About the library
Thomas Balch Library
Thomas Balch Library focuses on the history and genealogy of Loudoun County and Virginia. This library concentrates on military history with special emphasis on the American Civil War and ethnic heritage. This exceptional resource is owned and operated by the Town of Leesburg and the Friends of Thomas Balch Library support these programs. The Friends’ Black History Committee has grown into a leading research and outreach organization which actively advances the knowledge of African-American heritage in the region.
The Thomas Balch collections includes a wide variety of materials, such as bible records, books, broadsides, business records, deeds, wills, census and cemetery records, government records, electronic journals, genealogical notes, historic house files, magazines, maps, newspapers, oral histories, organization records, paintings, personal papers, photographs, postcards, posters, rare books, and more.
For more information, hours, and programs, visit the Thomas Balch Library website (managed by the Town of Leesburg).
Est 1922
History of the Library
The Library is named for Thomas Balch, who was born in Leesburg in 1821, the son of Judge Lewis P. Balch and Elizabeth Weaver. At age 5, he moved with his family to Frederick, Maryland, and later to Philadelphia. A noted attorney of his day, Thomas Balch was also a student of history, becoming a corresponding member of numerous historical societies. He earned his own niche in history at the close of the American Civil War when his plan for resolution of the famous “Alabama Claims” resulted in a $15 million settlement for the United States against Great Britain and earned him the title of “Father of International Arbitration.”
The sons of Thomas Balch, Edwin Swift Balch and Thomas Willing Balch, dedicated the Thomas Balch Library to their Father in 1922. They contributed $10,000 towards the construction of this public library, honoring their father’s memory by establishing it in the town where he was born. In recognition of Thomas Balch’s lifelong love of history, the library was dedicated with a special requirement—that it maintain and foster a section dedicated to local history.
Collections & Research
To access the library resources, visit the Thomas Balch Library website (managed by the Town of Leesburg).
Catalog
The Thomas Balch Library catalog is combined with Loudoun County Public Library catalogs.
Library Services
The Thomas Balch Library offers a wide variety of services to the Leesburg community.
Databases & Electronic Resources
The Thomas Balch Library offers databases and electronic resources for patrons.
Pathfinders
The Thomas Balch Library Pathfinders are designed to introduce users to a selection of the Library’s materials relating to a specific research topic.
Special Collections
The Thomas Balch Library’s special collections include a wide variety of rare and unique materials, including original manuscripts, archives, book indices, census and cemetery records, deeds and wills, historic house files, maps, and more.
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.
Building
The library building was designed by the noted Washington architect Waddy Wood. Wood is known for the design of the Woodrow Wilson House and Federal Triangle. The building features Georgian Revival style architecture.
In May 2001, a rededication ceremony was held to commemorate a new addition and the renovation of the Library. The Thomas Balch Advisory Commission and the Town of Leesburg chose the Bowie Gridley Architects firm of Washington, DC. A plaque at the Thomas Balch Library to Bowie Gridley reads: “Washington Chapter, The American Institute of Architects Merit Award—Outstanding Achievement in Historic Resources, Thomas Balch Library, November 9, 2002. Bowie Gridley Architects.” The certificate hangs in the foyer at the Library.
Stewardship
Thomas Balch Library Commission advises the Library director on collection development and policies, and it works with the Friends to promote and support Library programs and collections. Each year, the commission sponsors the annual “Loudoun History Awards” and the “Excellence in Historical Research” at the Loudoun County Public School Social Science Fair.