Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

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.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Robert P. Merchant Collection, 1938-1944, Ms2023-091, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Robert P. Merchant Collection was donated to Special Collections and University Archives prior to 2015.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Robert P. Merchant Collection was completed in August 2023.

Biographical Note

Lt. Col. Robert Prescott (1919-2009), was an alumnus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) and served in Egypt, England, and France in World War II. After his twenty-two year military career, he used his mechanical engineering degree from VPI to teach automotive mechanics at the Community College of Northern Virginia. After moving to Lynchburg in 1974, He began teaching at Central Virginia Community College. He coordinated the curricula for automotive, engineering design, inustruial electricity, and electronic technology in Lynchburg in 1986 and 1987.

External source:

"LTC Robert Prescott "Peck" Merchant", findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39008784/robert-prescott-merchant , accessed on August 16, 2023.

Scope and Content

This collection contains Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) memorabilia and ephemera. Some items included are a 1938 Cadet Corps belt with VPI buckle; VPI buttons, pins and spoon; programs for plays; Techgram memorabilia; and a photo album with identification notes.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by material type.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• University History
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute (1944-1970)
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Corps of Cadets (1944-1970)

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Robert P. Merchant Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).