Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the John Redd Hutcheson Papers must be obtained from the Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA.

Preferred Citation

John Redd Hutcheson Papers RG 2/9, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The John Redd Hutcheson Papers were donated to the University Archives.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the John Redd Hutcheson Papers began in November 2005 and was completed in July 2006

Biographical Information

Born in Charlotte Courthouse, Virginia, on January 12, 1886, John Redd Hutcheson graduated from Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (VPI) in 1907 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and received a Master of Science degree in 1909, also from VPI. He later received a PhD in 1937 from Clemson College. In 1914, Hutcheson joined the Virginia Agricultural Extension Service of VPI as a livestock specialist, and subsequently became director of the Extension Service in 1919. In January 1945, Hutcheson was appointed executive assistant to VPI President Julian Burruss, but soon took on many of the president's duties when Burruss became ill. Hutcheson was elected Virginia Tech's ninth president in August 1945. In December 1946, he became ill and was granted sick leave, at which time Walter Newman took over the duties of president. Although Hutcheson recovered from his illness, he did not return to his position as president. Instead, Hutcheson was elected chancellor in August 1947 and Newman became VPI's tenth president. In 1956, Hutcheson retired as chancellor but continued to work as president of the VPI Educational Foundation until his death on January 23, 1962.

Scope and Content

The John Redd Hutcheson Papers consist of correspondence and records, from 1917 to 1962. This collection contains official records from Hutcheson's tenure as president of VPI and includes correspondence and reports from groups such as the State Board of Agriculture and Immigration, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Association of Governing Boards, the Association of Land-Grant Colleges, the Association of South Agricultural Workers, the Association of Virginia Colleges, the State Board of Education, the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the American Veteran's Committee, the Farm Bureau Federation, the State Agricultural Commission, and VPI's Committee on Post-World War II Agricultural Policy. There are also materials dealing with the American Council on Education, including correspondence, telegrams, course outlines, and budgetary materials.

In addition, this collection also contains personal records on topics such as the management of Hutcheson's dairy farm, Edgemont; health, life, auto, and fire insurance; the deaths of Hutcheson's son and two brothers; various family members; desegregation of public schools in Virginia; Hutcheson's involvement with the Presbyterian church; and his illnesses. Also included is a bound volume of The Breeder's Gazette, containing handwritten notes on the front endpaper and on an inserted sheet.

Arrangement

The John R. Hutcheson Papers are arranged alphabetically by subject matter in the following series: Series 1 Presidential Papers, Series 2 Personal Papers.

Related Material

Additional information regarding Edgemont Farm is located in Ms2003-022.

Adjunct Descriptive Data

Additional information regarding Edgemont Farm is located in Ms2003-022.