Abstract

This collection contains the papers of Ralph Minthorne Brown, Virginia Tech head librarian (1926-1947), amateur historian and naturalist. It includes materials on Virginia Tech and local history, including typed transcripts of sources gathered for an intended history of Virginia Tech. Also included are Brown's Blacksburg ornithological and weather observations, a bibliography of Matthew Fontaine Maury, and other writings.

Scope and Contents

Director of Agricultural Experiment Station at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, 1917-1945; assistant director of Agricultural Experiment Station, 1945 until his retirement in 1948. Collection consists of a Daily Desk Diary, which mentions persons and events in Blacksburg and at Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

Abstract

The collection consists of Edgemont Farm record books, papers, and correspondence relating to the history, operations, and sale of Edgemont Farm in Halifax County, Virginia, and to the Barksdale and Hutcheson families, former owners of the farm. The collection includes correspondence between John R. Hutcheson and T. B. Hutcheson, Jr., as well as other correspondence of Thomas B. Hutcheson, Jr.; maps, correspondence, and Deed of Trust with David Barksdale regarding the sale of the farm.

Scope and Content The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence (1913-1919) including letters to and from state and national political figures; correspondence signed by Eggleston as Acting Director of the Extension Division (1913-1916); correspondence between Eggleston and principals, board members and others of various agricultural high schools relating to financial requests, personnel, etc. (1916-1919); correspondence with county agents and state and national personnel connected with agricultural...

Scope and Contents

Artist and former professor of architecture at Virginia Tech. Collection consists of twenty-two sketches and drawings done by Frazer of nudes and scenes of Blacksburg, Virginia, and the southwest Virginia region. Images available online.

Abstract

The William E. Garnett Papers consist of field notes, surveys, reports, class notes, letters to the editors of Montgomery County, Virginia, newspapers, and reprints of publications.

Abstract The Hard Times Blues Collection contains materials about the play Hard Times Blues by Lucy Sweeney and its production by the Dumas Theatre Troupe in 2003. Items include background research, correspondence, and a 2019 revised copy of the play as well as programs, flyers, photographs, and a newspaper article about the 2003 production. The play is about Blacksburg local and Virginia Tech employee Floyd "Hardtimes"...

Scope and Contents The Henry H. Hill collection consists of historical and genealogical research compiled by Hill during his lifetime in southwest Virginia. Research includes Hill biographical information (1941-50), Blacksburg history and Montgomery County (1798-1951, n.d.), VPI (1891, n.d.), Civil War history (1863-1963, n.d.), and genealogical information and biographical sketches (1821-1950, n.d.). The collection is comprised almost exclusively of photocopies and typescripts, so the dates...

Abstract

This collection contains papers include field notes, charts and maps, and geological surveys and research results, covering the history of mineralogy and geology, especially in Virginia.

Abstract Lucy Lee Lancaster was born in Blacksburg, Virginia in 1905 and lived there until she died in 1989. She was one of the first women admitted to Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (popularly known as VPI), and after graduating in 1925, she went on to earn her MLS from Columbia University Library School. She worked at the VPI library for the rest of her career. The Lancaster papers contain biographical materials, family papers, genealogy research,...