Collections : [Virginia Military Institute Archives]

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Preston Library
411 Letcher Avenue
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA 24450
Primary Collecting Areas:
Military history, Civil War, Shenandoah Valley history, Stonewall Jackson Papers, genealogy
Description:
The VMI Archives include significant manuscript and Institute records holdings, with a focus on military history and the Civil War. Our extensive digital archives allow for easy online access to many of our collections.
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Start Over Repository Virginia Military Institute Archives Subjects Photograph albums
Virginia Military Institute Archives

C. Barrett Graham papers, 1967/2016

0.75 cubic feet 2 boxes

This collection consists of the papers of Lieutenant C. Barrett Graham (VMI Class of 1967), including:

  • Correspondence (34 items) written to his parents and other family members, primarily during his tour of duty in Vietnam (1968-1969). Graham served as a rifle platoon commander based at An Hoa (F Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines) and subsequently was stationed at supply headquarters in Da Nang. Topics include patrols, general descriptions of countryside and villagers, and destroying North Vietnamese food supplies.
  • Typescript Vietnam War memoirs (2016) titled "The Gong Show...Or Observations and Reminiscences about Vietnam, 1968-1969"
  • Photograph album and slides taken in Vietnam

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C. Barrett Graham papers, 1967/2016 0.75 cubic feet 2 boxes

Graham, C. Barrett (Charles Barrett)

This collection consists of the papers of Lieutenant C. Barrett Graham (VMI Class of 1967), including:

  • Correspondence (34 items) written to his parents and other family members, primarily during his tour of duty in Vietnam (1968-1969). Graham served as a rifle platoon commander based at An Hoa (F Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines) and subsequently was stationed at supply headquarters in Da Nang. Topics include patrols, general descriptions of countryside and villagers, and destroying North Vietnamese food supplies.
  • Typescript Vietnam War memoirs (2016) titled "The Gong Show...Or Observations and Reminiscences about Vietnam, 1968-1969"
  • Photograph album and slides taken in Vietnam

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Office of Communications and Marketing subject files, 1950

10 cubic feet
2 results
Virginia Military Institute Archives

Fredrick V. E. Gaillard and Charles C. Gaillard collection, 1912/1948

1 boxes

This collection consists of documents and photographs held by the Gaillard brothers, Fredrick V. E. Gaillard and Charles C. Gaillard. The material pertaining to Charles C. Gaillard includes a letter written while at Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) training at Plattsburg Barracks, New York. Material relating to Fredrick V. E. Gaillard includes his cadet photograph album, approximately 12 original photographs dating from his service as commanding officer of the 377th infantry Regiment, and related World War II documents.

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Fredrick V. E. Gaillard and Charles C. Gaillard collection, 1912/1948 1 boxes

Gaillard, Frederick V. E. (Frederick von Ende), 1894-1979

This collection consists of documents and photographs held by the Gaillard brothers, Fredrick V. E. Gaillard and Charles C. Gaillard. The material pertaining to Charles C. Gaillard includes a letter written while at Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) training at Plattsburg Barracks, New York. Material relating to Fredrick V. E. Gaillard includes his cadet photograph album, approximately 12 original photographs dating from his service as commanding officer of the 377th infantry Regiment, and related World War II documents.

Virginia Military Institute Archives

James A. Forsythe collection, 1871/1875

2 items

This collection consists of a notebook compiled by Cadet James A. Forsythe and a graduation bible. The notework contains copied poetry and company rosters. Forsythe's photograph album is also available in the VMI Archives.

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James A. Forsythe collection, 1871/1875 2 items

Forsythe, James A. (James Adger), 1853-1925

This collection consists of a notebook compiled by Cadet James A. Forsythe and a graduation bible. The notework contains copied poetry and company rosters. Forsythe's photograph album is also available in the VMI Archives.

Virginia Military Institute Archives

John E. Townes collection, 1905/1960

1 cubic feet

This collection consists of photograph albums, diplomas, and papers that document the life of John E. Townes. The photos depict both his VMI cadetship and his subsequent career in the United States Army Coast Artillery Corps (1908-1920) and at VMI as a faculty member (1921-1956).

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John E. Townes collection, 1905/1960 1 cubic feet

Townes, John E. (John Edward), 1886-1970

This collection consists of photograph albums, diplomas, and papers that document the life of John E. Townes. The photos depict both his VMI cadetship and his subsequent career in the United States Army Coast Artillery Corps (1908-1920) and at VMI as a faculty member (1921-1956).

Virginia Military Institute Archives

John L. Couper collection, 1936/1992

4 Linear Feet

This collection consists of items related to John L. Couper, including correspondence (to parents and other family) and two photograph albums documenting service during World War II. The bulk of this collection is dated 1942 to 1946. The letters cover a wide range of topics, including training in Great Britain, field hospital operations in Europe, and comments about daily aspects of war. The photographs document the unit's movements, staff, and activities in England, France and Belgium. In addition, this collection includes a photograph album (1936-1937) dating from Couper's VMI cadetship, and extensive material documenting various VMI Class of 1937 reunions.

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John L. Couper collection, 1936/1992 4 Linear Feet

Couper, John L. (John Lee), 1916-2000

This collection consists of items related to John L. Couper, including correspondence (to parents and other family) and two photograph albums documenting service during World War II. The bulk of this collection is dated 1942 to 1946. The letters cover a wide range of topics, including training in Great Britain, field hospital operations in Europe, and comments about daily aspects of war. The photographs document the unit's movements, staff, and activities in England, France and Belgium. In addition, this collection includes a photograph album (1936-1937) dating from Couper's VMI cadetship, and extensive material documenting various VMI Class of 1937 reunions.

Virginia Military Institute Archives

John L. Tunstall papers, 1866/1867

5 items

The John L. Tunstall papers consist of the personal papers (five items) Tunstall, including:

  • One letter from Tunstall to his mother, in which he describes the cermonies marking the second anniversary of the Battle of New Market (including the reinterment of five of the cadets killed at New Market), recalls the horror of the Civil War, and mentions visit of Robert E. Lee to Stonewall Jackson's gravesite
  • Two notebooks containing VMI engineering class notes
  • One photograph album containing approximately 33 images of classmates, family, and others
  • One book from Tunstall's personal library titled "The Sociable Story Teller"

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John L. Tunstall papers, 1866/1867 5 items

Tunstall, John L. (John Liggat), 1845-1877

The John L. Tunstall papers consist of the personal papers (five items) Tunstall, including:

  • One letter from Tunstall to his mother, in which he describes the cermonies marking the second anniversary of the Battle of New Market (including the reinterment of five of the cadets killed at New Market), recalls the horror of the Civil War, and mentions visit of Robert E. Lee to Stonewall Jackson's gravesite
  • Two notebooks containing VMI engineering class notes
  • One photograph album containing approximately 33 images of classmates, family, and others
  • One book from Tunstall's personal library titled "The Sociable Story Teller"

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Kenneth S. Purdie papers, 1911/1922

0.5 Linear Feet approximately 250 items

The Kenneth S. Purdie papers (approximately 250 items) include:

  • Subject files concerning the publication of the 1912 VMI yearbook, of which Purdie was editor
  • Personal correspondence
  • Documents (1916) concerning the Culver Military Academy, Indiana
  • Military service records (photocopies)
  • One photograph album (1911-1913) that includs photos of VMI and Wentworth Military Academy, Missouri

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Kenneth S. Purdie papers, 1911/1922 0.5 Linear Feet approximately 250 items

Purdie, Kenneth S. (Kenneth Sinclair), 1892-1983

The Kenneth S. Purdie papers (approximately 250 items) include:

  • Subject files concerning the publication of the 1912 VMI yearbook, of which Purdie was editor
  • Personal correspondence
  • Documents (1916) concerning the Culver Military Academy, Indiana
  • Military service records (photocopies)
  • One photograph album (1911-1913) that includs photos of VMI and Wentworth Military Academy, Missouri

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Medford G. Ramey VMI cadet scrapbooks and photograph album, 1918/1937

4 items

This collection consists of three cadet scrapbooks (circa 1918-1937) and one photograph album (circa 1922) compiled by Medford G. Ramey (VMI Class of 1922). The scrapbooks and album document cadet life during the late 1910s and early 1920s and include photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence, dance cards, and VMI memorabilia.

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Medford G. Ramey VMI cadet scrapbooks and photograph album, 1918/1937 4 items

Ramey, Medford G. (Medford Grove), 1901-1970

This collection consists of three cadet scrapbooks (circa 1918-1937) and one photograph album (circa 1922) compiled by Medford G. Ramey (VMI Class of 1922). The scrapbooks and album document cadet life during the late 1910s and early 1920s and include photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence, dance cards, and VMI memorabilia.

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Jennings C. Wise papers, 1910/1960

3.5 cubic feet 7 manuscript boxes and oversized material

The Jennings C. Wise papers consist primarily of Jennings C. Wise's incoming and outgoing correspondence from the period 1910 to 1960. Included are letters dating from his years as Professor and Commandant of Cadets at VMI, from his practice of law, and from his retirement period in which he devoted himself primarily to writing. Wise was passionately interested in the history and future development of VMI and much of the correspondence reflects his ongoing involvement with the school. He often held controversial views and frequently expressed his dismay at what he perceived to be a lessening of military discipline at VMI. Other items in the papers include:

  • Memoranda
  • Editorials and articles written by Wise
  • Circulars
  • Notebooks
  • Printed material
  • A photograph album (1913-1914) documenting the retirement of the VMI Cadet Battery and the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of New Market, Virginia

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Photograph album, 1913/1914 Box 7

The album containing images of the VMI Cadet Battery and of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Battle of New Market, Virginia.

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