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], Stephens Mink Ranch Collection, 1927, undated, Ms2024-005, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Stephens Mink Ranch Collection was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in December of 2016.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Stephens Mink Ranch Collection was completed in January 2024.

Administrative History

The Stephens Mink Ranch was operated in Wytheville, Virginia, by G.S. Stephens, the general manager. At one point, the ranch claimed to be the "World's Largest Mink Farm".

Biographical Note

The general manager of the Stephens Mink Ranch was G. S. Stephens. He is likely Garland Sanders Stephens, who is listed as a superintendent of a fur farm in Wytheville, Virginia, on the 1930 U.S. Census.

Stephens was born to Stephen Sanders and Mary Swepson (Pritchard) Stephens on March 8, 1904, in Wythe County. He married Francis Morehead (1908-1977), and they had three daughters: Mary, Helen, and Mildred.

In the 1930 and 1940 censuses, Stephens is listed as operating a farm, presumably the Stephens Mink Ranch. During World War II, he worked at the New River Ordinance Works in Pulaski, which was operating under the U.S. War Department. By the 1950 census, both Garland and Francis were dealing in antiques.

Stephens died on November 13, 1998, and is buried alongside his wife in the Saint Johns Lutheran Church Cemetery Sauers in Wytheville.

External Sources:

U.S. Federal Census, 1910-1950

"Garland Sanders Stephens" in the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/10854863:2238 , accessed January 24, 2024.

"Garland Sanders Stephens" in the Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015, Delayed Birth Records, 1721-1920, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/8092128:9277 , accessed January 24, 2024.

"Garland Sanders Stephens", Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38567435/garland-sanders-stephens , accessed January 24, 2024.

Scope and Content

The Stephens Mink Ranch Collection contains an informational pamphlet titled "Pen Raising the Mink" by G.S. Stephens alomg with a 1927 postcard containing information about purchasing a mink from Stephens Mink Farm.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• Pamphlets
• Postcards
• Wytheville (Va.)

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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