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Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Homer Allison Jewelry, ca. 1955-1959, Artifact-057, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
This collection was acquired by the Special Collections and University Archive in July 2022.
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Homer Allison Jewelry was completed in July 2025.
Homer Allison attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and was a member of the V.P.I. Band from 1957-1958. He may have been a member of the Class of 1959.
He is probably Homer Harman Allison, born to Harman and Gladys Allison on December 30, 1937, in Cedar Bluff, Tazewell County, Virginia. He graduated from Richlands High School in Tazewell County, Virginia, in 1955. Allison died in August 1982.
Sources:
Bugle yearbooks, 1957-1958
U.S. Federal Census, 1940-1950
"Homer Harman Allison" in the U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections/60901/records/19971769, accessed September 15, 2025.
"Homer Allison", 1955 Richlands High School yearbook, in the U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-2016, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections/1265/records/481905578, accessed September 15, 2025.
This collection contains four charms and one pin formerly belonging to VPI student Homer Allison. One charm, possibly from 1957, is inscribed "INAUGURAL PARADE" at the bottom and has a "VT" with an image of a lyre at the top. There is imprinting on the back, but it is unclear what the image or text is.
A gold and black charm says "BAND" above an image of a lyre with "V.P.I." at the bottom. There is imprinting on the back, but it is unclear what the image or text is.
One charm that is also gold and black has the seal of the university surrounded by the name "VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE" above "1959", possibly Allison's class year.
The last charm is silver with an orange "T" at the top and maroon lightning bolts on either side The center includes the university name "VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE" around an image of a building, possibly the front entrance of War Memorial Hall. The bottom of the charm is inscribed "INTRAMURAL".
A small gold and black pin reads "SPQR, R, LATIN CLUB" on the front, and "HOMER ALLISON" on the reverse. A small gold chain hangs off of the main pin that holds a smaller gold pin of a Spartan head with the number "55." This may be a high school pin, with "55" representing the year he graduated high school. "R" could represent Richlands High School in Tazewell County, Virginia.
The guide to the Homer Allison Jewelry by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (