Thomas Balch Library

06/01/2026

Local historian Kenneth Bancroft will present “Reflections on the 250th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War in Loudoun: An Oral History Project” on Thursday June 11, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the lower-level meeting room at Thomas Balch Library.

Pre-registration is required for this hybrid event. Please call 703-737-7195, email [email protected], or register online: https://tinyurl.com/TBLEvents

05/28/2026

Friendly reminder for anyone who wants to learn a little more about the Town they live in.

Want to learn more about how the Town operates and the services available to residents? Join us for the spring edition of Inside Leesburg on Thursday, May 28, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Ida Lee Recreation Center. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Town staff, ask questions, and enjoy highlights including a K9 and drone demonstration with the Leesburg Police Department. Read the full news release for details: https://leesburgva.info/InsideLeesburg

05/27/2026

In honor of Preservation Month, we sat down with Library Director Laura Christiansen to explore a few historic items related to the library's 100-plus-year history.

Thank you to Thomas Snyder from for completing conservation work on the original library desks earlier in 2026.

The Town of Leesburg Celebrates: Thomas Balch Library 100 Years 1922-2022. [Z733 .T462 T4 2022]
Thomas Balch Library. 1923. Addresses Delivered at the Presentation Exercises on the 13th of May, 1922 ; Letter in the New York Daily Tribune, 13th May, 1865 ; Charter ; List of Officers. Leesburg, Va.: Thomas Balch Library. [Z733.T46 A33 1923]
Thomas Balch Library History Files, Thomas Balch Library, RG 7. Town of Leesburg, Virginia Records , 1813- Present.

05/26/2026

Tomorrow, (5/27), Eric S. Larson, Historic Records Manager for the Clerk of the Circuit Court, will lead a tour of the Clerk’s Office and the Historic Court Building. The tour will leave from the Thomas Balch Library parking lot promptly at 1:45pm.

Larson will discuss the extent of Loudoun County’s records holdings; where to look for records of births, deaths, marriages, and deeds; and how to use these records in research.

As a reminder, cell phones and cameras are not permitted in the Courthouse.

Pre-registration is required. Limited spots are available. Call 703-737-7195, email [email protected], or register online at https://www.leesburgva.gov/departments/thomas-balch-library/library-news-events/event-registration

05/22/2026

Thomas Balch Library will be closed Saturday, May 23 through Monday, May 25 for the Memorial Day weekend. The library will reopen on Tuesday, May 26 at 10:00 a.m.

05/17/2026

Andrew Guerrero, an intern at Thomas Balch Library, will present a student talk on “Processing the Goose Creek Historic District Collection” on Tuesday, May 19, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the lower-level meeting room at Thomas Balch Library.

The Goose Creek Historic District encompasses 10,000 acres surrounding the village of Lincoln and preserves a landscape rich in original Quaker architecture dating back to the 18th century.

Guerrero’s presentation will highlight key facets of his journey working with the Goose Creek Historic District Collection (from inventorying materials to labeling and foldering) while learning about the history of the district itself.

The event will be held in-person at the library (208 West Market Street, Leesburg). For more information, call 703-737-7195 or email [email protected].

05/16/2026

Join us for "The Plot Thickens" book club on Thursday, May 28, at 6:45pm in the lower-level meeting room at Thomas Balch Library.

This month’s pick is The Hacienda, a mix of historical fiction and gothic horror set during the upheaval of the Mexican government. Read along and join the conversation! All are welcome.

05/15/2026

Join us this Sunday, (5/17) at 2:00 p.m. for a talk with author David Truong about his new book, Escape to America: A Family Memoir.

Truong shares his family’s journey fleeing postwar Vietnam, surviving perilous conditions at sea, and rebuilding their lives in the United States through resilience, faith, and the kindness of others.

This free event will be held in-person at Thomas Balch Library. Pre-registration is required. Call 703-737-7195, email [email protected], or register online >> https://tinyurl.com/TBLEvents

05/14/2026

Join us next Tuesday, (5/19) at 6pm, for our next installment of the Revolution on Screen Series!

This month's discussion will center around the war as depicted in the television show Outlander, based on the book by Diana J. Gabaldon. Local historian Tracy Gillespie will lead the discussion focusing on Season 7, episode 15 "Written in My Own Heart's Blood". View the episode before the event free with a 7-day trial to Starz on YouTube.

The event will take place in person in the lower-level meeting room at Thomas Balch Library. Learn more about the series here >>>https://www.leesburgva.gov/departments/thomas-balch-library/library-news-events/revolution-on-screen-series

05/14/2026

For today’s Throwback Thursday, we’re reflecting on the recent Mother’s Day holiday by recognizing the important role mothers played in protecting children and supporting public health efforts in the community.

In the 1950s, Leesburg mothers helped protect children from polio and supported community health initiatives through the March of Dimes.

This photo from the Winslow Williams Collection shows a mother bringing her child to receive a polio vaccine. During this era, local women also participated in the Mothers’ March on Polio, helping raise awareness and support for moms, babies, and lifesaving research.