Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434) 560 Drillfield Drive Newman Library, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 Business Number: 540-231-6308 specref@vt.edu URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu
Hannah Bochain, Student Assistant, and Kira A. Dietz, Archivist, and Kaitlynn Harless, Graduate Assistant
Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.2013.007
Title
William F. Drumeller, Jr., Collection 1909-1991
Quantity
1.4 Cubic Feet, 3 box and 2 oversize items
Creator
Drumeller, William F., Jr., 1923-2006
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
The William F. Drumeller, Jr., Collection, 1909-1991, includes Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) publications, school papers
(including notes and notebooks), ephemera, engineering publications and reports, correspondences, and photographs of Drumeller,
a student and cadet at VPI from 1942-1943 and 1946-1949. Materials describe the railway and coal industries in West Virginia
in the mid- to late twentieth century.
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: William F. Drumeller, Jr., Collection,
Ms2013-007, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The William F. Drumeller, Jr. Collection was purchased by Special Collections in November 2012, August 2015, November 2019,
August 2020, and April 2024.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the William F. Drumeller, Jr., Collection was completed in February 2013.
Additional materials were integrated in 2020 and description updated in 2023. Additional materials were integrated in 2024
and description updated in 2024.
William F. Drumeller, Jr., was born January 23, 1923, to William and Elizabeth Drumeller. Studying as a civil engineer, Drumeller
attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute as a cadet from 1942-1943 and 1946-1949, taking a leave of absence in 1943 to fight
in the U. S. Army during World War II, rising to the rank of Sergeant and earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He worked
as a civil engineer with CSX Railway. Drumeller died March 25, 2006, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
The collection includes Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) publications, school papers (including notes and notebooks),
ephemera, painting, and photographs of William F. Drumeller, Jr., a civil engineering student and cadet at VPI from 1942-1943
and 1946-1949. The majority of the collection consists of student notebooks and paper relating to math and engineering courses.
Publications and ephemera were collected by him during his tenure as a student and, presumably, as an alumni.
The collection also consists of materials from his time as an engineer in West Virginia. The reports, studies, correspondences,
and notes provide insight into the railway and coal industries in southern West Virginia. One report describes surface coal
mining, also known as mountaintop removal.
Series I: Student Work and Notebooks includes academic records, drawings, notebooks, course work, and lectures notes, relating
to Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) engineering, math, and physics courses taken by William F. Drumeller, Jr., in the
1940s.
Series II: Personal Papers includes alumni materials, photographs, VPI memorabilia, an engineering report for Norfolk & Western,
an ROTC manual, correspondences, newspaper clippings, rental lease, and a resume.
Series III: Professional papers includes materials related to his professional engineering work, primarily with the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railway. These include agreements, leases, contracts, bills, organization charts of C&O, correspondences, notes,
design drawings, and reports and studies. The reports and studies includes a list of items, and many of the pieces focus on
the Kanawha Valley and James River in southern West Virginia. Another report is a study on surface coal mining, also known
as mountaintop removal mining. His papers provide insight on the coal mining and railway industries in the mid- to late twentieth
century.
Chesapeake and Ohio, Organization Charts - Operating Department
box-folder 2 folder: 5
Contracts, Architecture and Planning
1973-1975
box-folder 2 folder: 6
Correspondences
1964-1978
Lease Agreements
box-folder 2 folder: 7
1928
box-folder 2 folder: 8
1938
box-folder 2 folder: 9
1939
box-folder 2 folder: 10
Notes
box-folder 2 folder: 11
Publications
Bibliography
"Baseboard Electric Heater: Installing and Operating Instructions with Parts List," Sears,
"Capital Square Intelligence Newsletter," Virginia State Chamber of Commerce, 1969/1970
"The Engineers Club of Huntington: Directory and Yearbook," 1974
"Portable Parking Structures International"
box-folder 2 folder: 12
Railway Design Drawings
1963-1964
box-folder 3 folder: 1
Reports and Studies
Bibliography
"Before the Interstate Commerce Commission in the Matter of the Application of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Company," 1970
"Brief History of the James River and Kanawha Coal," 1933
"Council for Reorganization of Washington State Government: Survey Report and Recommendations," 1965 (excerpt)
"Directory of Offices, Shop Facilities and Gasoline Supply Points," The State Road Commission of West Virginia, 1966
"Governor's Management Task Force: West Virginia State Government," 1969
"Outline of the Jame River and Kanawha Canal and the Principal Agreements and Leases for Water Rights in the Canal," 1960
"Recommendation for Gasoline Pump Stations"
"Report on James River Canal Owned by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Company Between Richmond and Clifton Forge, on the Waters
of James River and Its Tributaries"
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