Collections : [Virginia Military Institute Archives]

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Preston Library
411 Letcher Avenue
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA 24450
Primary Collecting Areas:
Military history, Civil War, Shenandoah Valley history, Stonewall Jackson Papers, genealogy
Description:
The VMI Archives include significant manuscript and Institute records holdings, with a focus on military history and the Civil War. Our extensive digital archives allow for easy online access to many of our collections.
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Start Over Repository Virginia Military Institute Archives Subjects Commencement ceremonies
Virginia Military Institute Archives

Office of Communications and Marketing subject files, 1950

10 cubic feet
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Virginia Military Institute Archives

Video Collections, 1930/1980

40 c.f. cubic feet

A collection of videos (some amateur, some professional) documenting special events such as matriculation, Ring Figure, graduation, speeches, and other topics relating to VMI activities and cadet life. The bulk of this collection dates from the 1980's forward, although a few date from an earlier period.

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Virginia Military Institute Archives

Giles Gunn papers, 1848/1854

5 items

This collection consists of five letters (dated 1848 to 1854) written by Giles Gunn while he was a schoolteacher in Lexington, Virginia. The letters, addressed primarily to his sister Mary (living at the Gunn home in Washington, Litchfield County, Connecticut), include discussions of interesting local events as well as references to family. Topics include:

  • VMI commencement
  • A detailed description of his school and his methods of instruction
  • A description of the communion service at a local church, including references to black communicants
  • References to the townspeople's reaction to a rumored slave insurrection
  • A discussion of the murder of VMI cadet Thomas Blackburn.

1 result

Letter to Mary Gunn, 1848

Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards commencement at the VMI and a speech by the governor of Virginia.

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Charles A. Derby papers, 1839/1891

0.25 cubic feet Approximately 80 items in 1 box

The bulk of the Charles A. Derby papers consists of Derby family correspondence. Approximately twenty-eight letters were written by Charles A. Derby (dated 1844-1862) and cover the period from late boyhood up to his death in battle in 1862. Included are letters (dated 1846-1847) written while he was a cadet at VMI, as well as correspondence dating from his careers as a teacher and Episcopal clergyman. Two items were written during his brief service in the Confederate Army.

2 results
Virginia Military Institute Archives

Office of Communications and Marketing audio and video collections

ongoing items
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Virginia Military Institute Archives

Robert M. T. Hunter manuscript, 1857

1 items 41 pages

This collection consists of a 41 page manuscript of a speech given at VMI by Senator Robert M. T. Hunter on July 3, 1857 as part of the celebrations marking the end of the academic year. The speech was subsequently printed by McFarlane & Fergusson (Richmond, Virginia) and that published version is also available in the VMI Archives.

1 result

Robert M. T. Hunter manuscript, 1857 1 items 41 pages

Hunter, R. M. T. (Robert Mercer Taliaferro), 1809-1887

This collection consists of a 41 page manuscript of a speech given at VMI by Senator Robert M. T. Hunter on July 3, 1857 as part of the celebrations marking the end of the academic year. The speech was subsequently printed by McFarlane & Fergusson (Richmond, Virginia) and that published version is also available in the VMI Archives.

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Samuel H. Letcher manuscript, 1869

1 items

This collection consists of one manuscript of the VMI valedictory address of Cadet Samuel H. Letcher. The speech was delivered at VMI finals in July 1869. The manuscript contains annotations by John T. L. Preston.

1 result

Samuel H. Letcher manuscript, 1869 1 items

Letcher, Samuel H. (Samuel Houston), 1848-1914

This collection consists of one manuscript of the VMI valedictory address of Cadet Samuel H. Letcher. The speech was delivered at VMI finals in July 1869. The manuscript contains annotations by John T. L. Preston.

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Speeches and addresses delivered at VMI, 1843/1920

2 cubic feet

A topical and chronological file of pamplets containing the text of speeches and addresses delivered at VMI.

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