The collection is open to research.
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], William Addison Caldwell Collection, Ms 1988-048, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Portions of the William Addison Caldwell Collection were acquired by Special Collections and University Archives prior to 1992. Additions were donated in 1992 and 1993.
Some of this collection has been digitized and is available online.
The processing, arrangement, and description of the William Addison Caldwell Collection commenced and was completed in December 2021.
William Addison "Add" Caldwell, son of George C. and Lorena Givens Caldwell, was born in Craig County, Virginia on January 10, 1856. In October 1872, Caldwell and his brother Milton ("Mic"), walked from their home on Craig County's Sinking Creek to enroll at the new Virginia Agricultural & Mechanical College (VAMC; now Virginia Tech). Addison Caldwell became the first student to enroll at the school. He was among the second graduating class in 1876.
By 1880, Caldwell had returned to his parents' home and was teaching school. 1887 found him living in Roanoke, Virginia, and working in the general offices of the Norfolk & Western Railroad Company. Around 1898, Caldwell moved to Wilmington, North Carolina; he worked there for several large wholesale firms (the Stove Company; W. B. Cooper; Blair & Haly; and C. C. Covington). While recovering from brain surgery in 1910, and on his doctor's advice, Caldwell took a summertime position as clerk at Tarrymore Hotel, Wrightsville Beach, to be closer to the salt air. Shortly after taking the job, Caldwell fainted, sustained a head injury, and died on June 29, 1910. He was buried in Caldwell Cemetery, Radford, Virginia.
Source: "William Addison Caldwell: First Student to Register", Virginia Tech History website, https://history.unirel.vt.edu/students_alumni/first_student.html, accessed March 22, 2021.
Contained in the Wiliam Addison Caldwell Collection is a letter written by Caldwell to his niece, Katherine Caldwell of East Radford, Virginia. Writing from Tarrymore Hotel in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, "Add" briefly relays general personal news of the hotel and his new job there, the weather, and his health. The letter is accompanied by its envelope. The collection also contains an 1875 VAMC grade report for Caldwell, with its accompanying envelope. Also included is a ca. 1900 photo (original and reprint) of Caldwell with his family; Caldwell's 1910 obituary; and a Bible presented to Caldwell by Mrs. William c. McKemey and dated at VAMC, November 2, 1878.
The collection is arranged by material type.
The guide to the William Addison Caldwell Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Prior to processing, this collection had been known as the William Addison Caldwell Papers. An examination of the contents and their origins suggested that the William Addison Caldwell Collection would be a more accurate name.