Artwork
Mural and Other Works of Art
The Thomas Balch Library houses art pieces including sculptures, paintings, and a four-panel mural titled “A Loudoun County Story,” depicting the region’s evolution. Commissioned by the Friends of Thomas Balch Library, during the Library’s 2000-2001 renovation, the mural was installed in 2002 with support from Toll Brothers. William Woodward, a renowned artist and professor won the contract to create the mural through a competitive selection process that involved 300 artists.
“A Loudoun County Story“
In 2000-2001, the Friends of Thomas Balch Library commissioned and gifted a four-panel mural titled “A Loudoun County Story” to the library. This mural contributes to both the Library building and its permanent collection of Loudoun history.
Other William Woodward Paintings
The Library’s collection also includes two additional paintings by William Woodward:
“Perseverance Through Faith and Strength” by William Woodward: Presented to the Thomas Balch Library by the Black History Committee of Friends of the Thomas Balch Library, 2005.
(Photo Unavailable)
Meeting the Piscataway, made possible through a generous donation of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Dodge, Jr. The work depicts the first recorded meeting on April 12, 1699 between colonists and the indigenous peoples of Loudoun County.
Five Portraits Commissioned By The Friends
Friends of the Thomas Balch Library also commissioned Kurt Schwartz, a local artist residing in Waterford, to paint portraits of five individuals who played major roles in the life of Loudoun County:
Margaret Mercer (1791-1846) of Belmont Plantation, an educator and abolitionist who ran a school for girls and was active in resettlement of slaves to Liberia.
John Janney (1798-1872): Lawyer, longtime Loudoun County politician, and president of the Virginia 1861 Secession Convention. Janney was opposed to the secession but reluctantly supported Virginia once the course was set.
Howard Willard Clark (1876-1960): Member of Loudoun County Emancipation Association and advocate for racial equality.
John Elbert Divine (1911-1996): Farmer, raised in Waterford, VA and descended from a well-established (five generations) Loudoun family. His interests included the American Civil War and local history. The Loudoun County History Awards, sponsored by Thomas Balch Library Advisory Commission and the Thomas Balch Library, were created to recognize John Divine’s dedication to the preservation of local history.
Westmoreland Davis (1859-1942): Lawyer, horseman, activist, and politician who rose from poverty to be elected governor of Virginia—the first Loudoun resident to serve as governor; philanthropist and a longtime supporter of Thomas Balch Library (he funded the librarian’s salary for extended periods during lean times.
Artwork of Thomas Balch and Son
Also in the Library’s collection:
Thomas Willing Balch (1866-1927), the son of Thomas Balch, played a pivotal role in the library’s establishment. Together with his brother, Edwin Swift Balch, Thomas Willing Balch generously contributed funds to construct the original portion of the library as a tribute to their father’s legacy. This oil on canvas portrait was created and donated to the library by Russian émigré artist, Lazar Raditz, during his residency in Philadelphia in 1909. This portrait is a testament to the enduring connection between the Balch family and the library’s rich history.
Thomas Balch (1821-1877), this bronze bust on a marble pedestal was completed in 1899 by J. J. Boyle, a famous Philadelphia sculptor. There are numerous examples of Boyle’s commissioned work throughout the Washington, D.C. area.