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Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)Aly Diemel, Volunteer, and Special Collections and University Archives Staff
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction .
Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication .
Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
The collection is open for research.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], John S. White VPI Coat and Cape, c. 1950, Textile-1993-013, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
The collection was acquired by Special Collection and University Archives in January 1974.
The processing, arrangement, and description of the John S. White VPI Coat and Cape was completed in June 2025. Preliminary description was completed in 2016.
John S. White was born on July 29, 1931, and attended Virgina Polytechnic Institute in the 1950s. He was a Cadet in Company N and is pictured on page 205 of the 1950 Bugle. On page 205 of the Special Collection and University Archives copy, he signed "Best of luck, John White" near his photo. Later he went on to serve in the US Navy and was a Mason. As a child he resided in Scottsvile, Virginia, and later in life lived in Hagerstown, Maryland, where he passed on July 29, 2012. Prior to retirement, he worked for State Farm Insurance.
Sources:
"VPI Bugle 1950", Lynchburg, Virginia: J.P. Bell Company, INC., 1950
Lastname, Firstname. "Title of Web Page." Name of Website. Publishing organization, publication or revision date if available. Access date if no other date is available. URL .
"John S White in the 1950 United States Federal Census." Ancestry. Accessed June 9, 2025. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections/62308/records/110430064?tid=&pid=&queryId=08df1529-3fa3-4593-a319-651f7ca9b230&_phsrc=zWF1&_phstart=successSource&_gl=1*1kvjqr0*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTMwNDQxMTA5NC4xNzQ5NDc2ODU1*_ga_4QT8FMEX30*czdiNTRkNWFmLWRhMzItNGYyMy1iYTA3LTdmM2FiNzkwMjM1ZiRvMSRnMCR0MTc0OTQ3Njg1NCRqNjAkbDAkaDA.*_ga_LMK6K2LSJH*czdiNTRkNWFmLWRhMzItNGYyMy1iYTA3LTdmM2FiNzkwMjM1ZiRvMSRnMCR0MTc0OTQ3Njg1NCRqNjAkbDAkaDA.
"John S White Jr in the 1940 United States Federal Census." Ancestry. Accessed June 9, 2025. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections/62308/records/110430064?tid=&pid=&queryId=08df1529-3fa3-4593-a319-651f7ca9b230&_phsrc=zWF1&_phstart=successSource&_gl=1*1kvjqr0*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTMwNDQxMTA5NC4xNzQ5NDc2ODU1*_ga_4QT8FMEX30*czdiNTRkNWFmLWRhMzItNGYyMy1iYTA3LTdmM2FiNzkwMjM1ZiRvMSRnMCR0MTc0OTQ3Njg1NCRqNjAkbDAkaDA.*_ga_LMK6K2LSJH*czdiNTRkNWFmLWRhMzItNGYyMy1iYTA3LTdmM2FiNzkwMjM1ZiRvMSRnMCR0MTc0OTQ3Njg1NCRqNjAkbDAkaDA.
"Official Obituary of John Stephen White, Jr." Thacker Brothers Funeral Homes. Accessed June 9, 2025. https://www.thackerbrothers.com/obituary/John-WhiteJr
The coat is navy blue with black lining, with red lining under the cape. There are gold diagonal stripes on the lower sleeves and six gold "VPI" buttons on the coat. There are eight smaller but identical buttons on the cape. Along the inside of the back of the collar is a small silver chain, and on the front of the inside of the collar are two silver hooks. There is a rectangular pocket on the left side of the coat lining. A label inside the jacket reads "John Stephen White 52-38-31-39-19 (2)-15." An additional label located inside of interior pocket has a picture of an eagle on a shield and reads "Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA, Uniform Department." The condition is fair, there is no hem on the bottom (may never have been one), holes and stains in coat lining, and worn places in cape.
The guide to the John S. White VPI Coat and Cape by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).