The Institute Archives and Special Collections is located in the Fixman Room on the third floor of Folsom Library. The department collects, preserves and provides access to a variety of materials which fall into two major categories:
Institute Archives – The archives are the official records of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. They document the administration, curriculum, and programs of the Institute and its schools and departments. Materials include: Records of the presidents and senior administrators; Board of Trustee minutes; department files; campus publications and artifacts. Extensive photograph, biographical and subject files document the history of the Institute and its people.
Special Collections – Our Special Collections are composed of manuscript collections, rare books, and pamphlets focusing on nineteenth and twentieth century science and technology. Some of our most used collections are the Roebling Collection, George M. Low Collection, Horsford Family Papers and Skilton Family Papers.
I am trying to establish the chronology, and life story, of a man – LeGrand Bouton Cannon. He was raised in Troy, attended “The Institute” sometime in 1828-1830 (did not graduate) and was a Trustee of RPI, 1849-1864. He died a very wealthy man in Burlington, Vermont in 1906. He was an officer of many companies, and was the president of the Champlain Transportation Company for more than thirty years. I know, and have seen them, that some of his papers are in the Rauner Library at Dartmouth. I also know that the Transportation Company archives are at UVM. But, there has to be more material on him someplace else. RPI? He died at age 91 (and two days) but the first half of his life is a mystery. The mystery starts with his birth in 1815—and his attendance at “The Institute” in, or before 1830. That makes no apparent sense. Any ideas? Thanks!
Carl, there is no manuscript material regarding LeGrand B. Cannon here at RPI. We don’t even have a biographical file on him. There is a brief biography in the Biographical Record, published in 1887, which states that He received his early education in the select schools of
Troy, and at the Rensselaer Institute. After leaving school he
went into the store of his father, and afterwards became a partner
in the dry goods business. Later he was connected with the
rolling mills and iron works in Troy. He moved to New York
city in 1850, and has since been actively and largely interested in
manufacturing, mining, railroad and other business enterprises.
He attended the Rensselaer Institute in 1829 and I believe it is quite possible that he was in the “Junior Branch,” which accepted “those who are too young to take a part with those of mature years.” The ages of the students ranged from 13 to 16 years so Cannon at 14 yrs. would have fit the demographic of this particular class. The junior branch was taught in a separate building on the property of the Old Bank Place.
Can I send you pictures from the 60’s ? I was a Glee Club member and have several pictures of the “boys” in that era.
I also have a review of our performance at Town Hall in New York by the New York Times and a letter from a board member of some significance regarding our performance and ou professionalism on stage