{"id":117011,"date":"2025-11-28T21:49:06","date_gmt":"2025-11-29T02:49:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/?p=117011"},"modified":"2026-07-08T02:44:50","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T06:44:50","slug":"from-cows-to-laws-fascinating-finds-at-the-nvahc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/from-cows-to-laws-fascinating-finds-at-the-nvahc\/","title":{"rendered":"From Cows to Laws: Fascinating Finds at the NVAHC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hi, this is Nina Herzog, the textual archivist at the National VA History Center (NVAHC). Do you know how much fun it is processing collections in archival institutions? Read on to find unique, exciting information which spans across many different collections housed at the NVAHC in Dayton, OH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">VA Central Office Room A-11 Cleanout<\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image117011_82c3c5-62.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image117011_82c3c5-62 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:213px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_82c3c5-62.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_82c3c5-62 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image117011_82c3c5-62 figure{max-width:213px;}.kb-image117011_82c3c5-62 .image-is-svg, .kb-image117011_82c3c5-62 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image117011_82c3c5-62 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image117011_82c3c5-62\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-1-scaled.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1711\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-1-scaled.jpg?w=936\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-1-scaled.jpg?w=936\" alt=\"Cover for the Souvenir History of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers Central Branch Dayton, Ohio Box 57 Ohio file 1 of 2 VACO Room A11 Cleanout \" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-117014\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271711%27%20height%3D%272560%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201711%202560%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271711%27%20height%3D%272560%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-1-scaled.jpg?resize=201,300 201w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-1-scaled.jpg?resize=401,600 401w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-1-scaled.jpg?resize=768,1149 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-1-scaled.jpg?resize=936,1400 936w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1027,1536 1027w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1369,2048 1369w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-1-scaled.jpg 1711w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1711px) 100vw, 1711px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Cover for the Souvenir History of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers Central Branch Dayton, Ohio Box 57 Ohio file 1 of 2 VACO Room A11 Cleanout <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">VA Central Office (VACO) contacted the NVAHC about materials located in the basement of their Washington, D.C. building. Senior Archivist Robyn Rodgers completed an assessment of the containers and determined those materials would be sent to the Center for preservation and research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Going through the state files for Ohio, it was a pleasant surprise to see several souvenir booklets for the Central Branch of the National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers (NHDVS), now the Dayton VA Medical Center. Flipping through the pages, I stopped at photographs of the milk barn and cows. One of NHDVS\u2019 priorities was that the Homes would be self-sustaining. The photograph of the cows shows one way this was achieved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After looking at the National Homes\u2019 Annual Reports, I was curious to find out what specific activities were offered to the Veterans. In a folder for the Wisconsin location, I came across this 1932 history of the Northwestern Branch and discovered their baseball team won a trophy in the local league. This document also answered questions about the daily routine of the Home.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image117011_e194b5-7c.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image117011_e194b5-7c .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:668px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_e194b5-7c.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_e194b5-7c .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image117011_e194b5-7c figure{max-width:668px;}.kb-image117011_e194b5-7c .image-is-svg, .kb-image117011_e194b5-7c .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image117011_e194b5-7c .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image117011_e194b5-7c\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Iamge-2FULL_65046c-scaled.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1643\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Iamge-2FULL_65046c-scaled.jpg?w=1400\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Iamge-2FULL_65046c-scaled.jpg?w=1400\" alt=\"Pages from the Brief History of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers and The Veterans Administration of Milwaukee Wisconsin Box 58 Wisconsin File 2 of 2 VACO Room A11 Cleanout\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-117026\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%272560%27%20height%3D%271643%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%202560%201643%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%272560%27%20height%3D%271643%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Iamge-2FULL_65046c-scaled.jpg?resize=300,193 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Iamge-2FULL_65046c-scaled.jpg?resize=600,385 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Iamge-2FULL_65046c-scaled.jpg?resize=768,493 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Iamge-2FULL_65046c-scaled.jpg?resize=1400,899 1400w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Iamge-2FULL_65046c-scaled.jpg?resize=1536,986 1536w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Iamge-2FULL_65046c-scaled.jpg 2560w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Pages from the Brief History of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers and The Veterans Administration of Milwaukee Wisconsin Box 58 Wisconsin File 2 of 2 VACO Room A11 Cleanout<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After retirement from the Air Force, my father chose to live close to large military bases. This listing of approved subdivisions for the VA Home Loan Guaranty caught my eye. I wondered how many retirees utilized these listings in selecting where their family would reside post-service, which also impacted future employment opportunities and the education of their dependents.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image117011_fcd0ae-6c.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image117011_fcd0ae-6c .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:668px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_fcd0ae-6c.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_fcd0ae-6c .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image117011_fcd0ae-6c figure{max-width:668px;}.kb-image117011_fcd0ae-6c .image-is-svg, .kb-image117011_fcd0ae-6c .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image117011_fcd0ae-6c .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image117011_fcd0ae-6c\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-3FULL-scaled.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2064\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-3FULL-scaled.jpg?w=1400\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-3FULL-scaled.jpg?w=1400\" alt=\"File-Benefits B4-9G Field Station Releases L-W 1982 Loan Guaranty Program Participants Box 108 VACO Room A11 Cleanout\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-117027\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%272560%27%20height%3D%272064%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%202560%202064%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%272560%27%20height%3D%272064%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-3FULL-scaled.jpg?resize=300,242 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-3FULL-scaled.jpg?resize=600,484 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-3FULL-scaled.jpg?resize=768,619 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-3FULL-scaled.jpg?resize=1400,1129 1400w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-3FULL-scaled.jpg?resize=1536,1238 1536w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-3FULL-scaled.jpg 2560w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>File-Benefits B4-9G Field Station Releases L-W 1982 Loan Guaranty Program Participants Box 108 VACO Room A11 Cleanout<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This addition had several additions, called accruals. In one of those, I came across stacks of vinyl records, including six TV Sermonettes records from 1955. This was one of the ways that VA worked to communicate updates, different policies, and programs at the VA.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image117011_d4d680-c9.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image117011_d4d680-c9 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:668px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_d4d680-c9.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_d4d680-c9 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image117011_d4d680-c9 figure{max-width:668px;}.kb-image117011_d4d680-c9 .image-is-svg, .kb-image117011_d4d680-c9 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image117011_d4d680-c9 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image117011_d4d680-c9\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-4FULL.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2349\" height=\"1139\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-4FULL.jpg?w=1400\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-4FULL.jpg?w=1400\" alt=\"VA Public Announcements 45 record Box 115 VACO Room A11 Cleanout\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-117028\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%272349%27%20height%3D%271139%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%202349%201139%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%272349%27%20height%3D%271139%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-4FULL.jpg?resize=300,145 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-4FULL.jpg?resize=600,291 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-4FULL.jpg?resize=768,372 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-4FULL.jpg?resize=1400,679 1400w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-4FULL.jpg?resize=1536,745 1536w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-4FULL.jpg 2349w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 2349px) 100vw, 2349px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>VA Public Announcements 45 record Box 115 VACO Room A11 Cleanout<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dayton VA Medical Center<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In spring 2021, this collection was moved from Dayton VA Medical Center to NVAHC. It contains documents and books ranging from the Home period to the modern-day medical center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a family historian, photographs hold a special place in our collections. This also holds true for collections in archival institutions. This stereographic photograph shows how the Central Branch drew in large crowds, as the grounds provided beautiful grotto gardens to take a relaxing weekend stroll with the family.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image117011_7a58aa-47.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image117011_7a58aa-47 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:668px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_7a58aa-47.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_7a58aa-47 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image117011_7a58aa-47 figure{max-width:668px;}.kb-image117011_7a58aa-47 .image-is-svg, .kb-image117011_7a58aa-47 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image117011_7a58aa-47 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image117011_7a58aa-47\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/IMG5.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"770\" height=\"378\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/IMG5.png?w=770\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/IMG5.png?w=770\" alt=\"Stereographic photos Box 48 Dayton VA Medical Center\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-117029\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27770%27%20height%3D%27378%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20770%20378%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27770%27%20height%3D%27378%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/IMG5.png?resize=300,147 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/IMG5.png?resize=600,295 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/IMG5.png?resize=768,377 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/IMG5.png 770w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Stereographic photos Box 48 Dayton VA Medical Center<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anyone conducting genealogical research with post-Civil War ancestors will find these reports provide an insight into daily life at the National Homes. One can also find many of the reports at https:\/\/www.va.gov\/vetdata\/report.asp<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image117011_f50bc1-e9.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image117011_f50bc1-e9 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:668px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_f50bc1-e9.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_f50bc1-e9 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image117011_f50bc1-e9 figure{max-width:668px;}.kb-image117011_f50bc1-e9 .image-is-svg, .kb-image117011_f50bc1-e9 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image117011_f50bc1-e9 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image117011_f50bc1-e9\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-6FULL.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2333\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-6FULL.jpg?w=1400\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-6FULL.jpg?w=1400\" alt=\"Cover and page 121 Report of the Board of Managers of the National Disabled Volunteer Soldiers 1907\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-117030\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%272333%27%20height%3D%271920%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%202333%201920%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%272333%27%20height%3D%271920%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-6FULL.jpg?resize=300,247 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-6FULL.jpg?resize=600,494 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-6FULL.jpg?resize=768,632 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-6FULL.jpg?resize=1400,1152 1400w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-6FULL.jpg?resize=1536,1264 1536w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-6FULL.jpg 2333w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 2333px) 100vw, 2333px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Cover and page 121 Report of the Board of Managers of the National Disabled Volunteer Soldiers 1907<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Always seeking different documents to support family history stories, the listings of civilian occupations of the Veterans living at the Homes provide these additional materials. I also love the titles of the occupations, as some have disappeared and others have changed to fit modern times.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image117011_801d28-c4.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image117011_801d28-c4 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:668px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_801d28-c4.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_801d28-c4 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image117011_801d28-c4 figure{max-width:668px;}.kb-image117011_801d28-c4 .image-is-svg, .kb-image117011_801d28-c4 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image117011_801d28-c4 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image117011_801d28-c4\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-7.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1451\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-7.jpg?w=1400\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-7.jpg?w=1400\" alt=\"Report of the Board of Managers of the National Disabled Volunteer Soldiers 1907\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-117022\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271920%27%20height%3D%271451%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201920%201451%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271920%27%20height%3D%271451%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-7.jpg?resize=300,227 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-7.jpg?resize=600,453 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-7.jpg?resize=768,580 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-7.jpg?resize=1400,1058 1400w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-7.jpg?resize=1536,1161 1536w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-7.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Report of the Board of Managers of the National Disabled Volunteer Soldiers 1907<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The statistics for the libraries caught my attention; seeing how many books, magazines, and newspapers stocked at each of the National Homes warmed the heart. Also, growing up in the pre-internet and cellphone days, it was a blast from the past seeing how the residents occupied their time.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image117011_1d79a4-15.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image117011_1d79a4-15 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:668px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_1d79a4-15.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_1d79a4-15 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image117011_1d79a4-15 figure{max-width:668px;}.kb-image117011_1d79a4-15 .image-is-svg, .kb-image117011_1d79a4-15 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image117011_1d79a4-15 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image117011_1d79a4-15\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-8.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1486\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-8.jpg?w=1400\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-8.jpg?w=1400\" alt=\"Report of the Board of Managers of the National Disabled Volunteer Soldiers 190\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-117019\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271920%27%20height%3D%271486%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201920%201486%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271920%27%20height%3D%271486%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-8.jpg?resize=300,232 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-8.jpg?resize=600,464 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-8.jpg?resize=768,594 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-8.jpg?resize=1400,1084 1400w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-8.jpg?resize=1536,1189 1536w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-8.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Report of the Board of Managers of the National Disabled Volunteer Soldiers 190<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tracking causes of death assisted doctors in understanding prevalent medical conditions from a statistical standpoint. Family researchers can also use this information for ailments that could be hereditary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Office of General Council Public Law History Files<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are two components to the History Files, one on public laws and the other are topical. These Legislative History Files came from the VA\u2019s Office of General Counsel. They contain information prior to the consolidation into the Veterans Administration in 1930 up to current Department of Veterans Affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image117011_94eef2-fa.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image117011_94eef2-fa .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:668px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_94eef2-fa.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_94eef2-fa .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image117011_94eef2-fa figure{max-width:668px;}.kb-image117011_94eef2-fa .image-is-svg, .kb-image117011_94eef2-fa .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image117011_94eef2-fa .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image117011_94eef2-fa\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-9.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1888\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-9.jpg?w=1400\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-9.jpg?w=1400\" alt=\"Public Law Legislative History 4-4 Quarters - General Part I Box 552 Office of General Counsel Public Law History Files\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-117020\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271920%27%20height%3D%271888%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201920%201888%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271920%27%20height%3D%271888%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-9.jpg?resize=300,295 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-9.jpg?resize=600,590 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-9.jpg?resize=768,755 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-9.jpg?resize=1400,1377 1400w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-9.jpg?resize=1536,1510 1536w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Image-9.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Public Law Legislative History 4-4 Quarters &#8211; General Part I Box 552 Office of General Counsel Public Law History Files<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The file on the housing of VA employees and their families stood out as they documented the moving of existing staff along with their family members from an existing branch location to a new branch and how much it would cost.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image117011_8edad5-a3.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image117011_8edad5-a3 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:668px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_8edad5-a3.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image117011_8edad5-a3 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image117011_8edad5-a3 figure{max-width:668px;}.kb-image117011_8edad5-a3 .image-is-svg, .kb-image117011_8edad5-a3 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image117011_8edad5-a3 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image117011_8edad5-a3\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Imae-10.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1268\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Imae-10.jpg?w=1400\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Imae-10.jpg?w=1400\" alt=\"Public Law Legislative History 4-4 Quarters - General Part I Box 552 Office of General Counsel Public Law History Files\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-117023\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271920%27%20height%3D%271268%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201920%201268%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271920%27%20height%3D%271268%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Imae-10.jpg?resize=300,198 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Imae-10.jpg?resize=600,396 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Imae-10.jpg?resize=768,507 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Imae-10.jpg?resize=1400,925 1400w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Imae-10.jpg?resize=1536,1014 1536w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/Imae-10.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Public Law Legislative History 4-4 Quarters &#8211; General Part I Box 552 Office of General Counsel Public Law History Files<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I have processed many collections over the last ten years. They\u2019ve never failed to aid in the discovery of the unique and interesting information that can aid all manner of researchers, historians, and scholars.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hi, this is Nina Herzog, the textual archivist at the National VA History Center (NVAHC). Do you know how much fun it is processing collections in archival institutions? Read on to find unique, exciting information which spans across many different collections housed at the NVAHC in Dayton, OH.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":105,"featured_media":117033,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-117011","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-curator-corner"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/from-cows-to-laws-fascinating-finds-at-the-nvahc\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"From Cows to Laws: Fascinating Finds at the NVAHC","url":"http:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/from-cows-to-laws-fascinating-finds-at-the-nvahc\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/from-cows-to-laws-fascinating-finds-at-the-nvahc\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/option-2.png?w=300","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/11\/option-2.png"},"articleSection":"Curator Corner","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Department of Veteran Affairs"}],"creator":["Department of Veteran Affairs"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"VA History","logo":""},"keywords":[],"dateCreated":"2025-11-29T02:49:06Z","datePublished":"2025-11-29T02:49:06Z","dateModified":"2026-07-08T06:44:50Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"From Cows to Laws: Fascinating Finds at the NVAHC\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/department.va.gov\\\/history\\\/from-cows-to-laws-fascinating-finds-at-the-nvahc\\\/\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/department.va.gov\\\/history\\\/from-cows-to-laws-fascinating-finds-at-the-nvahc\\\/\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/department.va.gov\\\/history\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/10\\\/2025\\\/11\\\/option-2.png?w=300\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/department.va.gov\\\/history\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/10\\\/2025\\\/11\\\/option-2.png\"},\"articleSection\":\"Curator Corner\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Department of Veteran Affairs\"}],\"creator\":[\"Department of Veteran Affairs\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"VA History\",\"logo\":\"\"},\"keywords\":[],\"dateCreated\":\"2025-11-29T02:49:06Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-29T02:49:06Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-08T06:44:50Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/department.va.gov\/p.js"},"meta_box":{"external_links":"0","endorsement":"0","subheading":"","featured_image_alt_text":"","byline":"Nina Herzog, Archivist, VA History Office","author_title":"New South Associates","external_source":"","external_source_url":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117011","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/105"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=117011"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117011\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":117040,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117011\/revisions\/117040"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/117033"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=117011"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=117011"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=117011"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}