Collection is open to research.
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Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Edgemont Farm Papers, Ms2003-022, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
According to John R. Hutcheson's farm history, "Edgemont Farm" (Folder 1), the history of Edgemont Farm is somewhat typical of what has happened on many plantations in Southside Virginia. The farm got its name when Thomas Edmunds Barksdale and his wife, Sarah Catherine Edmunds, bought 1000 acres of fertile land on the Dan River near the Southern Railroad known as Barksdales Station and established a farm there in 1851.
The farm remained in the Barksdale family and eventually was passed down through Mary Claiborne Barksdale who married Robert Francis Hutcheson to their sons, Thomas Barksdale Hutcheson and John Redd Hutcheson. After the death of Thomas B. Hutcheson in 1950, the farm was owned by Rosalie S. Hutcheson, his wife, and John R. Hutcheson. Supervision of the farm was under John R. Hutcheson with the assistance of T. B. Hutcheson, Jr., son of Rosalie Hutcheson, and the resident manager of the farm. In 1962, supervision of the farm was turned over to T. B. Hutcheson, Jr. The farm eventually was sold to David Barksdale.
John Redd Hutcheson (V.P.I. class of 1907, M.S., 1909) was the ninth president of Virginia Polytechnic Institute (1945-1947). He also served as director of the Agricultural Extension Division (1919-1944) and chancellor (1947-1955). Thomas Barksdale Hutcheson (V.P.I. class of 1906) was professor of Agronomy (1914-1945) and dean of Agriculture at V.P.I.. Hutcheson Hall at Virginia Tech was named for the brothers, John R. and T. B. Hutcheson. Thomas Barksdale Hutcheson, Jr., (V.P.I. class of 1950) was professor of Agronomy (1964-1968) and head of the Agronomy Department.
Scope is 1925-1998, bulk 1935-1978. Historical materials include John R. Hutcheson's essay "Edgemont Farm," information on Thomas E. Barksdale, maps, and a statement regarding the real estate on Edgemont Farm. Much of the T. B. Hutcheson, Jr., correspondence with John R. Hutcheson is regarding farm operations. Correspondence also relates to T. B. Hutcheson's professional career, and there are materials regarding the naming of Virginia Tech's Hutcheson Hall for John R. and T. B. Hutcheson. Farm record books include cash books, order books, ledgers, and a journal of farm operations, as well as extensive correspondence regarding David Barksdale's purchase of the farm.
This collection is arranged chronologically.
The guide to the Edgemont Farm Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).