Abstract Emma Peoples Smith was born in 1928 to James McDill (c1873-1939) and Mattie Perry Peoples (1892-1992). She had two sisters, Rachel and Margaret, as well as three brothers, James, Perry, and Preston. Primarily farmers, the Peoples family lived in south Mecklenburg County in the area where Carson’s Pond is today. They were early inhabitants of the region, beginning c1790 with John Peoples, originally of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. This collection includes documents,...

Abstract Everett Blackmon is a native Charlottean who attended West Charlotte High School and Johnson C. Smith University. He worked for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library for over 40 years in various positions, but currently (2023) serves as the Access Services Manager at the University City Regional branch. In addition to his career with the Library, he is a self-taught photographer and founder of Winning Images Photography, specializing in capturing local history as it happened. This collection...

Abstract

The Ex Libris Book Club was organized in 1928 by a group of ten women. This collection contains annually distributed programs with information on monthly gatherings. Each program contains discussion topics, officers, and committee members with their addresses, telephone numbers, meeting date, hostess, and presenter. Materials dated 1933-1998 and arranged in chronological order.

Abstract First Ward Elementary, today (2020) known as First Ward Creative Arts Academy, is located at 715 North Caldwell Street in one of the oldest and most culturally diverse neighborhoods in uptown Charlotte. Originally built in 1900 and named North School, it was one of three schools in Charlotte’s first public school system; the others were the South School, and Myers Street School, for African-American children. First Ward is the only one of the three still operating on the same site, although...

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The First Ward Tax Valuation Collection contains newspaper clippings, photographs, tax line map drawings, and tax valuation forms that detail First Ward properties in Charlotte, North Carolina. Each document includes fields such as: property tax number, street address, property owner, size, amount sold, month/year of purchase, year built, land acreage, tax assessed value, and total. Each form has a photo of the property described. Materials date 1986-1988.

Abstract

The Fortnightly Book Club was organized in the early twentieth century to discuss books on a variety of topics. This collection contains notebooks and programs relating to the Fortnightly Book Club. The notebooks consist of meeting minutes and general notes about the members, what they were reading, and where/what time they met. In the programs, information covered the clubs officers, program committee, members, hostess, and book lists. Materials in this collection are dated 1925-1967.

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The Fourth Ward Tax Valuation Collection contains newspaper clippings, photographs, tax line map drawings, and tax valuation forms that detail Fourth Ward properties in Charlotte, North Carolina. Each document includes fields such as: property tax number, street address, property owner, size, amount sold, month/year of purchase, year built, land acreage, tax assessed value, and total. Each form has a photo of the property described. Materials date 1986-1987.

Abstract Frank Bishop was a real-estate agent with deep experience in the Charlotte, North Carolina area during the 1960s to the early 2000s. He graduated from The Realtor’s Institute (a collaboration between UNC Chapel Hill and the N.C. Association of Realtors) in 1968 and worked for the Howey Company and Touchberry Realty in the 1960s-1970s before being named executive vice president of Touchberry, Bishop, and Livingston. He eventually opened his own real estate company, Frank Bishop Realtors, in...

Abstract Nicholas Biddle Gibbon (1837-1917) was born on November 28, 1837 to Dr. John Heysham and Catharine Lardner Gibbon. He was one of ten children. The family resided in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, until 1837, when John became assayer in the U.S. Branch Mint in Charlotte, North Carolina. Nicholas married Harriet Alexander in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, in 1870, and they settled near Derita. Nicholas was a farmer, justice of the peace, and member of the General Assembly of North Carolina...

Abstract Joseph Pritchard Little was born on July 16, 1919, in Central, South Carolina, to Boyd William (1880-1940) and Pearl Pritchard Little (1889-1976). In 1921, the family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where Boyd was employed as an electrical engineer with Duke Power. Following his graduation, Little attended Duke University, following in his father’s footsteps by majoring in electrical engineering. He returned to Charlotte in 1939, having decided not to pursue this as a career. Instead,...

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Girl Scouting in the United States began in March 1912 in Savannah, Georgia. Juliette Gordon Low founded this organization with a vision for girls across the country to build courage, confidence, and character in a time where women were overlooked in society. This collection contains copies of The Girl Scout Clarion, a newsletter published by the Mecklenburg County Girl Scout Council. Collection materials are dated April 1947-October 1956 and are in good condition.

Abstract The American Gold Star Mothers was founded in 1928 by Grace Darling Seibold, mother of deceased soldier George Vaughn, and later incorporated on January 5, 1929 in Washington, DC. As with the American War Mothers, the Gold Star Mothers’ membership was initially limited, but was later amended to include all American conflicts, and all mothers of children killed during these conflicts. Materials in this collection include three scrapbooks with histories of the group and its...

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The Golden Circle Theatre Guild was formed by the Dorothy Masterson and the Mint Museum Theatre Guild in 1954. It was also called Mint Museum Drama Guild, Inc. and Mint Museum Theater Guild. The Golden Circle Theatre was built in 1960.

This collection contains brochures, budgets, correspondence, playbills and photographs. Materials dated 1969-1992 and in good condition.

Abstract This collection contains materials relating to the Guion family of Charlotte, North Carolina. Many of the items in the collection pertain to military service, including the Spanish-American War and World War I. Clyde Doyle Guion served in US Army from 1918-19 and in the American Expeditionary Forces for 3 months. C.D. Guion was also a pharmacist in Cornelius. Several items are related to the USS Relief, a hospital ship in the United States Navy during the Spanish-American War, confined to...

Abstract This collection spans items related to the Haigler family, who lived in Union and Mecklenburg counties in North Carolina. The collection consists primarily of correspondence between members of the H.M. Haigler family in the 1940s. The H.I. Ha[i]gler and H.M. Haigler families lived on farms close to Charlotte and grew cotton. Some items in this collection allow a view into agricultural practice in the early and mid-1900s, including cotton ration books. Many family members also fought in World...

Abstract Named in honor of Superintendent Harry Patrick Harding, Harding High opened in September 1935, on Irwin Avenue, in Charlotte. The building remained a high school until 1961, when the Irwin Avenue building was designated a junior high school. The high school was moved to Alleghany Street and was re-named Harding University High School in 1992.This collection contains teacher and student materials relating to Harding High School, to include school newsletters, commencement...

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This collection consists of 14 scrapbooks of memorabilia kept by W.T. Harris and his family. The bulk of the materials are from the 1970s, with a few scrapbooks from the 1960s and 1980s. Examples of scrapbook materials include congratulatory letters, programs, awards, involvement in community organizations, speaking engagements, correspondence, and “Man of the Year” awards.

Abstract Harry Golden (1902-1981) was a well-known journalist, founder of the Carolina Israelite, best-selling author, and civil rights advocate for the oppressed. After a rocky career as a stockbroker, Golden moved to Charlotte in 1941 to pursue a career in journalism. This collection contains materials relating to his professional career, to include original manuscripts, photostats, research, correspondence, essays and articles on various subjects, and audio/visual materials. Materials are in good...

Abstract Henry Patrick Harding, known for most of his life as Harry P. or H.P. Harding, was born in Aurora, North Carolina, on August 14, 1874, to Confederate Army Major Henry H. and Susan Elizabeth Sugg Harding. The Harding family moved to Greenville, North Carolina, in 1885, where Harry attended Greenville Male Academy. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1899, and went on to receive his Master of Arts from Columbia University in 1931. Following his...

Abstract Henry Edward Cowan "Red Buck" Bryant (1873-1967) was a writer for the Charlotte Observer, Missoulian, The New York World, New York Herald, and Boston Herald. He is perhaps best known for his work on covering racial and political events, including Black migration to the north during World War I, failure of prohibition, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), and Democratic/Republican National Conventions. This collection contains materials from his professional and personal life, to include biographical...

Content Description This collection contains materials relating to the Hermitage Court housing development located in the Myers Park neighborhood. Collection materials are arranged into 3 series:Series 1, History, 1912-2000, includes articles on the new development, Mary Kratt's book, "Legacy: The Myers Park Story," a general chronology, and documents on Hermitage Court's designation as a historic district. Series 2: Neighborhood Profile, c1918-c1995, contains information on residents...

Abstract At the time of its construction, Highland Park Mill No.3 was the Charlotte’s largest textile factory and combined productions in spinning and weaving, as well as the manufacturing of gingham. The Mill was a “technological marvel,” as it was the first textile mill in North Carolina specifically designed and constructed to operate with electricity rather than steam power. Like most communities built around a mill, the village eventually became a city within a city. This collection contains the...

Abstract Hoyt R. Galvin (1911-1995) grew up in Iowa. He was educated at Simpson College and the University of Illinois and went on to pursue a long and influential career in librarianship. He developed particular authority and influence as an expert on library building programs. Galvin served as director of the Charlotte Public Library from 1940 to 1970 and was also active in civic affairs in Charlotte, North Carolina. Following his retirement from the Charlotte Public Library, Galvin continued to be...

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...

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Israel Dorman was born in Russia on August 18, 1892 or 1893, to Benjamin and Goldie Buchrinsky Dorman, and was one of eight children. The family immigrated to America in 1906, arriving first in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and finally settling in Baltimore, Maryland. This collection contains clippings, correspondence, financials, military records, postcards, photographs, and negatives relating to his time in the military. Materials are dated 1918-c1939.

Abstract Camp Greene was a training camp for American soldiers during World War I, 1917-1918. Located about three miles west of uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, it quickly grew to surpass the size of the city, reaching 60,000 troops at its height. The majority of soldiers came from the northern states, in particular Massachusetts, and although segregated, included both black and white troops. The first troops arrived in September 1917, and continued until the armistice was signed on November 11,...

Abstract John Paul Lucas, Jr. (1908-1979) was a journalist, educator, and a Duke Power executive in Charlotte, North Carolina. For 35 years he served as Vice President of Public Affairs for Duke Power. He worked at the Charlotte News and the Charlotte Observer newspapers. His collection contains concert programs and church service programs from various churches in the Charlotte area, New York, Boston, and Atlanta. A majority of the concert programs are for organ recitals. Materials are dated...

Abstract John Price Carr was born in November 1854 in the Hopewell community. Carr’s father died while he was still young, and he left school to help support his family. Carr quickly rose to become a leader in the First Ward community, owned a thriving moving company, and helped rescue Presbyterian Hospital following a devastating fire. Carr died from pneumonia in April 1927. His home, built in 1904 and known as the J.P. Carr house, can be seen at 200-206 North McDowell Street in Charlotte. ...

Abstract Joseph Benjamin Ivey (1864-1958) founded Ivey's along with his brother, George Ivey, and Reverend J.A. Bowles in 1900. Their first store was located on the 200 block of N. Tryon Street. Ivey's was a popular department store in Charlotte, North Carolina until it was sold to the Chicago-based Marshall Field department stores in 1980. This collection contains newsletters written by J.B. and George M. Ivey dated 1925-1963 on topics such as family, neighbors, church, business, and travels....

Abstract

Joseph Lederman Morrison (1918-1970), was born in New York City, and later became a professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, from 1940-1970. Morrison wrote W.J. Cash, Southern Prophet, among several other books. Wilbur Joseph “W.J.” Cash (1900-1941), was a journalist and author of The Mind of the South. Morrison’s book traces his life until Cash took his life in 1941.

This collection contains documents in fair condition dated c1966-1967.