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Partial Inventory of the Christiansburg [Virginia] Industrial Institute Historical Documents

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Ms-1991-033

Scope and Content Information

The CII materials consist of photocopied historical documents about the school, its history, and the alumni association. Many of the materials are from the Edgar A. Long papers (Long served as principal of the school from 1905 to 1924), and include Long's handwritten drafts of lectures, writings, speeches, sermons, and lessons. Also included are copies of the 1902-03 and 1925-26 catalogs and the 1908 annual report. "Poems for Children and Letters," compiled by Nerissa Long Milton, "Married Life" compiled by Dora E.W. Spratt, and "Art Letters and Poetry of Audrey Long Whitlock", compiled by Amanda De Hart, are part of the alumni records. The bulk of the material was compiled under the title "Christiansburg Industrial Institute History and the Edgar A. Long Papers, 1866-1986" by Mrs. Amanda Edwin De Hart, archivist and historian for the CII alumni association.

Dates

  • Creation: 1866 - 1991

Creator

Access

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Christiansburg Industrial Institute Historical Documents must be obtained from the Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Biographical/Historical Information

The Christiansburg Industrial Institute (CII) was founded in 1866 in Cambria (now Christiansburg), Virginia, by Civil War Union Captain Charles S. Shaeffer as a private primary school for black children. Through the support of the Friends Freedmen's Association in Philadelphia (a Quaker organization), Shaeffer received financial backing for the school. In 1896 Booker T. Washington molded the program to one that would emphasize technical training for blacks. A 185-acre farm was purchased as the school's campus in 1905. In 1934 the Montgomery County School Board began its management of the school. CII was converted in 1947 to a regional high school for blacks, and closed in 1966 when the local schools were integrated.

Full Extent

1.4 Cubic Feet (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The collection is arranged according to subject matter.

General Physical Description note

0.4 cubic feet, 1 box, 11 folders

Title
A Guide to the Christiansburg [Virginia] Industiral Institute Historical Documents, 1866-1991
Status
Completed
Author
Laura Katz Smith
Date
© 2001 By Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Description is in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308