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Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute. Corps of Cadets (1896-1944)

 Organization

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 6 Collections and/or Records:

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

Bertram A. Holtzworth Scrapbook

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2023-095
Abstract

This scrapbook contains photographs and memorabilia dating 1918-1926 from United States Military Academy (West Point) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) by Bertram A. Holtzworth, who attended VPI before graduating from West Point in 1927. He served in the U.S. Army from his time as a cadet at West Point until his retirement as Major General in 1963.

Dates: 1918 - 1926

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.

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

Uniform Cape,

 Collection — Box 1
Identifier: Textile-1993-007
Scope and Content

Item: uniform cape Desc: original VAMC cape Date: Nov. 5, 1914 Color: navy with red lining Material: wool cape and lining Manufacturer: Blacksburg: Virginia Polytechnic Institute Donor: Condition: fair; moth holes in cape and lining; stains Special Markings: label: T.J. {Thomas Jefferson} Rowe ‘15 {Hampton, Elizabeth City}; measure: 53; J.H. Kelsey, Supt. Uniform Dept.

Dates: 1914 - 1914

VPI Coat with Attached Cape,

 Collection — Box 1
Identifier: Textile-1993-013
Scope and Content Item: coat with attached cape (VPI) Date: 1938 (?) Color: Navy blue with black lining in coat and red lining under the cape Material: wool felt (?) for exterior of coat and lining under cape, the lining in the coat is cotton (?) except in sleeves. (?) Manufacturer: Label located inside of interior pocket has a picture of an eagle on a shield and reads: Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA, Uniform Department Donor: Condition: fair, no hem on the bottom (may never have been one)...
Dates: 1938?