Tag Archives: Virginia Tech

VPI Chapel and Library

In 1909, Virginia Tech built its campus chapel, later repurposed as the university library in 1914. The building burned on August 31, 1953, while being dismantled to make way for the new library, later named for Carol Montgomery Newman, longtime English professor and dean of the Academic Department. Standing on the site of today’s Newman Library, the old chapel was empty at the time—its books safely relocated weeks earlier.

Leadership at Virginia Tech and Its Impact on Blacksburg’s History

The history of the Town of Blacksburg, Virginia, is deeply connected to the evolution of Virginia’s land-grant university. Founded as the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (VAMC), the institution later became Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University—now known simply as Virginia Tech. A school of many abbreviations: VPI, VPI&SU and now VT). The university’s growth,Continue reading “Leadership at Virginia Tech and Its Impact on Blacksburg’s History”

Restaurant Series: Hokie House

The Hokie House, an iconic bar at 322 North Main Street since the late 1960s, is known for its burgers and beer. It started as Mrs. Ryman’s lunch counter and later belonged to George Willard. In the basement, head barber Stewart Michael Ribble was popular with the VPI/VT Corps of Cadets, often drawing long lines of first-year cadets.

Short Wave Radio in Blacksburg

The Short Wave Radio Club was organized in September 1935, according to the 1936 Bugle (page 319). The Virginia Tech Special Collections and University Archives published a story about Carmen Venegas, VPI’s first international woman graduate. She was a member of this fledgling club. Short Wave Club Officers: President, W.D. Henderson (W8MOW; Vice President, V.R.Continue reading “Short Wave Radio in Blacksburg”

Obituary of Andrew Robeson

Andrew Robeson, professor emeritus of Virginia Tech, beloved family patriarch and life-long member of the Blacksburg community, reached the end of a deeply rich life on July 10, 2022. He was 96 years old.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank Leigh Robeson and Mary Matthews Robeson, sisters Helen Robeson, Mary Wood Pendleton, Martha Robeson andContinue reading “Obituary of Andrew Robeson”