John W. Downer collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Military Institute Archives
Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
345 Letcher Ave.
Lexington, VA 24450-0304
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Phone: (540) 464-7566
Fax: (540) 464-7089
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Preferred citation:

John W. Downer collection, 1914-1966. MS 0430. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
3 items
Creator:
Downer, John W. (John Walter), 1881-1977
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

John W. Downer collection, 1914-1966. MS 0430. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection (three items) consists of items related to John W. Downer, including:

  • One cased scrapbook presented to him on his 85th birthday in November 1966. The scrapbook contains biographical information, and documents and photographs detailing his military career, including his service in France during World War I.
  • One mounted photograph of Downer.
  • Downer's presentation copy of the book "Report of the American Olympic Committee, Seventh Olympic Games, Antwerp, Belgium, 1920."

Biographical / historical:

John Walter Downer (1881-1977) graduated from VMI in 1902. From 1901 to 1943 he served in the United States Army and was with the American Expeditionary Force, commanding 1st and later 2nd Battalions, 6th Field Artillery in France during World War I. In 1920 he was a member of the United States Riding Team at the Seventh Olympic Games and served as an American representative on the United States Olympic Committee.

Physical location:
Manuscripts stacks