Nelson M. Magee Collection

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], Nelson M. Magee Collection, 1948-1952, Ms2022-055, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.2 Cubic Feet 1 box
Creator:
Magee, Nelson M., Roberts, Lou Anne, and Triplett, Louise
Abstract:
This collection contains correspondence and personal items belonging to Nelson M. Magee, a 1952 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Correspondence includes letters and cards sent to Magee while he was a V.P.I. student from 1948 to 1952.
Language:
The materials of this collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Nelson M. Magee Collection, 1948-1952, Ms2022-055, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains correspondence and personal items, dating from 1948-1952 and belonging to Nelson M. Magee, a 1952 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Correspondence includes letters and cards sent to Magee while he was a V.P.I. student. Magee's personal items include a high school commencement program, receipts related to car insurance claims, orders for V.P.I. class rings, a V.P.I. license plate attachment, and a personal notebook with penciled notes related to war bonds.

Biographical / historical:

Nelson M. Magee was born on October 10, 1930, in Wakefield, Virginia. He graduated from Newport News High School in 1948 and from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1952 with a B.S. in architectural engineering. At V.P.I., Magee was a 2nd Lieutenant of Company G (Artillery) and a member of several student organizations, including Pershing Rifles, Order of DeMolay, Peanut Club, American Institute of Architects, and Scabbard and Blade. Magee was stationed at Fort Bliss Army Base in El Paso, Texas, before becoming 1st Lieutenant in command of construction of Launching Facilities for the Nike Ballistic Missile Program in Washington, D.C.

Magee enjoyed a prolific international career. He moved to Rome, Georgia, in 1972 to work for Ledbetter Construction Company and became a member of the Georgia National Society of Professional Engineers in 1974. He began work for the Vulcan Material Company of Birmingham, Alabama, in Saudi Arabia in 1976 and rose to the position of President and CEO for Saudi Arabian Vulcan before leaving Saudi Arabia in 1989. From 1990 to 2000, he lived Almeria, Spain, where his company built resorts. Upon his retirement in 2000, he returned to Rome, Georgia, where he remained until his death on March 18, 2017.

Magee married Edna Yolanda Magee, and the couple had three children.

Sources:

Nelson Magee Obituary. Dignity Memorial website. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/hampton-va/nelson-magee-7340574. Accessed September 14, 2022.

The Bugle. Virginia Polytechnic Institute, 1952. Page 27.

Acquisition information:
This collection was purchased by Special Collections and University archives in 2016.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Nelson M. Magee Collection was completed in September 2022.

Arrangement:

The collection contains two series based on content type. Series I contains correspondence to Nelson Magee, arranged by author. Series II contains other personal items belonging to Magee, arranged chronologically.