Virginia Tech Black History Oral History Collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open to research, with the exception of some materials not available to the public.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish material form the Virginia Tech Black History Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Black History Oral History Collection, Ms2003-011, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.3 Cubic Feet
Abstract:
This collection includes oral history transcripts and cassette tapes from various African Americans with experience at Virginia Tech and/or in the Blacksburg area between the 1950s and the early 2000s.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Black History Oral History Collection, Ms2003-011, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection includes oral history transcripts and cassette tapes from various African Americans with experience at Virginia Tech and/or in the Blacksburg area between the 1950s and the early 2000s.These oral history interviews were conducted by the former university archivist between 1996 and 2003.

Biographical / historical:

Dr. Essek Finney, Class of 1959, one of the first three black graduates of Virginia Tech.

Jerry Gaines, Class of 1971, first black scholarship athlete at Virginia Tech.

Irving Linwood Peddrew III, the first black student at Virginia Tech.

Rev. Phillip Harmon Price and his sister, Anna Christine Price integrated Blacksburg High School in 1961.

Dr. James Darnell Watkins, Class of 1971, one of six charter members of Groove Phi Groove.

Dr. Charlie Yates, Class of 1958 first black graduate of Virginia Tech.

Acquisition information:
These oral history interviews were conducted by the former Univeristy Archivist between 1996 and 2003.
Processing information:

The collection was partially processed in June 2024 and completed in April 2025.

Arrangement:

Transcripts are in folders according to interviewee and cassettee tapes are in seperate box.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard