Text of a lecture delivered to the Sphex Club in Lynchburg. Marc Schewel's presentation examined the inefficiencies and high costs of the U.S. healthcare system, which spent approximately $3.65 trillion in 2018. He highlighted the discrepancies between this high expenditure and the poorer health outcomes in the U.S. compared to other high-income countries, scrutinizing various sectors of the healthcare industry, including hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and insurance providers, for their role in inflating costs.
Judge William W. Sweeney's paper, "The Trial of Christ," details the historical and judicial context of Jesus Christ's trial, emphasizing its illegality and the influences of Roman and Hebrew laws. The paper explains the procedural flaws and political pressures that led to Jesus' crucifixion, highlighting key events like the cleansing of the temple, the role of the Sanhedrin, and Pilate's reluctant involvement.
James R. Caskie's paper revisits James R. Caskie's review of Walker Lewis' legal analysis of the John Peter Zenger trial, which played a pivotal role in establishing freedom of the press in the American colonies. The paper, originally tailored for lawyers, is simplified for a broader audience, emphasizing Zenger's battle against the corrupt Royal Governor William Crosby in 1734-1735, who abused his power to suppress true but critical publications.
This paper, presented by Richard P. Gifford, explores the impact of Vikings on history. It covers their origins, raids, and settlements across Europe and beyond. Gifford argues that Vikings were catalysts in shaping Western civilization, highlighting their roles as traders, settlers, and organizers. The paper underscores the Vikings' influence on regions like England, Iceland, and Russia, emphasizing their enduring legacy.
The paper reflects on a pivotal personal experience of the author involving Judge Moon and a trial advocacy class that altered the course of the author's legal career, leading him from aspiring tax or corporate lawyer to circuit court judge. The narrative expands into an in-depth exploration of teaching methodologies in the trial advocacy class at the University of Virginia, emphasizing the integration of legal, Latin terms, and rhetorical skills focused on ethos, pathos, and logos. Judge Cook then discussed at length the life and impact of Frederick Douglass, with an emphasis on the power of Frederick Douglass’s rhetoric to educate and inspire law students.
Text of a lecture delivered to the Sphex Club on April 2, 2026. Stephen C. Smith presents a comprehensive overview of whiskey production, classification, and terminology, while comparing whiskey to other distilled spirits such as vodka, gin, tequila, rum, and brandy. He explains the science of fermentation, distillation, and barrel aging, including mash bills, congeners, pot versus column stills, and the effects of oak maturation. The paper details the legal and cultural distinctions among major whiskey styles, including bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, rye whiskey, Irish whiskey, Scotch whisky, Canadian whisky, and Japanese whisky. Smith emphasizes how regulations governing ingredients, distillation proofs, aging requirements, and labeling shape each spirit’s flavor and identity. He also explores concepts such as bottled-in-bond, cask strength, single malt, and double-oaked whiskey. Ultimately, the talk demonstrates how tradition, chemistry, geography, and law combine to create the diverse “water of life.”
Diary Of William Spencer Hannah. Hannah's diary covers the period April 1862 to April 1865 and describes troop movements of the 46th Virginia Infantry during the U.S. Civil War.
Woman's Club of Lynchburg Papers.
Digitized images of selected documents from The Woman's Club of Lynchburg Papers, Manuscript collection 1137 at Jones Memorial Library including the school survey project.
Digitized papers include correspondence from Box 3, Folder 6.
Please note that these materials may be under copyright and should not be reproduced or disseminated without written permission of the library.
Judge William W. Sweeney retells the story of “the Wreck of the Old 97.” He explores what happened before the wreck that brought a new crew to the train. He then looks at the possible reasons for the train’s derailment. Sweeney concludes by discussing the famous people who have sung about the wreck of the Old 97.
Theatre Programs Collection Held At Jones Memorial Library In Lynchburg, Virginia. The Collections Includes Programs From Performing Arts Events In The Area, Plus Newsletters, Clippings, And Sheet Music From The 1800S To 1969.
Scanned image of a postcard sent to Jones Memorial Library regarding racial segregation of library facilities. The card was sent from Connecticut and the text read "We have heard on radio over & over again that students of Colored Theological Seminary of Lynchburg are not allowed to use facilities of public library. It is hard to believe that such a condition can exist in the U.S.A."
This item is part of Jones Memorial Library Manuscript Collection 1396, the Dunbar High School Library Papers.
On January 23, 2025, Christina Delzingaro shared a deeply personal and scholarly exploration of Romani identity, migration, and marginalization. Her talk traced Roma roots in India, their global diaspora, and centuries of persecution—including enslavement and genocide. Delzingaro highlighted cultural resilience, misconceptions, and her own family’s experience, urging recognition of Roma as a historically silenced but enduring ethnic group within American and global society.
