Historical Book Club of North Carolina Records

Collection

Identifier: MSS 0108

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Historical Book Club of North Carolina Records, 1947-2003, include meeting minutes, correspondence, speeches, photographs, scrapbooks, financial reports, newspaper clippings, audio tapes, constitution and by-laws, all related to the Club's business, activities, and events. The majority of the material was collected by various club officers through the years.

Dates

1947 - 2003

Creator

Historical Book Club of North Carolina (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information. Please see our Sensitive Materials Statement.

Biographical or Historical Information

The Historical Book Club of North Carolina was organized in Greensboro in October 1947. Sponsored by the Guilford Battle Chapter of the DAR, the Club's original purpose was to meet three times each year in order to keep abreast of new books of general history. With Clara Booth Byrd as president (a post she kept until 1965), the Club grew to include members from across North Carolina and to include books in all classifications. The Club sponsored an annual Town Meeting on Books and a Book and Author Luncheon. Nationally known authors attended these events and the occasions became special in the cultural life of Greensboro and North Carolina. In 1952, the Club established the Sir Walter Raleigh Award, given annually for the best work of fiction by a North Carolinian. In 1957, the Club changed its name to the Historical Book Club of North Carolina.

Extent

9.00 Linear Feet (10 boxes, 2 scrapbooks)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Historical Book Club of North Carolina was organized in 1947 to discuss and keep abreast of new books of general history. Over the years, the Club's mission grew to include literature of other genres by North Carolina authors. The Club has held four events per year for most of its history, and established the Sir Walter Raleigh Award for fiction in 1952.

The Historic Book Club of North Carolina Records include minutes, correspondence, speeches, photographs, scrapbooks, financial reports, newspaper clippings, audio tapes, constitution and by-laws dating from 1947-2003.

Arrangement Note

Series 1. General Correspondence, 1947-1989 and undated Series 2. Events, 1948-2002 and undated Series 3. Minutes and Minutes Books, 1947-1961, 1965-2002 Series 4. Additional Materials Series 5. Presidents Records Books, 1989-1991, 1993-2000 Series 6. Financial Papers, 1955-2003

Method of Acquisition

Gift of Clara Booth Byrd in Sept., 1991; Oct., 1992; June, 1993; April, 1995. Transfers from UNCG History Dept., various dates.

Related Materials

Clara Booth Byrd Papers, Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC, USA.

Sir Walter Raleigh Award Statuette, given by Historical Book Club of N.C. in honor of Clara Booth Byrd, Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC, USA.

Offensive Language Statement

The UNC Greensboro University Libraries collects, preserves, and makes accessible unique and historical materials for learning and research. The nature of historical materials is such that some material may represent positions, norms, and values that are offensive and objectionable. These materials represent the opinions and actions of their creators. By providing access to these records in our reading room and through our digital collections, we recognize that archives and rare books can play a vital role in holding those creators accountable and in helping us learn from the past.

Our finding aids and other collection descriptions may occasionally re-use language provided by creators or former holders of the materials, but we strive to place outdated or offensive terminology in context. That said, we recognize that we may not always make the right decision and welcome feedback from all sources so we can learn and adjust our practices. Please contact us at scua@uncg.edu if you encounter problematic language in our finding aids or other collection description. We will review the language and, as appropriate, update it in a way that balances preservation of the original context with our ongoing commitment to describing materials with respectful and inclusive language.