Greenwood Library Archives and Special Collections
Janet D. Greenwood Library401 Redford Street
Farmville, VA 23909
Business Number: 434-395-2433
ask@longwood.libanswers.com
URL: https://libguides.longwood.edu/home/asc
Benedict Chatelain
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions to access or use for research purposes.
Custodial History
Nancy Shelton acquired the "rat caps" in this collection during her tenure with the Longwood University Department of Alumni Relations.
Biographical / Historical
This longstanding Longwood tradition began in 1925, when the sophomore, junior, and senior classes at [then] State Teachers College voted that all freshmen students would be required to wear "rat cap" beanies each school day, and all day Saturday. The tradition evolved over the years, where no longer required to wear the caps all year, the freshmen were made to participate in Rat Week during which the freshmen were forced to follow restrictive rules regarding dress and activities and had to follow all instructions given by upperclassmen.
The tradition continued throughout the 1960s. However, the popularity of "ratting" began to decline among both students and faculty, until the early 1970s, when it was discontinued.
Scope and Contents
The "rat caps" in this collection date from the early 1930s to the early 1970s.