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This collection (47 items) consists of two series. The first series contains records (1702-1814; 17 items) related to the Virginia Militia, including regimental returns for various militia units. This material pre-dates the establishment of the state arsenal in Lexington, Virginia, but the documents were found among Lexington Arsenal records. Two of the documents date from the British colonial period (1702). The second series (1819-1839; 30 items) contains items concerning the operation of the state arsenal in Lexington. Included are payrolls and other financial records, guard returns and muster rolls, and two enlistment documents.

The Marshall McDonald papers (approximately 90 items) include primarily correspondence (1861-1892), notes, scientific reports, and documents. Among the correspondents are several VMI alumni and faculty members and Civil War officers, including:

• Scott Shipp
• Francis H. Smith
• Edward Cunningham
• Wilfred E. Cutshaw
• John W. Lyell
• James H. Morrison
• Mark B. Hardin
• Daniel W. Flowerree
• General Dabney H. Maury
• Hunter McGuire

Correspondence, 1840-1918, originating in the Superintendent's office, unrelated to any other records series. Primarily about purchases and business transactions, and miscellaneous file.

Official records of the Scott Shipp administration, including correspondence, annual reports, and related papers/records for the period 1890-1907.

The Regulations detail rules for the operation of the Institute and for all aspects of cadet life. They were first published in 1839, and throughout the 19th through mid-20th centuries they were updated every few years. In the modern era, cadet regulations are published yearly and are familiarly know as the Blue Book.

The Samuel Downing, Jr. papers consist of three items, including:

• One letter (November 17, 1859) from Downing to his father, in which he describes in detail a cadet trip to Norfolk, Virginia, including an interesting account of an uncomfortable canal boat journey
• One list of demerits (April to June 1860)
• One quarterly grade report (July 1860)

This collection contains three manuscript notebooks that include verse letters, poetry, notes, and a few newspaper clippings (bulk 1861-1865). One of the volumes is titled "Order Book, 9th Regiment Va. Volunteers, Craney Island." On the endsheets of this book are glued original manuscript signatures of VMI faculty and others, likely clipped from letters. The pages of this volume contain Sara Henderson Smith's writings.

This collection consists of a 40 page diary kept by VMI Cadet Sidney R. Perry from 1888-1891. The diary includes details of daily cadet life and an account of the death of Cadet Warner T. Taliaferro who died following a fight with a fellow cadet, Frank W. McConnico. This collection also includes a VMI Class of 1892 photograph album that contains photos of classmates, faculty, and cadet life, and six individual images, primarily summer camp scenes (circa 1890).

A collection of videos (some amateur, some professional) documenting special events such as matriculation, Ring Figure, graduation, speeches, and other topics relating to VMI activities and cadet life. The bulk of this collection dates from the 1980's forward, although a few date from an earlier period.

Includes film of ROTC cavalry drill and horsemanship practice on Parade Ground, including jumping; Barracks scenes; cadet orchestra; other scenes from cadet life ca. 1939