Collections : [Virginia Military Institute Archives]

These files constitute the major record series generated by the office of Francis H. Smith, VMI's first Superintendent. He served from 1839-1889. The records, (ca. 30 linear feet) consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, order books, speeches and publications, annual reports, personal file, and subject files.

A topical and chronological file of pamplets containing the text of speeches and addresses delivered at VMI.

The VMI Alumni Association is a private organization affiliated with VMI; the VMI Archives does not house the records of the Association. However, the Archives does preserve printed material, publications created by the Association, some Class reunion material, and related material (e.g. photograph collection from the office of the Alumni Review), and miscellaneous subject files on topics of general interest. This collection also includes some historical minutes of the Association.

The annual reports of the Superintendent contain a detailed account of the activities for each academic year. The 19th century through mid-20th century reports are an excellent primary source for exploring the administrative and academic history of the Institute. In addition to annual reports, special reports were occasionally issued to provide details about specific topics; and "semi-annual" reports were published during parts of the 19th century to provide the results of mid-year examinations and other mid-year updates.

Includes Ledgers, vouchers, accounts, correspondence, and other financial records dating from the opening days of the Institute through the early 20th century. These records are a good source of information for tracing early purchases of goods and services; local Lexington and Rockbridge County businesses/artisans/craftsmen appear in vouchers.

The Stonewall Jackson papers consist primarily of the personal papers of Civil War General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (1824-1863). The bulk of the letters date from the pre-Civil War period and concern professional, personal, and domestic matters, including many in which Jackson writes about his religious faith, his concerns about health and diet, and his family.

This sub-group includes the following documents: Manuscript, appointment of the first VMI Board, 1839; James McDowell appointment, 1839; Alfred Leyburn, 1843; William B. Taliaferro, 1852; Arthur C. Cummings, 1866; Martin B. Wood, 1882; Alexander F. (Alex) Ryland

This sub-group includes incoming and outgoing correspondence of the Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors or correspondence related to BOV business. Includes correspondence files for some historical individual members of the Board.

This sub-group comprises the official public minutes of the Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors. The first meeting of the Board was held in May 1839. A significant portion of historical minutes have been digitized and are available online, including those for the Civil War era. Modern minutes (from 1982-forward) are also available online.

This collection consists of the Bushong Family ledger (daybook) that contains entries by Shenandoah Valley (Virginia) farmers Jacob and William Bushong. The entries made by Jacob d(dated 1843-1853) include lists of accounts with debits and credits for staples, sundries, crops, services, and other purchases.