RG 12: Personal Papers of Frank L. Ball, Sr., 1898-1980

Collection Number

RG 12

History

Frank L. Ball, Sr. (b.1885, d.1966) was a lifelong member of the Arlington community, resident of the historic Arlington Glebe House, as well as member of the Virginia State Senate. His list of accomplishments is long and includes:

Public Offices
Member, Virginia State Senate, 1924-1932
Member, Virginia Constitutional Convention, 1946, 1956
Author and patron of numerous Arlington Acts
Author and patron of numerous Virginia State Acts
Member, State Board of Public Welfare, 1936-1937
Member, Courts of Justice Committee, 1916-1924
Democratic Presidential Elector, 1928

Historical Societies
Member, Virginia Methodist Historical Society
Member and 2nd President, Arlington Historical Society
Member, Virginia Historical Society

Arlington Mount Olivet Methodist Church
Author of Mt. Olivet Methodist, Arlington Pioneer Church
Member of 61 years
President, Christian Endeavor
Superintendent of Sunday School for 25 years
Delegate to annual and general conferences
Delegate to World Methodist Conference, 1961
Member, Executive Committee for Northern Virginia Board of Missions

Other Affiliations
President, Arlington Bar Association (two terms)
Member, Arlington Salvation Army Band
Member, Cerebral Palsey of Northern Virginia

Frank Ball was married to Marie Shreve Ball (b. 1892, d. 1980) who was active in the Mount Olivet Church, various historical societies, and gardening clubs. She contributed to the dogwood tree collection at the National Arboretum and was responsible for the gardens at the historic Glebe House in Arlington.

Scope and Content

The personal papers described in this guide are those generated by Frank L. Ball, Sr. and his wife, Marie Shreve Ball. The collection measures approximately three linear feet; the material dates from 1898 through 1980.

Most of the materials arranged in this collection focus on Frank L. Ball's political career, history of the Glebe House, history of Mount Olivet Methodist Church, Ball family history, Shreve (Mrs. Ball's maiden name) family history, and Mrs. Ball's varied gardening club memberships and activities. These last three subjects are found in Series 3, Ball Family Affairs.

The papers found in this group do not represent a complete documentation of any particular activity or affiliation of Mr. Ball. Most of the series of papers are incomplete and scattered. The collection, however, does offer researchers insight into Virginia State political activities of the 1920's, found in the series housing political memorabilia and the 1930 correspondence files, all found in Series 1, Frank L. Ball’s Political Career. Other particularly valuable materials include the history files concerning the Glebe House and Mount Olivet Church, which are in Series 3, Arlington and Virginia History. A copy of the published history of the Mount Olivet Church, authored by Frank L. Ball, is also located in the Center for Local History.

Series 4, Photographs, has many photographs of Mount Olivet Church, the Ball family, and Glebe House.

Arrangement and Description

Record Group 12 is arranged into four series relating to broad subject categories or type of material. Within each subgroup series have been established by either type of material or topical category.

Provenance

This collection was donated to the Center for Local History by the Ball family.

Restrictions

There are no research restrictions on Record Group 12. Certain materials within this collection are fragile and require care in handling.

Related Collections

More information on the subjects covered in this collection can be found in RG 358, Mount Olivet United Methodist Church Records, PG 200, Subject Photograph Collection (Glebe House), RG 23, Eleanor Templeman Collection (Glebe House), and Mount Olivet Methodist, Arlington’s Pioneer Church (VA 287.6755 B187m) found on the Center for Local History’s reading room shelves.