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.
The Board of Visitors is the governing body of the Virginia Military Institute. The first meeting was held in May 1839, several months before the first cadets matriculated.
Incoming and outgoing correspondence of the VMI Board of Visitors or correspondence related to Board business.
Board of Visitors correspondence of 19th century member Joseph H. Sherrard who served from 1882 to 1887.
Correspondence of Montgomery B. Corse (VMI Class of 1885) that originates from his service on the Board of Visitors.
Correspondence between Francis H. Smith, who became VMI's first Superintendent, and John T. L. Preston relating to the organization and opening of VMI. Includes four letters from Preston to Smith and one letter from Smith to Preston, in which he accepts the job offered by the Board of Visitors to serve as Superintendent (originally called Principal Professor). One related letter is from Francis H. Smith to William Atkinson or Atkison, in which Smith asks for advice about VMI's job offer.
John Thomas Lewis Preston (1811-1890), was one of the founders of the Virginia Military Institute. He served at VMI as a member of the first Board of Visitors (1839) and as a Professor of Modern Languages from 1839 to 1875. During the Civil War he was on the staff of General Stonewall Jackson.
Major General Francis Henney Smith (1812-1890) was appointed VMI's first Superintendent in 1839. An 1833 graduate of West Point, he had previously served briefly in the United States Army and was a Professor of Mathematics at Hampden-Sydney College (Virginia) when he accepted the position as head of the newly established VMI. He served for fifty years, from the Institute's infancy, through the Civil War, and through the difficult post-war period. He is known as the "builder and rebuilder of VMI." Smith retired on January 1, 1890 and died only a few months later, on March 21, 1890.
Written from Hampden-Sydney College, Virginia. In the letter, Francis H. Smith asks for advice about whether to take job at the new Virginia Military Institute.
Written from Lexington, Virginia. John T.L. Preston inquires about whether Francis H. Smith is interested in having his name submitted to be head of the soon to be opened Virginia Military Institute, and provides information about the vision for the new school.
Written from Lexington, Virginia. In the letter, John T. L. Preston provides details about the proposed organization and operation of VMI.
Written from Lexington, Virginia. John T. L. Preston informs Francis H. Smith that he has been elected Principal Professor of VMI (the title will later be changed to Superintendent). Preston provides information about salary and other details concerning the opening of the school.
Written from Hampden-Sydney College, Virginia. Francis H. Smith accepts the appointment as Principal Professor (Superintendent) at VMI. The letter informs John T. L. Preston that his duties at Hampden-Sidney College will end on September 25, discusses the opening of VMI, salary, and other related issues.
Written from Lexington, Virginia. John T. L. Preston discusses opening of VMI and details regarding Francis H. Smith's move to Lexington, Virginia.
This series consists of nineteenth century records, including notes, petitions, reports, and proceedings records.
Petition from the Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors requesting the Congress to allow cadets who turned eighteen while enrolled at VMI to complete their studies and thus be exempt from conscription law.