Dates: 1914-2009

Collection Number: MS 62

Physical Location: Archive Room File Cabinet

Extent: 12 folders.

Creators/Collectors: Chamberlain, Bernard Peyton

Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.

User Restrictions: No restrictions.

Preferred Citation:  Bernard Peyton Chamberlain (1896-1983) Papers, MS 62, Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Acquisition Information: Folder 10: Gift of Barcley Rives, August 2016.

Biographical/Historical Information:

Bernard Peyton Chamberlain (1896-1983) was born at “Birdwood” in Albemarle County, Virginia. He began his studies at the University of Virginia in 1915 but WWI interrupted his studies. He served the University Hospital Unit (Base Hospital #41) in France. After the war he received his B. A. degree in 1919 and his LL.B. in 1922 from the University of Virginia. While at the University he was member of Zeta Psi, Sigma Upsilon, Skull and Keys, the German Club, Secretary of the First Year Law Class, was on the Virginia Law Review Editorial Board, manager of the Glee Club, president of the Virginia Union, president of the Jefferson Society, president of the Y.M.C.A., president of the Interfraternity Council, on the editorial board of Corks and Curls, and member of the Varsity Track Team.

Chamberlain began his law practice in Baltimore, Maryland.  In 1924 he returned to Charlottesville and worked with The Michie Company while studying an M.A. degree. In 1926 he is practiced law in Charlottesville with Edward W. Scott.  Chamberlain was also president of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Bar Association.

Chamberlain was also an active member of the community, serving as president of the Albemarle County Historical Society, president of the Charlottesville Community Concert Association, president of the Thomas Jefferson Chapter Sons of the American Revolution, member of the Executive Committee of the County Democratic Committee, chairman of the local Civil War Centennial Committee and of Charlottesville Independence Day Celebration Committee.

Scope and Content: This collection is divided into 12 folders.

Arrangement:

Folder 1: Address on James Monroe

A copy of an address on James Monroe given by Kenneth C. Patty, to the Thomas Jefferson Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution’s annual dinner, held at the Monticello Hotel, Charlottesville, Virginia, 19 May 1961. Also included is a TLS from Kenneth C. Patty to Bernard P. Chamberlain, 29 May 1961, transmitting a copy of the speech.

Folder 2: Stanley Woodard Address on Founder’s Day

Typescript copy of an address by Stanley Woodward on Founder’s Day at the University of Virginia, 14 April 1958. Includes handwritten note of transmittal from Mr. Woodward to Bernard P. Chamberlain, n.d.

Folder 3: Charlottesville Bar Tariffs

Photocopy of “Tariff of Minimum Fees Agreed to by the Charlottesville Bar, n.d., 1p. No source information provided.

Folder 4: Westview Whist Club

Contains records and minutes of the Westview Whist Club, which existed from 1964 to May 31, 1983. The minutes cover the period January 11, 1977 to May 31, 1983. The collection is divided as follows:

Folder 4A: Minute Book, in brown ring binder; also contains two photos of club members, one in August, 1969, and the other undated; a brief history of the foundation of the club; and the club by-laws. Original members of the Club were Robert Kent Gooch, Daniel Rutledge Vining, David Cron Yaldan-Thomson, and Bernard Peyton Chamberlain; others involved from time to time included Frank Enright, Charles Henderson, Pierson Scott, and Arthur Smith. Minutes handwritten by Chamberlain, 107 leaves.

Folder 4B: Miscellaneous documents pertaining to the Westview Whist Club. Includes a list of hosts for the various meetings, a list of scores for the various members and an ALS from Charles Henderson to Chamberlain, 18 February 1966, concerning his participation in the club.

Folder 5: Miscellaneous Papers

Contains two poems about Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and England by Bernard P. Chamberlain, 21 October 1964; and a Charlottesville Daily Progress insert about Chamberlain, 21 September 1982.

Folder 6: Role of the Church in Student Administration Conflict, 1969

TLS from Lockhart B. McGuire, M.D. to Bernard P. Chamberlain, 4 March 1969, in response to a letter from Chamberlain concerning the role of the church (probably St. Paul’s Memorial) in student- administration conflicts at the University of Virginia; also included is a note from Margaret O’Bryant presenting some background about the letter.

Folder 7: Bernard P. Chamberlain and Wine Making

The folder consists of four items:

(1) A Treatise on the Making of Palatable Table Wines Recommended to Gentlemen, Especially in Virginia, For Their Own Use by Bernard Peyton Chamberlain (privately printed for the author, 1931). This is copy #399 of 400, signed by Chamberlain.

(2) Booklet consisting of the primary documents of the Monticello Grape Growers Association, Inc. of Charlottesville, January 1935, 16p. Bernard P. Chamberlain was president of this organization.

(3) Certificate, mounted on cardboard, 7-3/4 x 8-3/4 for 1981 Merlot “cuvee Bernard Chamberlain;” the wine was produced and bottled by the Montdomaine Cellars. Inc., and the label as shown on the certificate is a copy of the old Monticello Wine Company label. A note on the back of the photo says this was the Merlot bottled in Albemarle.

(4) Colored photo, 5 x 7, mounted on cardboard showing Bernard Chamberlain holding a bottle of the 1981 Merlot. The certificate of Item (3) can also be seen held by an unidentified person. Photograph is dated on the back as 21 August 1982.

Folder 8: Bernard P. Chamberlain and Conflicts at St. Paul’s Memorial Church

Contains several documents relating to the politics of the administration of St. Paul’s Memorial Episcopal Church, beginning with a request granted to the Charlottesville-Albemarle Chapter of the Virginia Council on Human Relations to hold a meeting in the church in 1957 and then arising again in 1961. The collection consist of copies of three letters written by Mr. Chamberlain and their enclosures. 9 leaves.

Folder 9: The Experience of Base Hospital 41: Letters of Bernard P. Chamberlain

This is a copy of The Experience of Base Hospital 41: Letters of Bernard P. Chamberlain, edited and with additions by D.E. McIvor and W.E. McIvor, 1990, 103p. Also a copy of Selections from The Experience of Base Hospital 41: Letters of Bernard P. Chamberlain, edited by D.E. McIvor and W.E. McIvor, 1990, 85p.

Folder 10: The Horse in Albemarle County

Contains writing drafts and questionnaires submitted to local horse farms for Chamberlain’s proposed article on horses in Albemarle County. Circa 1969.

Folder 11: Speech given by Chamberlain on No. Nothing

Folder 12: Eagle Tavern Notes

Chamberlain’s notes on the Eagle Tavern in Charlottesville.

Subjects:

  • Albemarle County (Va.)--History
  • Charlottesville (Va.)--History
  • Letters (Correspondence)
  • United States--Army--Base Hospital, no. 41, St. Denis, France
  • Military Medicine--history--France

Record Types:

  • Correspondence.
  • Field Notes.
  • Reports.

Related Collections: Legal Papers of Bernard Peyton Chamberlain, MS 482, Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, Charlottesville, Va.