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This collection consists of one letter from Edmund Berkeley to his mother Mary Lawson Berkeley (Williams). Berkeley has been informed of his sister's death and offers consolation to his mother. He also gives VMI news and complains about the food (early reference to "growley" a VMI slang word used for mess hall food).

This collection consists of one letter (September 17, 1868) written by Edward M. Watson to his father. Watson describes in detail the typical daily new cadet routine at VMI during the post-Civil War years. Topics include reveille, roll call, inspections, meals, study, recitation, drill, and parade. The letter contains one of the earliest documented examples of term "rat" as a reference to a new cadet.

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.

The material in this sub-series is related to the Biennial meeting and conference.

The Thomas B. Davis papers contain two items. The first is a letter (dated March 22, 1863) from Davis to his sister, Camillus Christian. This letter was written while Davis was a cadet at VMI. In this letter he mentions activities at VMI, Civil War news ("a considerable cavalry fight on the Rappahannock"), the unusual late snows, and provides an early use of the term "rat" as a reference to new cadets ("The legislature is still cutting up about our maltreating the new cadets, or as we call them, Rats....says that we are a set of precocious youths who came here to avoid conscription"). The second item is a VMI cadet account book containing school expenses.

The bulk of the Andrew C. L. Gatewood papers consist of 28 letters (dated 1860-1864) written by Gatewood to his parents and other family members. Early letters describe life at VMI and in Lexington, Virginia, just prior to and during early months of the Civil War. Subsequent letters date from Gatewood's service with the 11th Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Company F (Bath Squadron), including a letter (dated September 1862) written after the Second Battle of Manassas (2nd Bull Run).

Includes film of ROTC cavalry drill and horsemanship practice on Parade Ground, including jumping; Barracks scenes; cadet orchestra; other scenes from cadet life ca. 1939

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.

Includes Ledgers, vouchers, accounts, correspondence, and other financial records dating from the opening days of the Institute through the early 20th century. These records are a good source of information for tracing early purchases of goods and services; local Lexington and Rockbridge County businesses/artisans/craftsmen appear in vouchers.

The Philip A. Fitzhugh papers consist of papers relating to Fitzhugh, with a bulk dating from his cadetship. The collection includes:

• Six letters from Fitzhugh to his brother that contain references to cadet life (graduation; hazing "plebes"; death of Henry C. Reid, Class of 1846; Washington College students, called "minks")
• Handwritten issue of a cadet newspaper called "The Royal Caroline" (March 21, 1846)
• VMI letter of appointment
• Two grade reports
• Invitation to a Society of Cadets meeting
• Medical school speech
• Letter to Fitzhugh from Henry T. Lee regarding Daniel Lee Powell, VMI Class of 1844
• Student notebook