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 Maps
Virginia Military Institute Archives

Robert E. Lee Mexican War maps, 1846/1848

30 items

This collection consists of 30 original military maps owned by Robert E. Lee. The bulk (28 items; 1846-1848) were used by Lee in Mexico when he was serving as a Captain in the United States Army Engineers Corps. Two of the maps were drawn by Lee and bear his signature. These maps comprise one of the most comprehensive cartographic resources for the study of the Mexican War.

Top 3 results view all 29

"Battles of Mexico", 1847

"Survey of the line of operations of the U.S. Army under the command of Gen. Winfield Scott on the 19th and 20th of August 1847. Made by Major Turnbull, Capt. McClellan & Lieut. Hardcastle, Topo. Engineers. Drawn by Lieut. Hardcastle"

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Leonard T. Gerow papers, 1911/1970

0.50 cubic feet approximately 120 items

The Leonard T. Gerow papers consist of documents and photographs (approximately 120 items) from the military career of United States Army General Gerow. The collection includes correspondence with General Dwight D. Eisenhower, autobiographical material, speeches (1945 to 1948), and photographs. Material complementary to this collection is in Gerow's student/alumni file, which is located in the VMI Archives.

1 result

D-Day map, 1944 1 items

Map of Normandy beachhead, 33.5 inches x 40 inches, labeled "Operation Map of the V Corps Attack and landing on Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, 6 June 1944. This map was carried ashore on D-Day by Lt. General L. T. Gerow, then Major General and Commander of the V Corps, VMI Class of 1911."

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Office of Communications and Marketing subject files, 1950

10 cubic feet
Top 3 results view all 8
Virginia Military Institute Archives

Iwo Jima Map used by BG John S. Letcher in battle, 1945, 1944

1 items

Map, "Iwo Jima Volcano Islands. Special Air and Gunnery Target Map". Dated 1944 November 12. Used by VMI Alumnus and Marine Corps officer John S. Letcher, who played a prominent role in the battle of Iwo Jima in early 1945. This map is a companion piece to a 3D map model which is in the VMI Museum.

1 result

Iwo Jima Map used by BG John S. Letcher in battle, 1945, 1944 1 items

Letcher, John S. (John Seymour) (1903-1994)

Map, "Iwo Jima Volcano Islands. Special Air and Gunnery Target Map". Dated 1944 November 12. Used by VMI Alumnus and Marine Corps officer John S. Letcher, who played a prominent role in the battle of Iwo Jima in early 1945. This map is a companion piece to a 3D map model which is in the VMI Museum.

Virginia Military Institute Archives

James H. Reid papers, 1862/1867

18 items

The James H. Reid papers consist of the Civil War correspondence (18 items) of Reid. Included are 14 letters (dated August-November 1862) from Reid to his parents written while he was a fourth classman at VMI. This correspondence contains many references to wartime cadet life, including the use of the term "rat" as a name for new cadets, hazing, uniforms, food, guard duty, and other aspects of life at VMI.

1 result
Virginia Military Institute Archives

William Couper papers, 1901/1964

18 cubic feet 36 manuscript boxes. In addition, large items are stored in oversized cases.

The William Couper papers document a portion of the life and career of Couper, a man notable for his research and publications about the history of VMI, Lexington, Rockbridge County, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia history and genealogy, Stonewall Jackson, and Claudius Crozet.

Top 3 results view all 6

Maps, Lexington and Rockbridge County

Many of the items in this series were hand drawn by William Couper and are annotated, and/or are accompanied by related correspondence and notes. Some additional maps are filed separately in oversized (map case).

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Patton Family papers, 1855/1924

0.25 cubic feet approximately 40 items

This collection consists of documents (1855-1924) related to various members of the Patton Family. Primary subjects are the three individuals named George S. Patton (father, son, and grandson) all of whom attended VMI. The papers include:

  • Letters
  • Biographical information
  • Bank drafts
  • Commissions
  • Civil War manuscripts
  • A map used by General George S. Patton at the Battle of the Bulge during World War II
An inventory is available upon request.

1 result
Virginia Military Institute Archives

New Market collection, 1894/1915

1.5 cubic feet 3 document boxes and oversized materials

The New Market collection consists primarily of reminiscences of the Battle of New Market, Virginia (May 15, 1864) written by participants and other witnesses between 1894 and 1915. Written in response to specific inquiries and questionnaires, these memoirs were collected by various groups and individuals, including the VMI Alumni Association, author/historian Edward R. Turner, Henry A. Wise (VMI Class of 1862) and Benjamin A. Colonna (VMI Class of 1864). In addition to VMI cadet participants, information was received from veterans of other Confederate units, from Union soldiers, and from a small number number of eyewitnesses who were citizens of the town of New Market at the time of the battle.

1 result

New Market collection, 1894/1915 1.5 cubic feet 3 document boxes and oversized materials

Colonna, Benjamin A. (Benjamin Azariah), 1843-1924

The New Market collection consists primarily of reminiscences of the Battle of New Market, Virginia (May 15, 1864) written by participants and other witnesses between 1894 and 1915. Written in response to specific inquiries and questionnaires, these memoirs were collected by various groups and individuals, including the VMI Alumni Association, author/historian Edward R. Turner, Henry A. Wise (VMI Class of 1862) and Benjamin A. Colonna (VMI Class of 1864). In addition to VMI cadet participants, information was received from veterans of other Confederate units, from Union soldiers, and from a small number number of eyewitnesses who were citizens of the town of New Market at the time of the battle.

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.

1 result

Notebook, 1868/1870

Henry L. Derby's notebook he kept while at the Theological Seminary in Fairfax County, Virginia. The notebook contains course lists and schedules, finances, and other writings. A loose piece of sheet music for "Prince of Peace" and a map of "Paul's Third Journey" are tucked into the back of the notebook.

  1. Derby family papers, 1839/1891
  2. Henry L. Derby notebook, 1868/1870
Virginia Military Institute Archives

Robert L. Thomason papers, 1928/1949

4 boxes

This collection consists of the papers of Robert L. Thomason (VMI Class of 1949B), including:

  • One VMI scrapbook (circa 1928-1949) that contains photographs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, VMI memorabilia, publications, academic records, and assignments
  • One football-related scrapbook (circa 1948) that contains, newspaper clippings, photographs, correspondence, and VMI memorabilia
  • Two newspaper clippings (undated)
  • Four items of correspondence (1945-1948)
  • Seven VMI publications (1945-1949)
  • One map of the Lexington, Virginia area (undated)
  • One football roster for VMI and Davidson (undated)
  • One list of plays for the VMI vs. VPI football game (1948)

1 result

Robert L. Thomason papers, 1928/1949 4 boxes

Thomason, Robert L. (Robert Lee), 1928-2013

This collection consists of the papers of Robert L. Thomason (VMI Class of 1949B), including:

  • One VMI scrapbook (circa 1928-1949) that contains photographs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, VMI memorabilia, publications, academic records, and assignments
  • One football-related scrapbook (circa 1948) that contains, newspaper clippings, photographs, correspondence, and VMI memorabilia
  • Two newspaper clippings (undated)
  • Four items of correspondence (1945-1948)
  • Seven VMI publications (1945-1949)
  • One map of the Lexington, Virginia area (undated)
  • One football roster for VMI and Davidson (undated)
  • One list of plays for the VMI vs. VPI football game (1948)

Content Warning

ARVAS is an aggregator of archival resources. ARVAS does not have control of the descriptive language used in our members’ finding aids.

Finding aids may contain historical terms and phrases, reflecting the shared attitudes and values of the community from which they were collected, but are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical or mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity.

Many institutions and organizations are in the process of reviewing and revising their descriptive language, with the intent to describe materials in more humanizing, inclusive, and harm-reductive ways. As members revise their descriptive language, their changes will eventually be reflected in their ARVAS finding aids.

Limit your search

  • Virginia Military Institute Archives 51

more »

more »

more »