Sphex Club Minutes for the period starting September 11, 2025 through 2030. Minutes are added annually to this file as they are provided to the library.
Sphex Club Papers Held At Jones Memorial Library
Note - select papers, minutes, and other club documents have been digitized. Search for these under the "Sphex Club Papers" ITEM SET.
The Sphex Club of Lynchburg, Virginia, was organized on 5 October 1910. According to the constitution, the purpose of the organization was "to promote the intellectual and social culture of its members and to encourage philanthropic, educational and civic progress in the community."
According to a history of the organization compiled by William H. Barney, "the real reason for the club's founding was to give the academic community of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and the business and professional men of the city a forum on which they could meet for the exchange of interest and ideas."
The club, limited to a membership of 35, meets biweekly from fall until spring. An individual member of the club presents a paper at each meeting. Following the presentation, the paper is discussed by the members present.
The club also holds an annual meeting to which members may invite guests for dinner, for the presentation of a paper (usually by a prominent speaker) and for a general discussion of the paper presented.
The name of the club is said to be an acronym for Science, Philosophy, History, Education, and X "the unknown."
[William H. Barney, "A Short History of the Sphex Club," The Sphex Club Papers, Mss., MS1133, Jones Memorial Library, Lynchburg, VA.]
This collection contains organizational documents and meeting minutes of the club and papers presented by members on a wide range of topics.
Text of a lecture to the Sphex Club in Lynchburg. This paper discusses the evolution of medical education, emphasizing the impact of the Flexner Report of 1910 and the changes following the Libby Zion case in 1984. It highlights the rigorous training methods at Duke University and the shift towards more flexible hours and increased supervision in modern training programs. Key themes include the balance between educational rigor and physician well-being, and the ongoing challenges in medical education.
The collection of the office records of Stanhope S. JOHNSON, a Lynchburg, Virginia, architect, includes estimate books, certificate files, photographs, reference files (mostly pictures clipped from books and serials), and files about specific projects, e.g., the Allied Arts Building, the Memorial United Methodist Church, buildings for Lynchburg College, and the restoration of Red Hill, the home of Patrick HENRY. Also included is an account book from his farm.
Parts of this collection have been digitized, including Boxes 15, 16 and 17 related Johnson's restoration of Patrick Henry's Red Hill Plantation. These items are available on the digital portal under the collection Item Set "Patrick Henry's Red Hill".
Stanley T. Hutter Collection Held At Jones Memorial Library In Lynchburg, Virginia. The Collection Includes Genealogical Notes, Records, Charts, Articles, Photographs, And Correspondence Related To The Hutter Family And Allied Families.
A discussion of the effects of chronic anxiety or stress on the body, with reference to specific disease states such as gastric ulcer, ulcerative colitis, headache, heart disease, asthma and others.
The academic paper "Quietas Castra" explores the century-long history of a camping site along the Cowpasture River, established by Lynchburg residents for recreation and community. Initially linked to the Sphex Club, the site, also known as Lynchburg Camp, has been a place for fishing, hunting, and fellowship since the early 20th century. The paper details the site’s evolution, legal challenges concerning river usage, and the intergenerational legacy of its members, providing insight into the broader cultural trends of outdoor recreation in the U.S.
Text of a lecture to the Sphex Club in Lynchburg. This paper discusses the profound impact of Earl Warren's tenure as Chief Justice on the American legal, social, and political landscape. It examines major decisions of the Warren Court, categorizing them into societal, legal, and political changes. Key cases discussed include Brown v. Board of Education, Engel v. Vitale, and Miranda v. Arizona, among others. The paper invites reflection on whether these decisions improved American life or created chaos.
Text of a lecture delivered to the Sphex Club in Lynchburg. This paper discusses Sir Ernest Shackleton's 1914 Antarctic expedition, highlighting his recruitment, planning, and leadership. The main focus is on the crew's survival after their ship, the Endurance, was trapped and crushed by ice. The paper details Shackleton's leadership in securing the men's safety through extreme conditions and his heroic 800-mile journey to South Georgia for rescue.
Scanned images of a list of expenses by T.F. Potter with James Potter for the Colerain Plantation in 1836, This document is part of Jones Memorial Library Manuscript 1141, the Potter Estate Papers, Box 1-2.
The Potter estate included the Colerain and Tweedside Plantations near Savannah, Georgia. Thomas F. Potter and James Potter were brothers who owned and operated the plantations.
In this document, an entry on 20 July 1837 notes "Jail Fees Abraham 3.27" . Other materials in the Potter collection indicate that Abraham was the name of a person enslaved by James Potter on the estate. This entry may relate to this enslaved person and suggests that Abraham was enslaved on the Colerain plantation in 1837.
This document also lists a payment of $10.00 to "Overseer Davis".
