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Viola James Collection

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2023-032

Scope and Content

The Viola James collection contains membership cards for the Women of the Ku Klux Klan, a blank application form, and printed items about the organization. It also includes a small framed tintype of two little girls.

Dates

  • c. 1920s

Language of Materials

The material in this collection is 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

Viola James (1902-1965), was a Clarksburg, West Virginia resident who happened to be a woman member of the Ku Klux Klan c. 1920s. After passing, she was survived by her only son Festus Burrell James (1921-2016) who served as an electictrical engineer for the Naval Labratory in World War II. He was instrumental in developing the proximity fuse for bombs, including nuclear bombs, while working for the Department of the Army.

External sources:

"Viola Ethel Cox James", findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5953961/viola-ethel-james, accessed on 5/31/2023.

"Festus Burrell James", findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/167963443/festus-burrell-james, accessed on 5/31/2023.

"Viola James in the 1940 Census", ancestry.com, https://www.ancestry.com/1940-census/usa/West-Virginia/Viola-James_567x98, accessed on 5/31/2023.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Abstract

The Viola James collection contains membership cards for the Women of the Ku Klux Klan, a blank application form, and printed items about the organization. It also includes a small framed tintype of two little girls.

Source of Acquisition

The Viola James Collection was donated to Special Collections and University Archives in June 2015.

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Viola James 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 Viola James Collection was completed in May 2023.

Title
Viola James Collection, c. 1920s
Status
Completed
Author
Sterling Bryant, Student Assistant
Date
2023 (CC0 1.0)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308