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Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], William H. Byrne VPI Cadet Cape, 1914, Textile-1993-014, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
The collection was transferred to Special Collections and University Archives in January 1975.
The processing, arrangement, and description of the William H. Byrne VPI Cadet Cape was completed in June 2025. Preliminary description was completed in 2016.
This style of cape with the red lining was only worn by VPI seniors a tradition that had been common at the time. The aspects of this coat can be seen as illustrated on page 42 of "Donning the Blue and Gray" by Harry Downing Temple.
John E. McDonald was born on May 14, 1891 in Falls Church, Virginia, and Passed on June 11, 1949 in Blacksburg, Virginia. McDonald was a part of the Class of 1915 and was the caption of Company "D."
On page 49 of the 1915 Bugle, under his photograph it reads "Captin "Billy" is Irish and is glad of it. He seems to have added extensively to his stor of knowledg since coming to V.P.I., but doesn't make any fuss about it. In military circles h always stood well, even going as far to dine with the Commandant. He has a level head and sane ideas on every topic, which is attested by his long list of honors. It is rumored that he will leave his heart in Blacksburg, but we have no offical conformation of this fact. He is inclined to spread out at the knees, but this always helps him when riding in tournaments, and at other times his Senior cape does good duty. "Billy" and scientific farming as running mates will bear watchin. He has exploded the theory that the office of ranking captain and populairty do not go together."
Source:
Temple, Harry Downing, "Donning the Blue and Gray", Richmond, VA: William Byrd Press, 1992.
"VPI 1915 Bugle", 1915.
"William Hale Byrne in the Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014", Ancestry, Accessed June 9,2025, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections/9278/records/1263892?tid=&pid=&queryId=11b6afce-d5bd-4c40-9275-bcd140cd3896&_phsrc=xCV3&_phstart=successSource&_gl=1*6bnw7e*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTg3ODk2NzY3OS4xNzQ5NDg5NjA0*_ga_4QT8FMEX30*czEzOWIxN2FhLTA0ZjYtNDQxNC04ZDdmLTg5ZDI5MGJhMDgxZCRvMSRnMCR0MTc0OTQ4OTYwMyRqNjAkbDAkaDA.*_ga_LMK6K2LSJH*czEzOWIxN2FhLTA0ZjYtNDQxNC04ZDdmLTg5ZDI5MGJhMDgxZCRvMSRnMCR0MTc0OTQ4OTYwMyRqNjAkbDAkaDA.
The Cadet cape is navy blue with a red lining, made of wool and possibly wool felt. It is a long standard cape for the time, with a black cord closure that is missing a frog on the right side. There is a label on the inside that reads "Mr. Byrne Capt. (?), measure 49-38-15, date 10-23-14 (William Hale Byrne, class of 1915, East Falls Church, Fairfax)." An additional label states the manufacturer as " Blacksburg: Virginia Polytechnic Institute, J.H. Kelsey, Supt., Uniform Department." There are two hooks that hold the collar in place as well as three buttons on the underside of the cape like collar.
The guide to the William H. Byrne VPI Cadet Cape by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (