Hugh Roy Smith Papers, 1932-2000
Content Description
This collection contains documents, artifacts, and photographs relating to the personal life and professional accomplishments of Hugh Roy Smith (1908-1979), founder and owner of Smith's Flowers and Nurseries, Inc. (formerly Cornelius Floral Gardens), in Cornelius, NC.
Materials are arranged into 10 series:
Series 1: Photographs, 1949-1970 and undated, includes photographs of church decorations, flower bouquets, Smith's Flowers and Nursery, school memorabilia, and family members.
Series 2: Personal Records, 1932-2000 and undated, contains Hugh Roy Smith's personal documents relating to school, church, and family matters.
Series 3: Obituary and Memorial, 1979-1989, includes obituaries and memorial statements relating to Hugh Roy Smith's passing in 1979. There is also information on the Memorial Garden created in his honor.
Series 4: Cornelius Floral Gardens, 1933-1937, includes records relating to the Cornelius Floral Gardens.
Series 5: Cornelius Beautification Committee, 1974-1981, contains newspaper clippings, letters, project plans, and drawings relating to the Cornelius Beautification Committee.
Series 6: Smith's Nurseries, 1967-1972, includes information relating to business publications and shows/competitions Smith Nurseries competed in.
Series 7: Property Documents, 1957-1980, contains tax line maps, deeds, bills of sale, and appraisal reports.
Series 8: Florist Associations, 1950-1976 and undated, includes a Society of American Florists plaque, publications, clippings, photographs, membership cards, and framed certificates from professional florist associations Hugh Roy Smith was a part of.
Series 9: Awards, 1955-1972, contains a variety of awards Hugh Roy Smith won for his professional work.
Series 10: Scrapbook, 1955-1983, includes one scrapbook with miscellaneous documents and photographs about Hugh Roy Smith's life, family, businesses, and professional accomplishments.
All materials are in good condition and dated 1932-2000.
Dates
- 1932 - 2000
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open to the public without restriction. The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to duplicate or publish material from this collection must be obtained from the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.
Biographical / Historical
Hugh Roy Smith (1908-1979) opened his first business, Cornelius Floral Gardens, in 1933. The business later become known as Smith’s Flowers and Nurseries, Inc. During his career, he grew and sold flowers retail through his shops in Cornelius and Mooresville and provided floral arrangements for weddings and pageants. He also participated in Southern Living Show exhibits and won awards for his displays.
In addition to his work, Smith was active in his community as a chairman of the Cornelius Beautification Committee and as a trustee for the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. He also participated in various floral associations and societies and was elected President of the North Carolina State Florists’ Association in 1954 and elected to the American Academy of Florists in 1966. After his death, the Hugh Roy Smith memorial garden was erected in his honor.
Extent
3.22 Linear Feet
2.25 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Hugh Roy Smith (1908-1979) opened his first business, Cornelius Floral Gardens, in 1933. The business later became known as Smith’s Flowers and Nurseries, Inc. During his career, he grew and sold flowers through his shops in Cornelius and Mooresville and provided floral arrangements for weddings and pageants. He also participated in Southern Living Show exhibits and won awards for his displays. In addition to his work, Smith was active in his community as a chairman of the Cornelius Beautification Committee and as a trustee for the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. He participated in various floral associations and societies—he was elected President of the North Carolina State Florists’ Association in 1954 and elected to the American Academy of Florists in 1966. After his death, the Hugh Roy Smith memorial garden was erected in his honor.
This collection contains photographs, documents, newspaper clippings, awards, and artifacts relating to the life and career of Hugh Roy Smith. Materials are in good condition and dated 1932-2000.
Arrangement
Materials are arranged into 10 series:
Series 1: Photographs, 1949-1970 and undated, includes photographs of church decorations, flower bouquets, Smith's Flowers and Nursery, school memorabilia, and family members.
Series 2: Personal Records, 1932-2000 and undated, contains Hugh Roy Smith's personal documents relating to school, church, and family matters.
Series 3: Obituary and Memorial, 1979-1989, includes obituaries and memorial statements relating to Hugh Roy Smith's passing in 1979. There is also information on the Memorial Garden created in his honor.
Series 4: Cornelius Floral Gardens, 1933-1937, includes records relating to the Cornelius Floral Gardens.
Series 5: Cornelius Beautification Committee, 1974-1981, contains newspaper clippings, letters, project plans, and drawings relating to the Cornelius Beautification Committee.
Series 6: Smith's Nurseries, 1967-1972, includes information relating to business publications and shows/competitions Smith Nurseries competed in.
Series 7: Property Documents, 1957-1980, contains tax line maps, deeds, bills of sale, and appraisal reports.
Series 8: Florist Associations, 1950-1976 and undated, includes a Society of American Florists plaque, publications, clippings, photographs, membership cards, and framed certificates from professional florist associations Hugh Roy Smith was a part of.
Series 9: Awards, 1955-1972, contains a variety of awards Hugh Roy Smith won for his professional work.
Series 10: Scrapbook, 1955-1983, includes one scrapbook with miscellaneous documents and photographs about Hugh Roy Smith's life, family, businesses, and professional accomplishments.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was donated to the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room by siblings Albert Smith and Rose Smith Chapman, October 2019.
Condition Description
Materials are in good condition.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of this collection was completed by Lacey Stith, January 2020.
- Account books Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Artifacts Subject Source: Local sources
- Business Subject Source: Local sources
- Correspondence Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Deeds Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Family Papers/Genealogy Subject Source: Local sources
- Gardening Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Gardening--Societies, etc Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Negatives Subject Source: Local sources
- Photographs Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Scrapbooks Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Hugh Roy Smith Papers, 1932-2000
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Lacey Stith
- Date
- 2020-01
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Repository
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library-Main
310 N. Tryon Street
Charlotte NC 28202 USA
carolinaroom@cmlibrary.org
