Records of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors

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:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Records of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, RG 1, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
8.4 Cubic Feet 12 boxes
Creator:
Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute. Board of Visitors, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Board of Visitors, Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Board of Visitors, and Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College. Board of Trustees
Abstract:
The Records of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors includes unofficial minutes, correspondence, reports, Executive Committee minutes and reports, material from and about individual members of the Board, and reports to the Board of Visitors.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Records of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, RG 1, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The Records of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors includes unofficial minutes, correspondence, reports, Executive Committee minutes and reports, material from and about individual members of the Board, and reports to the Board of Visitors.

The two volumes of Executive Committee minutes contain mostly handwritten minutes from 1896-1933 and documents pertaining to the Experiment Station. Volume 1 covers 19 February 1896 to 18 January 1907. Volume 1 contains some loose items, including: notes of meeting of April 2, 1906; papers relating to cattle quarantine regulations; a request of J.G. Ferneybough, State Veterinarian, to appear before the Executive Committee, and a typed page of College Estimates for 1906/07.

Volume 2 encompasses 17 April 1907 to 5 October 1933. Volume 2 has some typed items.

This collection consists of fifteen letters and papers, 1874-1876, received by Bocock in his capacity as a member of the Board, including two letters from C.L.C. Minor, President of VAMC; one letter from G.D. Thomas, Secretary of the Board; an injunction against Henry S. Branson, brickmaker; a printed application with testimonials for position of Farmer from W.F. Pattullio; handwritten application for position of Farmer from Philip Withers, with nine letters of reference.

The collection contains twenty-seven letters, 1874-1878, either addressed to him or forwarded to him. Correspondents include: Charles Martin, C.L.C. Minor, Dr. Harvey Black, John W.C. Davis, C.H. Mellen, V.E. Shepherd, and W.R. Boggs.

Biographical / historical:

The legislation that created Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) provided for the establishment of a board of visitors as a governing body. Consisting of both appointed and ex-officio members, the board was empowered to select the president and faculty, determine salaries, handle all matters of discipline and student life, and be responsible for all property of the College.

Governor Gilbert C. Walker appointed the first board on March 19, 1872, the day he signed the bill creating the college, and the first meeting was held March 25 and 26 in Richmond. Board appointments are still made by the governor and subject to confirmation by the Virginia Senate. Since its inception, the board has been chaired by a Rector.

Various changes have occurred throughout the years concerning the composition of the board, primarily relating to number and qualifications of appointees and offices to be represented ex-officio. The first board was composed of nine appointed members, with the president of the State Agricultural Society and members of the State Board of Education serving ex-officio. The next year, the makeup was changed so only the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the president of the Agricultural Society served ex-officio. Later, the president of the Agricultural Society was eliminated as an ex-officio member, but the State Superintendent of Public Instruction remained until 1966. The president of the Board of Agriculture and Immigration (now Consumer Services) became an ex-officio member after 1902, now being the only ex-officio member serving with thirteen appointed members. Four non-voting members have been added to represent the faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students.

The Executive Committee also served as Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station Board of Control.

Thomas S. Bocock was a member of Board of Visitors, 1873-1875.

Thomas Salem Bocock (1815-1891) was a lawyer and politician. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1842 through 1844 and the U.S. House of Represensentatives from 1847 until 1861. As an owner of enslaved persons, he supported the Confederacy during the American Civil War, even serving in the Confederate House of Representatives from 1861 through 1865. After the war, Bocock served on the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College's Board of Visitors from 1873 through 1875, and he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates from 1877 through 1879.

General G. C. Wharton was a member of Board of Visitors, 1874-1877, and served as the Board's Rector, 1875-1877.

Gabriel Colvin Wharton was born in Culpeper County, Virginia on July 23, 1824. After graduating from Virginia Military Institute in 1847, Wharton became a civil engineer, working in Arizona and elsewhere. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Wharton was appointed a major within the 45th Virginia Infantry. Soon after, he was promoted to colonel, commanding the 51st Virginia Infantry. In July 1863, Wharton was promoted to brigadier general, commanding a brigade guarding southwestern Virginia railroads and participating in the battles of New Market and Cold Harbor, among others. Wharton married Nannie Radford in 1863; following the war, the couple made their home in Radford, Virginia. Wharton resumed his civil engineering career and was instrumental in building a railroad in the New River Valley. He was a member on the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College's Board of Visitors from 1874 through 1877, serving as the Rector from 1875-1877. Gabriel Wharton died in Radford in 1906.

Acquisition information:
The Records of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors were transferred to Special Collections and University Archives prior to 1980. The Thomas S. Bocock Papers and General G. C. Wharton Paperswere received in 1955. Additional items were transferred in multiple accruals between 2003 and 2019.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Records of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors was completed in 2017. The processing, arrangement, and description of additions was completed in November 2019.

Arrangement:

This collection is divided by material type and RG subgroup number. Each subgroup is divided by RG subgroup number and chronologically.

Record Group Subgroups
  1. RG 1 - Student and Personnel Records
  2. RG 1/1 - Official Minutes
  3. RG 1/2 - Unofficial Minutes, Correspondence, and Supporting Materials
  4. RG 1/3 - Committees of the Board - Executive Committee
  5. RG 1/4 - Individual Members of the Board
  6. RG 1/5 - Administration and Governance Structure
  7. RG 1/7 - Annual Reports