Education

Abstract The American Association of University Women (AAUW) had its first meeting in 1881 in Boston, Massachusetts. Marian Talbot and Ellen Richards, along with fifteen alumnae from eight colleges, met to discuss the needs of college-educated women. Dedicated to promoting equality and education among women and girls, the AAUW has over 170,000 members and supporters, 1000 local branches, and 800 college and university partners (as of 2015). The Charlotte branch of the AAUW began in 1913...

Abstract

The Athenae Book Club was a women’s book club that studied various subjects through reading, lectures, and poetry. The book club had a monthly theme that the discussion was centered around. Each meeting was hosted by a different member.

This collection contains Athenae Book Club programs dated 1905-1950, a newspaper clipping, and three sets of reading notes. Materials are in good condition.

Abstract

The Board of Education serves as the governing body for the public school district, with elected Board members responsible for ensuring that school operations and employees comply with the policies in place. This collection contains Board of Education annual reports for Charlotte City Schools dated 1890-1940.

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The Charlotte public school system was founded in 1882, with TJ Mitchell serving as the first superintendent of the segregated school district. This collection contains Mecklenburg County budget books for the schools, listing school information by township. Each entry includes data om operational budgets. Materials are in fair condition and dated 1861-1918.

Abstract

The Carolina Book Club was founded in May 1939 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Collection materials include essays, meeting minutes, financial records, and other miscellaneous materials relating to the club. Materials are dated 1939-1986 and in good condition, with some documents in poor condition due to fragility.

Abstract Central High School opened c1908 as Charlotte High School and was located at Elizabeth Avenue and Cecil Street (now Kings Drive). It the first public high school in Charlotte. In 1923, the school was renamed Central High School, which became part of Central Piedmont Community College's campus c1963. This collection contains materials relating to the Central High School Class of 1947, to include newspaper clippings, photographs, and documents. Materials are dated 1947 and in good...

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This collection spans items related to the John C. and Ruth Kilgo family, as well as Charles Paty. The Kilgos were residents of Mecklenburg County and active members of the community. Charles Paty is a World War II veteran and was a friend of the Kilgo family. Both the Kilgos and Paty lived in the Plaza Midwood area of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Materials include: Clippings, Correspondence, Ephemera, Postcards, Printed Materials, Rosters, Negatives, and Photographs.

Abstract

The Charlotte Mecklenburg School system (CMS) was founded in 1882 with a mission to “maximize academic achievement by every student in every school”. This collection contains school directories and teacher handbooks from CMS, which document school and county leadership, Board of Education, professional and school organizations, educational philosophies, rules and regulations, and teacher and school contact information. Materials are dated 1934-1990 and in good condition.

Content Description This collection contains Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools report cards, which measures the nature and extent of student progress in each of the system's schools. Each report card contains three main sets of data: school description (describes the school-based staff), student participation (describes participation in and referral to attendance, enrollment, and other student-related goals), and student outcome (describes the readiness of student preparedness for the next grade level, as well as...

Abstract Belmont Vocational School was created to serve as a vocational school for the children of the Belmont and North Charlotte communities. It opened in September 1922 at 1400 Pegram Street, with Harry K. Moore serving as the first principal. The school was renamed Charlotte Technical High School in 1927. After the class of 1954 graduated, the school became Hawthorne Junior High. This collection includes diplomas, brief histories, photographs, and a scrapbook that relate to Tech...

Abstract The College Catalog Collection contains catalogs from the following institutions located in Charlotte, North Carolina: the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), Charlotte College (now UNCC), Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU), and Queens College (now Queens University). Charlotte College was a 2-year junior college that was originally located in the Central High School near Charlotte’s city center before reorganizing as part of the UNC...

Abstract The Downs/McCachren and Cappiello/Piscitelli Collection contains a variety of materials for the Downs, McCachren, Cappiello, and Piscitelli families. The Downs and McCachren families have been longtime residents of Cabarrus and Mecklenburg counties, while the Cappiello and Piscitelli families came from Italy and settled in New Haven, Connecticut. Anthony Piscitelli settled in Charlotte after marrying Alice McCachren in 1947. Members of these families for whom materials may be...

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...

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...

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...

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The objective of the Los Tiempos Book Club was to foster the culture and entertainment of its members. The programs and programs found in this collection include the names of the book club members, dates and locations for the meetings, a list of the books exchanged, and a copy of the constitution and by-laws. Materials are dated 1951-1970.

Abstract The Mecklenburg Citizens for Better Libraries (MCBL) was founded in 1967 as a local unit of the statewide Citizens for Better Libraries organization. The goal of the organization was to raise standards and provide library service to everyone in the county by encouraging collaboration among all the libraries within a 50-mile radius of Charlotte. The organization was involved in encouraging gifts and endowments, promoting legislative support for libraries and stimulating library use. They also...

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This collection contains scrapbooks, artifacts, bulletins and newsletters pertaining to local ornithology clubs including the Carolina Bird Club, the Mecklenburg Audubon Society, Parks and Recreation and private individuals’ personal collections. Materials are in good condition and dated 1926-2017.

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The Navajo Club was a social boys club at Central High School from 1927 to 1933. It was then reorganized on June 17, 1972. The club was for socializing only and did not carry any other qualifications for membership. Roughly 90% of the members served in World War 2. After the reorganization, members met on the first Friday of every month. This collection includes newspaper clippings, obituaries and photos of members of the Navajo Club spanning c1927-c1998.

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...

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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.

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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.

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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 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 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,...