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Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], John R. Hutcheson Academic Regalia, n.d., Textile-2000-001, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
The collection was acquired by Special Collections and University Archives prior to 2000.
The processing, arrangement, and description of the John R. Hutcheson Academic Regalia was completed in June 2025. Preliminary description was completed in 2018.
One of seven children, John Redd Hutcheson (1886-1962) was born to Robert Francis and Mary Claiborne (née Barksdale) Hutcheson near Charlotte Courthouse, Virginia, on January 13, 1886. Dr. Jack, as he was affectionately known, married Eleanor Parrott in 1917, and the couple had three children: Eleanor Barksdale (Mrs. Charles, III) Catlett, John Redd Hutcheson, Jr., and Robert Parrott Hutcheson, who died serving during World War II. Hutcheson served briefly during World War I, and he operated the Edgemont Farm with his brother T.B. Hutcheson.
John Hutcheson earned a B.S. degree in 1907 and M.S. in 1909 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI, now Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or Virginia Tech) as well as honorary doctorates from Clemson College in 1937 and North Carolina State College in 1947. Following graduation from VPI, he taught and served as principal for schools in Virginia and Mississippi as well as lectured at the University of Virginia. In 1914, Hutcheson joined the Virginia Agricultural Extension Service (now the Virginia Cooperative Extension), becoming its director in 1919.
In 1945, Hutcheson succeeded Julian A. Burruss as VPI's ninth president, serving until the Board of Visitors elected Hutcheson to become VPI's first chancellor in 1947. The following year, the Board established the VPI Educational Foundation, Inc. (known today as the Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc.) and named Dr. Jack its first president. He left the chancellorship in 1956, while remaining the foundation's president until his death on January 23, 1962.
Sources:
John R. Hutcheson Family Papers, Ms2015-001, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Kinnear, Duncan Lyle. 1972. The First 100 Years: A History of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Blacksburg: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Robertson, Jenkins Mikell. 1972. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Historical Data Book, Centennial Edition. Blacksburg: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
John R. Hutcheson Academic Regalia collection consists of a gown, cap, and two hoods.
The cap is a standard graduation cap with a yellow/gold tassel, which hangs off of a gold button on the center of the cap. Inside the cap is a brown, roughly one inch, lining around the edge of the cap interior. The label on the base of the interior reads "7 1/8 INTERCOLLEGIATE BUREAU COTRELL & LEONARD ALBANY." Between "INTERCOLLEGIATE BUREAU' and "BUREAU COTRELL & LEONARD ALBANY" is a logo that consists of a horse with wings above the company seal that reads "472 BROADWAY 47?." Some stitching from attaching the button interfers with the logo. The condition is good.
The first hood is made of a black fabric, with yellow and purple lining. The lining on the inside of the hood is satin, primarly purple in color with a yellow stripe that is pointed in the middle. Around the outside of the neck is yellow velvet. On the neck of the hood is a small black cord for securing the hood. Also on the inside of the neck is a label that reads "THE C.E.WARD CO. NEW LONDON, OHIO." The condition is good.
The second hood is made of a black fabric with yellow velvet and a red satin lining. The yellow velvet is in a thick stripe along the outter edges of the hood. The red lining is throughout the inside of the hood. On the neck of the hood is a small black cord for securing the hood. Also on the inside of the neck is a label that reads "McCARTHY&SIMON INC. ACADEMIC COSTUMERS NEW YORK N." The condition is good.
The gown is made of a black fabric with black velvet detailings and a gray lining. Around the neck of the garment are thick strips of black velvet that go down the entirety of the garment. The sleeves are large and puffy with three black velevt stripes on each. The back of the garment is gathered at the top in pleats that let out and flow towards the end of the garment. On the inside of the collar is a label that reads "THE C.E.WARD CO. NEW LONDON, OHIO 3 DOCTOR." There are long ribbons that come down from the inside of the collar. At the front of the interior of the collar is a button on one side and a small knotted cord on the other. The condition is good.
See also the Records of the Office of the President, John Redd Hutcheson, RG 2/9, and John R. Hutcheson Family Collection, MS-2015-001
The guide to the Board of John R. Hutcheson Academic Regalia by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).