Roy Jay Holden Papers
Scope and Content
The Roy Jay Holden Papers include field notes, charts and maps, and geological surveys and research results, covering the history of mineralogy and geology, especially in Virginia, including work at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) Engineering Experiment Station. In addition to detailed materials on iron ores in Virginia, especially west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, there are reports on mines and furnaces in twenty-five counties of the state. The collection also contains Holden's notebooks, copies of addresses and speeches he made, and records from the VPI Geology Department.
Dates
- 1904 - 1945
Creator
- Holden, Roy Jay, 1870-1945 (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
Roy Jay Holden was born to Harvey Jay and Sarah Diana (Danforth) Holden on October 21, 1870 in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. He married Elizabeth Evans (1888-1967), and they had several children: Virginia S., Elizabeth F., and Roy Jay, Jr..
Holden earned B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Wisconsin in 1900 and 1915, respectively. He joined Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (VPI) as an associate professor of Geology and Mineralogy (sometimes called Mining Geology) in 1905, becoming a professor in 1908. He served as the head of the department from 1908 until his death. Holden died on December 16, 1945, and is buried alongside his wife in the Westview Cemetery in Blacksburg, Virginia.
The Mineral Industries Building at VPI was renamed Holden Hall in honor of Holden in 1949.
External source:
U.S. Federal Census, 1880, 1920-1940
"Roy Jay Holden", Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69582162/roy-jay-holden, accessed April 22, 2024.
"Holden Hall", Virginia Tech, https://www.vt.edu/about/locations/buildings/holden-hall.html, accessed April 22, 2024.
Roy Jay Holden death certificate, in the Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/2373370:9278, accessed April 22, 2024.
Extent
6 Cubic Feet (6 boxes)
Abstract
The Roy Jay Holden Papers include field notes, charts and maps, and geological surveys and research results, covering the history of mineralogy and geology, especially in Virginia, including work at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) Engineering Experiment Station. In addition to detailed materials on iron ores in Virginia, especially west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, there are reports on mines and furnaces in twenty-five counties of the state. The collection also contains Holden's notebooks, copies of addresses and speeches he made, and records from the VPI Geology Department, where Holden (1870-1945) taught from 1905 until his death.
Arrangement
Materials are organized into three series:
Series I: Professional Papers includes notes, manuscripts, Geology Department records, and a CV.
Series II: Subject Files contains materials collected on various topics relating to geology and mines, particularly in Virginia.
Series III: General Files includes correspondence, notes, and information on individuals and companies.
Physical Access
Please note: This collection is in off-site storage and requires 2-3 days notice for retrieval. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives for more information.
Source of Acquisition
The Roy Jay Holden Papers were acquired by Special Collections in February 1982.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Roy Jay Holden Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Processing Information
An inventory of the Roy Jay Holden Papers was completed after their donation. Additional description was completed in January 2011, when the finding aid was created.
- Title
- Roy Jay Holden Papers, 1904-1945
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Special Collections Staff
- Date
- 2011 (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