Ben Markulec (Hopewell NJ) on Blogger: VMI Archives Offer a Wealth of Manuscripts and Photographs

Friday, July 5, 2019

VMI Archives Offer a Wealth of Manuscripts and Photographs

Book shelf
Image: pexels.com

A graduate of Hopewell Valley Central High School in NJ, Ben Markulec balanced his studies with participation in athletics, lettering in wrestling for four years and in football for three years. After graduating from Hopewell Valley Central High School in NJ, Ben Markulec enrolled in the mechanical engineering program at the Virginia Military Institute, which welcomes visitors to explore the VMI Archives.

Located in Preston Library, the VMI Archives hold a robust collection of primary source materials and artifacts from VMI and US history. For example, the archives feature letters written by Thomas Jefferson in 1821 to Claudius Crozet, one of the founders of VMI.

History enthusiasts can also find a wide variety of historical documents related to the Civil War, including the diary of VMI cadet John Hanna. The diary contains accounts of life at VMI in 1864, just before the Battle of New Market.

The archives also hold Civil War manuscripts, including letters written by Andrew Gatewood between 1860 and 1864 describing life in Lexington in the months leading up to the war and the first few months of the war. The VMI Archives also provide digital access to over 10,000 images of cadets, faculty members, and the VMI campus, with the oldest photographs dating back to 1840s.

Visitors to the VMI Archives can view the wealth of manuscripts and photographs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. To learn more, visit www.vmi.edu/archives.

About Ben Markulec

A Hopewell, NJ, native and freshman at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Ben Markulec is pursuing a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering with the goal of serving as an officer in the U.S. Army. Prior to enrolling in VMI, Ben Markulec attended Hopewell Valley Central High School and completed a full college-preparatory course load that included AP Latin, AP European Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and Introduction to Engineering Design.

An accomplished student, Mr. Markulec’s academic achievements include the U.S. Army ROTC Scholarship, National Latin Exam Honors, and finishing in third place in the New Jersey Society of the American Revolution's Junior American Citizens Stamp Contest. He also stood out as a decorated athlete in high school, having competed as a four-year varsity letter winner on the school's wrestling team. A two-time Mercer County Tournament champion, he placed fourth in the 2016 Middle Atlantic Wrestling Association Championship. Moreover, while in high school, he leveraged his passion for wrestling to volunteer as a youth coach and referee for local wrestling organizations.