Freshman "Rat Cap" Collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
Longwood University
Archives and Special Collections
Greenwood Library
Longwood University
401 Redford Street
Farmville, VA 23909
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (434) 395-2432
Fax: (434) 395-2453
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions to access or use for research purposes.

Summary

Extent:
3 Object
Language:
English .

Background

Scope and content:

The "rat caps" in this collection date from the early 1930s to the early 1970s.

Biographical / historical:

This longstanding Longwood tradition began in 1925, when the sophomore, junior, and senior classes at [then] State Teachers College voted that all freshmen students would be required to wear "rat cap" beanies each school day, and all day Saturday. The tradition evolved over the years, where no longer required to wear the caps all year, the freshmen were made to participate in Rat Week during which the freshmen were forced to follow restrictive rules regarding dress and activities and had to follow all instructions given by upperclassmen.

The tradition continued throughout the 1960s. However, the popularity of "ratting" began to decline among both students and faculty, until the early 1970s, when it was discontinued.

Custodial history:

Nancy Shelton acquired the "rat caps" in this collection during her tenure with the Longwood University Department of Alumni Relations.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Longwood University -- History