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Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Corps of Cadets (1944-1970)

 Organization

Dates

  • Usage: 1944 - 1970

Administrative History

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 11 Collections and/or Records:

Blue Blouse and Trousers,

 Collection — Box 1
Identifier: Textile-1993-018
Scope and Content Item: blue blouse and trousers Date: 1960’s Uniform left in the military department. Received 25 September 1975, note attached says Trapp 1960.BLUE BLOUSE Color: navy blue/black lining Material: [wool blend] [satin] lining Manufacturer: Blacksburg VA: Virginia Polytechnic Institute Uniform Department Condition: Holes in collar where gold pins had been, stitching left in the inside back of the collar where button had been. Holes in the back of lower sleeve underneath black...
Dates: 1960s
Found in: Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech / Blue Blouse and Trousers,

Blue Blouse and Trousers,

 Collection — Box 1
Identifier: Textile-1993-019
Scope and Content Item: blue blouse/trousers Date: 1960’s Uniform left in military department, received in spec 25 September 1975BLOUSE Color: navy blue/ black lining Material: [wool blend] [satin] black lining Manufacturer: Blacksburg VA: Virginia Polytechnic Institute Uniform Department Condition: Snags on the collar where pins had been. Seams and stitching slightly unraveling around collar. Holes under the black strip on both sleeves where [bottom] [chord holder] had been. Special...
Dates: 1960s
Found in: Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech / Blue Blouse and Trousers,

Blue Blouse and Trousers (2 pair),

 Collection — Box 1
Identifier: Textile-1993-015
Scope and Content Item: blue blouse, trousers (2 pair) Date: 1920BLUE BLOUSE Color: navy blue with black lining Material: wool blend, satin lining (?) Manufacturer: Blacksburg: Virginia Polytechnic Institute Uniform Department Condition: stitching and lining worn in collar, worn patch on the front right side as well as a small spot on right sleeve (could be a moth hole) Special Markings: black outline down the center, around the collar, along the bottom, around the sleeve at the bottom and...
Dates: 1920 - 1920
Found in: Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech / Blue Blouse and Trousers (2 pair),

Cadet Hats,

 Collection — Box 1
Identifier: Textile-2000-003
Dates: n.d.
Found in: Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech / Cadet Hats,

Cadet Uniform,

 Collection — Box 1
Identifier: Textile-1993-010
Scope and Content Item: cadet uniform Desc: cadet blouse and trousers Date: ? Color: navy blue blouse and blue gray trousers Material: blouse: wool blend with black satin (?), trousers: white cotton waist band and pockets Manufacturer: Blacksburg: Virginia Polytechnic Uniform Department Donor: Condition: good, three buttons missing from inside of collar, small mend on back of blouse; back left pocket stained inside and worn Special Markings: Black stripe trim. Two stripes up back. Black plastic...
Dates: n.d.
Found in: Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech / Cadet Uniform,

Cadet Uniform Blouse,

 Collection — Box 1
Identifier: Textile-1993-009
Scope and Content Item: cadet uniform blouse Desc: original uniform blouse Date: post 1918 (1920’s) Color: navy blue with black lining; sleeves lined with off white Material: wool; (?) lining; sleeve lining: cotton (?) Manufacturer: Virginia Polytechnic Institute Uniform Dept. V.E. Kelsey, Supt. Donor: Condition: top hook torn off; some stains; worn on back Special Markings: label: Mr. John E. McDonald {John Early McDonald, class of 1927, Private Company E?}, Date 34-{31?}-{39}. Numbers 27 1/2...
Dates: c.1920s
Found in: Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech / Cadet Uniform Blouse,

Maroon Corps of Cadet sashes,

 Collection — Box 1
Identifier: Textile-2015-002
Scope and Content

Notes attached to box items were found in read: "Corps Maroon Sashes" and "Maroon sashes from the Tailor Shop."

Dates: n.d.
Found in: Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech / Maroon Corps of Cadet sashes,

Overcoat with Attached Cape,

 Collection — Box 1
Identifier: Textile-1993-016
Scope and Content Item: overcoat with attached cape Date: [1920] Color: navy [cadet] blue, red on underside of cape, darker blue lining except in sleeves (black) Material: [wool blend], [cotton] lining in coat, [satin] lining in sleeves Manufacturer: Condition: white strings coming through the lining, a few very small worn spots and stains, gold strip coming off right sleeve, small holes near inner pocket Special Markings: silver colored metal chain sewn into the interior back of the collar, 8 gold...
Dates: 1920 - 1920
Found in: Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech / Overcoat with Attached Cape,

Harry Downing Temple Jr., Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1988-039
Abstract

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.

Dates: 1872 - 2004; Majority of material found within 1930 - 2001
Found in: Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech / Harry Downing Temple Jr., Papers

VPI Cape,

 Collection — Box 1
Identifier: Textile-1993-014
Scope and Content Item: cape (VPI) Date: 10-23-14 Color: navy blue with red lining Material: wool felt (?) lining - wool Manufacturer: Blacksburg: Virginia Polytechnic Institute, J.H. Kelsey, Supt., Uniform Department Donor: Condition: fair, stains and holes in lining as well as exterior, [frog] on right side is missing Special Markings: label reads: Mr. Byrne Capt. (?), measure 49-38-15, date 10-23-14 (William Hale Byrne, class of 1915, East Falls Church, Fairfax), inside piece of cloth that buttons...
Dates: 1914 - 1914
Found in: Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech / VPI Cape,

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