Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Corps of Cadets
Dates
- Usage: 1970
Historical Note
Two cadet companies were organized in 1872-73, but the Corps of Cadets was not officially established until 1891-92. The first Commandant of Cadets was General J.H. Lane, appointed in 1872. Commandants have been appointed by the Board of Visitors since that time, except for 1880-81 when the Board failed to appoint either a Commandant or a president, so the acting president appointed a senior cadet as acting Commandant. In 1966, this post was put under the Dean of Students (now Vice- President of Student Affairs). From 1908 to 1964, a president of the Corps was elected each year. This individual's primary responsibility was to serve as chairman of the Cadet Senate. The first constitution of the Corps was adopted in 1908. Both civilian and cadet units served under this single constitution until 1916 when a Unified Student Body was formed (now the Student Government Association).
For a chronological list of Corps units, under their original names, as well as lists of Commanders, Commandants, and Presidents of the Corps, see Historical Data Book 1872-1972.
Found in 10 Collections and/or Records:
Cadet Uniform,
Cadet Uniform Hardware and Insignia
Various Hardware and Insignias relating to Cadet Uniforms.
Centennial Color Guard Uniforms
The Centennial Color Guard Uniforms collection consists of four uniforms that were reproductions of the 1870s V.A.M.C. Cadet uniforms, 4 Centennial covers (kepi style caps), 3 special brass breast plates, and 2 black leather cartridge boxes with a block of wood.
Historical Photograph Collection (List of Subjects)
The photograph collection at Special Collections and University Archives consists primarily of historical photographs of Virginia Tech, dating back to the 1890s. The collection is also home to historic images of Blacksburg, Montgomery County, the New River Valley, and Southwest Virginia in general. A photograph collection of faculty and staff from the university is maintained separately.
John E. McDonald VPI Cadet Blouse
Named/Individual Photograph Collections
The Named/Individual Photograph Collections include images from alumni and former faculty and staff, or individuals with ties to campus and the New River Valley. Collections (c.1890-present) depict campus life and events, railroad history, agricultural extension research, Blacksburg and surrounding areas, and some local families.
Rust-Colored Sabre
Rust-colored sabre with no ID markings. The sabre is mostly made of metal, handle is wooden.
Harry Downing Temple, Jr., Papers
The Harry Downing Temple, Jr., Papers contains materials related to Temple's personal life, interest in heraldry and insignia, and his research and publications on the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. Materials date from about 1872 to 2004.
VPI Corps of Cadets Belt Buckle
This bronze VPI Corps of Cadets belt buckle (n.d.) given to Henry Wiss by Nelson Price is engraved with an eagle holding arrows and an olive branch in its talons and a banner in its beak that reads "E PLURIBUS UNUM" over its head. The eagle has a shield on its torso and stars and stripes radiate around it. There is a silver-colored laurel branch on the buckle under the eagle.
V.P.I. Hats
Various hats from throughout the history of V.P.I.