Collections

This collection consists of documents from various eras in VMI's history, reflecting the humourous side of cadet life. The collection includes:

• Three small (3.5 x 5 inches) watercolor sketches (circa 1920) that depict firecracker prank results
• A list titled "Graduated scale of beauty in Lexington" (1856)
• A notice about the Virginia Polytechnic Institute football game posted in a barracks room (1937)

This collection consists of one VMI scrapbook compiled by Eli B. Springs. The scrapbook includes clippings, programs, invitations, and other memorabilia from 1911 to 1913.

This collection consists of one scrapbook (1917-1921) compiled by Cadet John B. Payne, VMI Class of 1921. The scrapbook includes photographs of cadet life, athletics, classmates, and buildings, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia.

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).

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

This collection consists of one VMI scrapbook (1913-1917) compiled by Cadet Marshall G. Munce. The scrapbook includes photographs and other mementos.

This collection consists of one VMI scrapbook compiled by Montgomery C. Jackson (VMI Class of 1920). The scrapbook includes photographs of cadet life (classmates, dances, and athletic events) and buildings, clippings, and other memorabilia.

This collection consists of one scrapbook (1916-1920) compiled by Cadet Richard J. Bundy (VMI Class of 1920). The scrapbook includes photographs of cadet life (classmates, dances, and athletic events) and buildings, clippings, and other memorabilia.

This collection consists of the cadet scrapbook of Samuel L. Austin (VMI Class of 1921) that covers the period of 1916 to 1919. The scrapbook contains over 100 snapshots, as well as dance programs, clippings, drawings, and other VMI memorabilia. Topics of the photographs include:

• Classmates and friends
• Cadet life, such as parades, classroom scenes, spring hike, penalty tours, marching to class, and the gymnasium decorated for a dance
• Athletics, such as football, baseball, track, and basketball
• Buildings and grounds, such as statues, Francis H. Smith Academic Building, barracks, stoops, and rooms
• Special events, such as Woodrow Wilson's inaugural parade and a parade in Roanoke, Virginia

The collection consists of three VMI scrapbooks compiled by Cadet Theodore F. Morton during the period of 1916 to 1919. The scrapbooks include photographs, dance programs, and other VMI memorabilia.