuses on the City of Norfolk, the State of Virginia and surrounding
states, such as Maryland, Tennessee, Kentucky, North and South Carolina, the District of Columbia, and West Virginia.
The collection also provides material on the Commonwealth of Virginia and histories and census information for states
contiguous to Virginia. Our policy of not circulating materials housed in the Sargeant Memorial Collection is essential to
ensure the collection and preservation of historic materials.
Types of Materials
The collection consists of materials that relate to the history of the Tidewater Area such as books, photographs, manuscripts, and maps. Most of the materials that are donated are accessible to the public or stored in a special location in the Library.