Christiansburg [Virginia] Industrial Institute
Historical Documents, 1866-1991, Ms91-033: 0.4 cu. ft.
Over 1200 Digtial Images digitized in agreement with the Christiansburg Institute Inc.
History
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.
Scope and Content
The CII materials consist of photocopied historical documents about the school, its history, and the alumni association.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.
Provenance
Copies of the Christiansburg Industrial Institute documents were donated by Mrs. Amanda Edwin De Hart of Pulaski, Virginia, in May, July, and August 1991, and January 1992.
Container List
- Folder 1: "Christiansburg Industrial Institute History and the Edgar A. Long Papers, 1866- 1986," pp. 1-209.
- Folder 2: "Christiansburg Industrial Institute History and the Edgar A. Long Papers, 1866- 1986," pp. 210-424 and appendixes.
- Folder 3: "Christiansburg Industrial Institute History: A Century of Service to Youth Ends 1966," by Amanda Edwin De Hart, 1989.
- Folder 4: "Christiansburg Institute History: Photographs," compiled by Amanda Edwin De Hart, 1989.
- Folder 5: "Catalog of the Christiansburg Industrial Institute, Cambria, Va., 1902-1903," and "Annual Report of the Christiansburg Industrial Institute, 1908."
- Folder 6: "The Christiansburg Industrial Institute Twenty-Eighth Annual Catalogue, 1925-1926."
- Folder 7: "Annual Alumni Catalogue: Day School and Night School Graduates, 1898," partial [lists CII alumni, 1891-1925.]
- Folder 8: "Married Life: A Blessing to the Truly Married," arranged [compiled] by Mrs. Dora E.W. Spratt [1893?].
- Folder 9: "Poems for Children and Letters," by Nerissa Long Milton [1986?].
- Folder 10: "Art Letters and Poetry from Audrey Long Whitlock, 1972-1990," [compiled] by Amanda Edwin De Hart.
- Folder 11: articles (1991) about the history of CII; photographs of collages of CII alumni.
Browse or search a growing collection of over 1200 Digtial Images, including
- CIAA Scrapbook
- Graduating Class
- Groups and individuals
- Reunions
- Views of Campus 1
- Annual reports
Reports issued to the Friends' Freedmans' Association of Philadelphia.- 1908
- 1916
- Art
- Brochures and Pamphlets
- Campus
- Catalogues
- Century of Contribution (exhibition, May 2000)
- Events
- Newspaper/Magazine Articles
- Expressions (April-June 2000)
- Mountainside (1981)
- New River Current (April 16, 1995)
- New River Current (May 18, 1988)
- The Roanoker (August 2000)
- Rosa Holmes Scrapbook
- School Documents: Report cards and diplomas
- Smokehouse Museum Display, 1997
- Students and Class Portraits
- 1950's
- 1960's
- Unpublished documents Accession number 2001-016
- Yearbooks
- 1942 Yearbook - The Reflector
- 1954 Yearbook - Tigers
- 1955 Yearbook - The Golden Tiger
- 1965 Yearbook - Tigers
Related Resources
Digital Images
- "A Century of Contribution" Curatorial Advisory Committee
photographs from meeting April 4, 2000 - Louretta Wimberly: African American Preservation Alliance
photographs from HUM 4414-3040, April 3, 2000 presentation
Manuscript resources at other universities
- Banks, John F., Papers (ca. 76 pieces: 1910-1959) photographs and artifacts from the Christiansburg Institute. Acc. #1985-34 Special Collections, Johnston Memorial Library, Virginia State University
- Afro-American Resources in Virginia: A Guide to Manuscripts Michael Plunkett, ed., University Press of Virginia, 1994.
- "Henrietta James" in the History of the American Negro Index (CI graduate)
Presentations and Web Sites
- Christiansburg Instititute Inc.
- Christiansburg Institute Alumni Association
- A Community Legacy by Peter Wallenstein, Sept. 21, 1999
In the News
- "Symposium Examines Equity in Virginia Schools," Spectrum Sept. 17, 1999: 1
- New River Valley Regional Plan n.d. (1999?)
- CI fund drive under way Spectrum, April 20, 1995
- CI topic of TV show Spectrum, Feb. 11, 1999: 4.
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Manuscript Collections Guide
Montgomery County, Virginia, guide
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Send questions and comments to:
Gail McMillan, director
Special Collections, Digital Library and Archives
University Libraries
e-mail: gailmac@vt.edu
