Wendell L. Seldon Papers

1775 THL

Inventory created by Archives Staff 09/2014. Last revised 10/2019.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: Collection is open to all researchers.

USE RESTRICTIONS: Restrictions may apply concerning the use, photoduplication, or publication of items in this collection. Consult a member of the archives staff for information concerning these restrictions. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright.

EXTENT: 1.67 linear feet

DATE:  1946-2017

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The Wendell L. Seldon Papers comprises the records, correspondence, and memorabilia of Wendell L. Seldon. Seldon was the Winchester City Manager from 1967 to 1987. Later, H Governor Gerald Baliles appointed him to the position of Director of General Services for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL: Wendell L. Seldon was born in High View, West Virginia in 1929. He graduated from John Handley High School and went on to work for the City of Winchester. He became Assistant City Manager and assumed the post of City Manager after the retirement of S. Lee Grant. Seldon also served in the Virginia National Guard, retiring as a Major General in 1989.

CITE AS: Wendell L. Seldon Papers, 1775 THL, Stewart Bell Jr. Archives, Handley Regional Library, Winchester, VA. 

ORGANIZATION:

BOX 1

Civilian Conservation Corps, 50^th Anniversary Postage Stamp, 1983

Correspondence, organized chronologically in the following folders:

1956-1970      
1971-1976      
1977-1984      
1985-1987
1988-1989      
1990-1993      
1994-1995      
1996-1997
1998-1999      
2000-2001      
2002-2008      

BOX 2 

Glen Burnie Historic House. Gardens, and Julian Wood Glass Collection publicity materials

“The History of Winchester” by Reed Thomas Nester (appears to be a school/college paper), 29 pages, typed, 1970.

“Winchester, Virginia” by Reed Thomas Nester (appears to be a school/college paper) covering aspects of town management and policy, 47 pages, typed, 1970.

List of Winchester Mayors 1900-1976, with budgets and tax rates – 1 page, typed

Maps of the City of Winchester – 1 page full map, 1 page showing 4 election wards (districts) 1954

Lord Fairfax Community College Commencement -1986 – honoring Seldon with a medallion

Resumes of Wendell L. Seldon – 3 typed pages – no dates

Retirement from General Services of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1991 – Joint House Resolution Press release from Governor L. Douglas Wilder’s Press Secretary

Retirement from Winchester as City Manager (1967-1986) and appointment by Governor Gerald L. Baliles as Director of General Services, announcements, mail, and news clippings.

Seldon, Wendell - Virginia National Guard Service (1948-1989 materials including correspondence, events, and memoranda

Speeches by Seldon – to various city departments, civic clubs, and schools

1952-1972   

1975-1978

1981-1986

Winchester – All American City designation – 3 items: 1 news article, 2 letters

Winchester City Charter and Charter Committee notes – copies of charters from 1874 and 1934; 6 typed pages regarding “proposed” charter (n.d.)

Winchester City Seal – copy of city code and 2015 news articles regarding need for updated seal

Winchester Mall – “The Downtown Mall at 30” – includes materials from WFCHS for a panel discussion of, 5 pages handwritten notes, numerous Winchester Star articles – 2004

BOX 3

Winchester Personalities A-B (folder includes the following):
Barley, Allen
Barr, Walter
Battaile, William
Bell, Stewart Jr.

Winchester Personalities C-D (folder includes the following):
Cline, Patsy
Clowe, Mifflin B.
Demorest, Dick

Winchester Personalities E-G (folder includes the following): 
Garton, Brenda
Grant, S. Lee
Grove, Mildred Lee

Winchester Personalities H-M (folder includes the following): 
Lee, Barry
Marsh, Jr. John O.
Massie, Jr. Joseph A.

Winchester Personalities N-R (folder includes the following): 
Omps, James M.
Potts, Russ
Reid, Carroll
Robinson, Kenneth
Rouss, Charles B.

Winchester Personalities S-Z (folder includes the following): 
Smith, Alson Jr.

Freeman/Burkholder Feud – 4 news articles

Miscellaneous Newspaper Articles – regarding changes in Winchester 2017

Winchester “Pornography Issue” – 1969 – miscellaneous letters and news articles

Winchester Rotary Club – program booklets, 2 membership badges, 1980s

Winchester Star - Publisher Thomas T. Byrd and Wendell L. Seldon Question & Answer Session, 6 pages

Winchester Unification Issue – discussion citizen input 2006, and numerous newspaper articles 2008

BOX 4 

Miscellaneous Shenandoah Apple Blossom souvenir pins from the 1970s-1990s, 2 small apple charms (1 red, 1 gold tone)

“Winchester in Apple blossom time” – unopened record or disc, 1977, written and produced by Daffodil Records, Pox 312, Winchester, VA for the 50^th Anniversary of  Apple Blossom

Plaque from Democratic Committee 1990 to Wendell L. Seldon - excellence in community service (black & gold tone, 10 x 7)

Handley High School Varsity Letter “JH” intertwined for 2 sports: football 1945-1946 and baseball 1946-1947

Plaque from Little League Baseball Association to Wendell Seldon for “outstanding and dedicated service,” n.d. (5.5 x 7.5)

Plaque from Shenandoah College, 1984, award presented to Wendell L Seldon for service to the Business/Management Advisory Committee and School of Business Administration 1979-1984 (8.5 x 6)

Plaque and Winchester Police Department Patch presented to Wendell L. Seldon for “dedicated support” 1947-1986 (blue on goldtone, 4.5 x 6)

Winchester City Keys – 3 black (painted) presentation keys with William M Battaile, Mayor in white print (one has thermometer attached)     

PHOTOGRAPHS:  Photographs belonging to this collection may be viewed through PastPerfect, which is available at http://handley.pastperfectonline.com