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Homer Allison Jewelry

 Collection
Identifier: Artifact-057

Scope and Content

This collection contains four charms and one pin formerly belonging to VPI student Homer Allison. One charm, possibly from 1957, is inscribed "INAUGURAL PARADE" at the bottom and has a "VT" with an image of a lyre at the top. There is imprinting on the back, but it is unclear what the image or text is.

A gold and black charm says "BAND" above an image of a lyre with "V.P.I." at the bottom. There is imprinting on the back, but it is unclear what the image or text is.

One charm that is also gold and black has the seal of the university surrounded by the name "VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE" above "1959", possibly Allison's class year.

The last charm is silver with an orange "T" at the top and maroon lightning bolts on either side The center includes the university name "VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE" around an image of a building, possibly the front entrance of War Memorial Hall. The bottom of the charm is inscribed "INTRAMURAL".

A small gold and black pin reads "SPQR, R, LATIN CLUB" on the front, and "HOMER ALLISON" on the reverse. A small gold chain hangs off of the main pin that holds a smaller gold pin of a Spartan head with the number "55." This may be a high school pin, with "55" representing the year he graduated high school. "R" could represent Richlands High School in Tazewell County, Virginia.

Dates

  • ca. 1955-1959

Creator

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

Homer Allison attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and was a member of the V.P.I. Band from 1957-1958. He may have been a member of the Class of 1959.

He is probably Homer Harman Allison, born to Harman and Gladys Allison on December 30, 1937, in Cedar Bluff, Tazewell County, Virginia. He graduated from Richlands High School in Tazewell County, Virginia, in 1955. Allison died in August 1982.

Sources:

Bugle yearbooks, 1957-1958

U.S. Federal Census, 1940-1950

"Homer Harman Allison" in the U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections/60901/records/19971769, accessed September 15, 2025.

"Homer Allison", 1955 Richlands High School yearbook, in the U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-2016, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections/1265/records/481905578, accessed September 15, 2025.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 box )

Abstract

This collection contains four charms and one pin formerly belonging to VPI student Homer Allison, possibly class of 1959. The charms are inscribed "INAUGURAL PARADE", possibly from 1957; "BAND" and "V.P.I."; "VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE" above "1959", possibly Allison's class year; and "VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE" and "INTRAMURAL". The pin says "SPQR, R, LATIN CLUB", "HOMER ALLISON", and "55."

Source of Acquisition

This collection was acquired by the Special Collections and University Archive in July 2022.

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Homer Allison Jewelry 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 Homer Allison Jewelry was completed in July 2025.

Title
Homer Allison Jewelry, ca. 1955-1959
Status
Completed
Author
LM Rozema, Archivist, and Aly Diemel, Volunteer
Date
2025 (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