Henry H. Hill Collection
Scope and Content
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 (1941-1950), Blacksburg history and Montgomery County (1798-1951, n.d.), Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI; 1891-1952, n.d.), American Civil War history (1863-1963, n.d.), and genealogical information and biographical sketches (1821-1950, n.d.). These materials comprise almost exclusively of photocopies and typescripts, so the dates reflected above are from the original source of the typescript and not the actual dates of the material. The dates of the material are included in the contents list.
Additionally, glass plate negatives and film negatives depict VPI campus views, cadet life, individuals, art works, and VPI footballs players, teams, and events.
Dates
- 1893-1963, n.d.
Creator
- Hill, Henry Harris, 1880-1954 (Collector, Person)
Language of Materials
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Biographical Note
A native of Scottsville, Virginia, Henry Harris "Bunker" Hill was associated with Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) as a student and professor for more than half a century. He received his B.S. in Chemistry in 1907, and his M.S. in the same subject in 1909. In 1907, Hill was appointed Assistant Chemist, and in 1913 Associate Chemist of the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station. Before retiring from VPI in 1950, he served seven years as the head of the Agricultural Chemistry department.
Henry Hill was involved in the community, serving as Elder in the Presbyterian church, as well as being an officer in the Montgomery County Democratic Committee for several years. Hill also served as the Executive Secretary of the VPI Alumni Association, along with being the publicist for the Athletic Association.
Hill was born to Richard Allen and Mary (Harris) Hill on May 31, 1880, in Scottsville, Virginia. He married Olivia C. "Dibbie" Tutwiler (1899-1974) on June 13, 1922, and they had a daughter, Meta Turwiler Hill (1923-2017). He died on December 24, 1954, and is buried alongside his wife in Westview Cemetery in Blacksburg.
External Sources:
"H. H. Hill" in the Virginia, U.S., Select Marriages, 1785-1940, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/2756449:60214, accessed April 2, 2024.
"Henry Harris Hill" in the Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/2094725:9278, accessed April 2, 2024.
"Henry Harris 'Bunker' Hill", Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/111532411/henry-harris-hill, accessed April 2, 2024.
Extent
1.0 Cubic Feet (5 boxes)
Abstract
The Henry H. Hill collection consists of historical and genealogical research compiled by Hill during his lifetime in southwest Virginia. Hill (1880-1954) was an alumni and professor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
Arrangement
In 2017, this collection was arranged into series based on the previous organzation by material types.
Series I: Henry H. Hill Biographical Information, 1941-1943, n.d., includes a folder of biographical materials about Hill, created in the early 1940s.
Series II: Blacksburg History and Montgomery County, 1936-1951, n.d., contains compliled research notes on local history, primarily photocopies.
Series III: Virginia Polytechnic Institute, 1895-1913, 1950-1952, n.d., includes research files on the history of the university, in particular, the case of three dismissed faculty members in 1891. This series also contains the collection of glass plate and film negatives.
Series IV: Genealogical Information, 1821, 1939-1950, n.d., consists of photocopies and typscripts of research on a number of local/regional families, including, but not limited to: Appersons, Blacks, Prices, and Prestons.
Series V: Subject Files, 1863-1963, n.d., comprises research materials (again, mostly photocopies and typescripts) realting to local Civil War history and other topics of interest to Hill.
Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated to Special Collections in May 1980. Additional materials were received in the early 2000s.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Henry H. Hill Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Henry H. Hill Collection was completed in 2004. Additional materials were integrated in 2017, and the arrangement was updated.
- Blacksburg (Va.)
- Civil War
- Faculty and staff
- Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
- Montgomery County (Va.)
- Students and alumni
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- University History
- Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (1896-1944)
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute (1944-1970)
- Title
- Henry H. Hill Collection ,1893-1963, n.d.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Clayton McGahee, Staff
- Date
- 2004 (CC0 1.0)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu