Abstract The Hunter and Ranson families were two of the earliest families who settled in what was originally known as “Craighead.” In 1873, the town was renamed “Huntersville” for the Hunter family. These two families would join together through the 1890 marriage of William Joseph Ranson and Ellen Viola Hunter. The Ranson and Hunter families continued to influence the development of the Huntersville community throughout the 20th Century. The children of William and Ellen went on to serve their...

Abstract The Research Book Club was founded in 1913 and met twice a month. The club was active between 1913 and 1970 and met in the homes of its members. The community and the club’s members were kept up to date with club meetings and announcements in frequent Charlotte Observer articles. The last formal meeting was held in 1972. At the time, it was the second oldest book club in Charlotte.This collection contains 1 fragile scrapbook, meeting minutes from 1942-1972, and 73 annual...

Abstract Richard Casanova (1918-1994) was a World War II veteran, paleontologist, and author, among other trades. Casanova played a heavy role in researching the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence (Meck Dec). The provenance of these collection materials is unknown, but likely were donated by Casanova himself. Materials in this collection include audio-visual items on Meck Dec, documents relating to Latta Plantation, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Charter Commission, and miscellaneous correspondence and...

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The "Robert Gerald 'Hank' Utley Baseball Collection, 1909-2000" consists of research materials gathered by Robert Gerald “Hank” Utley for his book, "The Independent Carolina Baseball League," which he co-wrote with Scott Verner in 1999.

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This collection contains correspondence, manuscripts, lesson plans, music, poetry, photographs, and personal papers. The date range for collection materials is 1930-1994, with a majority of items dating 1959-1968. Many items are undated.

Abstract The Charlotte Rotary Club was chartered in October 1916 and was the 256th Rotary club established in the world. Charlotte’s club is the oldest and largest club in its district and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016. Rotary International is an organization that brings together business leaders from different sectors to engage in philanthropic activities, promote high ethical standards in their professions, and advance international goodwill. Charlotte’s club meets weekly to develop...

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The "Ruth M. Kilgo and Ray E. Hall WWII Letter Collection, 1943-1946" is an extensive collection of V-Mail correspondence between Ensign Ruth M. Kilgo and Private Ray E. Hall. (By the time they were discharged, Kilgo rose in rank to Lieutenant Junior Grade, and Hall rose to Second Lieutenant.) Their letters discussed daily life, military happenings, their love for one another, and a variety of other topics. Collection materials are in good condition and dated 1943-1946.

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The Sanitary Steam Laundry was incorporated by the State of North Carolina in May 1909 and served the Charlotte community through 1974. This collection contains documents with information on cost estimates for resources, floor plans, finances, correspondence, receipts, news clippings, and meeting minutes. Materials are dated 1909-1962 and in good condition.

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The Sesame Book Club was organized on February 27, 1951 in Charlotte, NC to discuss general culture and current event topics. Membership was set at 16 and new members were only accepted by unanimous ballot. Meetings were held on the last Friday of each month at a member’s home. Mrs. L.L. Autry was the club’s first president.

This collection contains annual programs dated 1956-1973, with information on book selections, members, officers, and By-Laws.

Content Description

The scrapbook contains newspaper clippings, photographs, sheet music, and other miscellaneous materials relating to Shout Freedom. Shout Freedom was a symphonic drama that celebrated the anniversary of the alleged signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. Collection materials are dated 1948 and in good condition.

Abstract Founded in 1934 by TV Pearson (the US Forest Service Intermountain Regional Forester), the smokejumping program enables firefighters to quickly contain forest fires by parachuting out of airplanes and fighting fires on rugged terrain. The first official fire jump occurred in 1940 overtop the Nez Pierce National Forest in Idaho. Smokejumpers require intense training to ensure they are equipped for exiting procedures, parachute maneuvering/retrieval, emergencies, and tree climbing. The...

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The Sorosis Book Club was a professional women's book club in Charlotte, North Carolina. Each program contains discussion topics, officers, committee members, addresses, telephone numbers, meeting dates, hostess, and presenter. Materials are dated 1906-1936.

Abstract The Southern Radio Corporation operated from 1930-1998 as a distributor of radios, record players, televisions, and home appliances. Its clients were independent electronics dealers throughout the Southeast. Its first quarters were in the J.A. Jones building on 208 S. Tryon St., but it relocated to 1625 W. Morehead St. in 1950, and remained there until closure. This collection contains minute books, ledgers, business records, manuals, promotional materials, photographs, newspaper...

Abstract The Joseph Steven Haas Family Papers, 1915-1937 includes materials relating to the Haas and Michael families. Joseph Steven “Steve” Haas (1929-2010) was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. His parents were Otto (1886-1943) and Lorena Jo Michael Haas (1886-1968). One of three children, his brothers were Otto Jr. Haas (1921-1981) and Benjamin Leopold Haas (1926-1977). Steve later went on to marry Bobbie Lee Anderson. He served in Korea as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps and worked as a...

Abstract Charles Raven Brockmann (1888-1970) was a notable man in Mecklenburg’s history, who co-owned and operated Brockmann’s Bookstore, served as Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Assistant Director, and managed the Library’s special collections and archive department. In addition to these roles, he was a talented writer who authored several notable works, to include The Hornets’ Nest, the Story of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, as well as the featured publication of this collection, Story of...

Abstract The Textiles Collection includes general information related to textile companies in North Carolina, and related textile-industry publications. Several of these companies merged throughout the 20th Century, filed bankruptcy, or closed. Companies for which information may be found in this collection include: American & Efird Mills, Inc., Charlotte; American Yarn and Processing Company, Mount Holly; Burlington Mills, Burlington; Cannon Mills, Kannapolis; Chadbourn Gotham,...

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“The Clubwoman” was a monthly bulletin of the Charlotte Woman’s Club, the city’s oldest civic organization. The first edition was published on October 7, 1936. The publication dealt with club activity and relayed important information to its club members. This collection contains original issues of “The Clubwoman” spanning from approximately 1936-1939 and 1943-1958.

Abstract Davidson College, a private liberal arts college located in Davidson, North Carolina, was founded in 1837 by the Concord Presbytery, with the school named in honor of William Lee Davidson, a Revolutionary War general. Formed in March 1914 by student vote, The Davidsonian, an independent student journal, "serves the community of Davidson College and the town of Davidson by reporting pressing and important stories with practices focused on fairness, transparency, and diversity." Students have...

Abstract The General Federation of Women’s Club (GFWC) is one of the world’s largest nondenominational women’s volunteer service organization. As of 2019, there are approximately 140 clubs in North Carolina. GFWC and its state clubs are active in many areas of service, including the arts, conservation, education, homelife, outreach, public issues, and leadership. This organization provides opportunities for women of all ages and backgrounds to develop skills that will advance them in their...

Abstract The “True Image: Gravestone Art and the Culture of Scotch Irish Settlers in the Pennsylvania and Carolina Backcountry” contains copies of research documents, book lists, indexes, literary sources, and a PowerPoint presentation created by author Daniel W. Patterson. Patterson utilized these materials while writing his book on the culture and experience of the Scotch Irish in America, which specifically explores the challenges the Scotch Irish faced: backwoods conditions, religious upheavals,...

Abstract Oscar Julius Thies was born in Dahlonega, Georgia, to Carl Adolf (1832-1917) and Mathilde Frederica Hegmann Thies (1834-1912) on February 6, 1870. Oscar moved to Charlotte, NC in 1906 and organized the Carolina Realty Company. This would become the Thies-Smith Realty Company in 1912, and later the Thies Realty and Mortgage Company in 1936. Thies was a highly respected builder, and Thies Realty built many of the homes in the Myers Park, Dilworth, and Elizabeth neighborhoods. They were among...

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The Third Ward Tax Valuation Collection contains newspaper clippings, photographs, tax line map drawings, and tax valuation forms that detail Third 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 1983-1987.

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The United Confederate Veterans organization was founded in 1889 to unify the all of the separate groups of confederate veterans, provide relief for veterans and their families, and erect monuments. Reunions were held each year in various southern locations, with the last held in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1951 (as of 2016).

This collection includes artifacts, documents, newspaper clippings, and publications. Materials are dated 1861-1932.

Abstract The Charlotte branch of the U.S. Mint was established in March 1835 and opened for coin production in July 1837. In 1844, the Charlotte branch of the U.S. Mint burned to the ground but reopened two years later in 1846. One month before North Carolina seceded from the Union, Confederate troops seized the Mint in 1861. No coins were minted after 1861, and the building was used for assay purposes until 1913. The building closed for four years until 1917 when the Mint was re-purposed as a Red...

Abstract This collection contains records from the following local book clubs: Dolly Madison Book Club, Bessie Dewey Book Club, Friday Afternoon Book Club, Lily Long Reading Society, Richard Tiddy Club, As You Like It Book Club, Current Topics Book Club, Renaissance Book Club, The Reviewers Book Club, Parnassus Book Club, Cover to Cover Book Club, The Quest Club, Panoramic Book Club, Veritas Book Club, El Viernes Book Club, John Charles McNeill Book Club, Entre Nous Book Club, Kosmos Book Club,...

Content Description The Victor Shaw Jr. Papers consist primarily of letters written by U.S. Army officer Victor Shaw Jr., a resident of Charlotte, North Carolina, while he was deployed overseas during World War II. The first letter was written in October 1944 while Shaw was still Stateside preparing to depart and conclude just before his return in June 1945. He wrote home frequently to his father, Victor Shaw Sr.; mother, Elsie Shaw; and younger sister Elsie. His letters avoid details of battle, instead...

Abstract The Virginia Dare Book Circle was first organized in 1893 with twelve members. The book circle chose a different topic to study for each year and met every two weeks to discuss. The Virginia Dare Circle was formed as a social, literary, and historical women’s club. The Club was organized to educate women on notable women in North Carolina’s history while providing a place for socializing and community building.This collection contains programs, papers, and minutes dated...

Abstract Walter Wilford Kale (1897-1983) was born in Cleveland County, NC and moved to Charlotte with his family at a young age. In 1925, he partnered with his brother, Walker, and A.J. Lawing to form the Kale-Lawing Company. Their company sold office supply products from its storefront on 227 South Tryon Street until the 1980s. The papers in this collection include financial and business records, correspondence, genealogical information, photographs, awards, and records relating to the...

Abstract The Wilkes-Smedberg Papers is a collection of letters sent to and from John “Jack” Wilkes (1827-1908) and his wife, Jane “Jeanie” Renwick Smedberg Wilkes (1827-1913). Through family connections they were related to some of New York City’s most prominent families, including the Jeffreys, Wilkes, Auchincloss, Brevoort, Irving, among many others. Jeanie is well-known for her efforts in fundraising for St. Peter's Hospital (for the white community), and Good Samaritan Hospital (for the Black...

Abstract William Erskine Ardrey (1839-1907) was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He enlisted in the Confederate Army as a Private in Company K, 30th North Carolina Infantry, later advanced to Captain, and served for the duration of the war. Following the war’s end, he was a farmer and served as a representative in the State Legislature. Captain Ardrey was buried in the Harrison United Methodist Church Cemetery in Pineville. This collection contains a typewritten copy of William Erskine...