Virginia Military Institute. Board of Visitors

Scope and Contents This file 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

Scope and Contents Records of standing and ad hoc committees of the VMI Board of Visitors. Historical documents include misc. 19th century records, including ledger concerning bonds, correspondence, reports, members' travel expenses, and receipts for meeting expenses (food, sundries). Modern committee names include: Academic Affairs Committee; Audit Planning & Finance Committee (APF); External Relations ( Public Relations, Public Affairs ); Governmental Relations; Cadet and Military Affairs;...

Scope and Contents Miscellaneous incoming and outgoing correspondence of the VMI Board of Visitors or related to BOV business. Includes correspondence files for some historical individual members of the Board

Scope and Contents 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.

Scope and Contents This collection comprises the official public minutes of the VMI 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.