Roanoke Chamber of Commerce Postwar Planning Committee Collection,, 1946

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish material from the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce Postwar Planning Committee Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information:Roanoke Chamber of Commerce Postwar Planning Committee Collection, Ms2011-083, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Chamber of Commerce of Roanoke, Virginia
Abstract:
The collection contains correspondence papers and a booklet regarding the Chamber of Commerce of Roanoke, Virginia Postwar Planning Committee from 1946. Correspondence include meeting minutes and letters regarding publication of the booklet Roanoke Looking Ahead. The latter provides a an outline of planned municipal improvements.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information:Roanoke Chamber of Commerce Postwar Planning Committee Collection, Ms2011-083, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains correspondence papers and a booklet regarding the Chamber of Commerce of Roanoke, Virginia Postwar Planning Committee from 1946.

Two letters and minute meetings detail preparations for the publication and distribution of the booklet Roanoke Looking Ahead. The latter--which outlined the reconstruction of Roanoke, VA after World War II--was slated for release on the evening of January 25, 1946 and cost "$2,061.63 [for] all printing, layout and artwork, photographs, and engravings." As expressed by meeting minutes from January 23rd of that same year, all "in attendance were favorably impressed with the...presentation."

As for the booklet itself, Roanoke Looking Ahead is a relatively comprehensive guide on future municipal improvements. The Chamber of Commerce intended for plans such was wider streets, improved airports, and more highways to make Roanoke "a community where every citizen can walk with dignity and face the future with confidence." A small section towards the end of the booklet calls attention to urban "slums...[which] cost Roanoke thousands of dollars year after year." The booklet also includes a composite map that illustrates the distribution of "sub-standard dwellings" versus areas of "welfare, juvenile delinquency, tuberculosis and venereal disease." It is unknown how many of these improvements the committee actually enacted.

Biographical / historical:

The city of Roanoke, VA was founded in 1884. It is located west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and midway between the "great valley" that lies between Maryland and Tennessee. Originally the Town of Big Lick, Roanoke today is major urban center for western Virginia.

The Roanoke Chamber of Commerce was established in 1870 and today employs more than 9000 citizens.

For more information, please see the official Roanoke website.

Acquisition information:
Special Collections, Virginia Tech purchased the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce Postwar Planning Committee Collection in July 2011.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce Postwar Planning Committee Collection was completed in September 2011.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by material type.