On Oct. 1, 1872, the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (Virginia Tech) was founded. The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) was incorporated by the Commonwealth in Blacksburg as the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College.

A contract was made with Colonel Robert T. Preston for the purchase of a portion of his home estate, known as “Solitude,” including the mansion and principal farm buildings, and all that part of the farm lying west thereof, supposed to contain two hundred and fifty acres.

Today, the university is known for strong programs in agriculture, engineering, forestry, and veterinary medicine.