Main Library - Carolina Room Collections & Archives
Historic - General
Personalities, buildings and scenes of historic Charlotte are
preserved in the thousands of print images cataloged. Especially
important are architectural images of structures long ago torn
down by Charlotte leaders. A city prone to new, new, new has
replaced many old structures with skyscrapers. Thus, a look a
Charlotte's past is only possible through images captured by the
camera.
Charlotte Observer Negatives
During the late 1980's PLCMC and the Charlotte Observer
reached an agreement that made PLCMC the permanent depository for
negatives related to photographs appearing in the Charlotte
Observer. The negatives date from 1956 to 1994.
They currently number approximately ten million and improved
methods of storage and access are being investigated. Heavy use
by the public and researchers dictates that the collection is as
useable as possible.
Postcards
This image collection is primarily artistic interpretations of
the subjects. Thus the collection is important for the image
content and the method of production. Although some are defaced
by postmarks and handwriting, the overall condition is good. The
collection is small containing about 200 images. However, it is
sometimes the only remaining evidence of homes, buildings or
scenes from Charlotte's past.
This collection was a bonus that resulted from another
project. In 1992, PLCMC published the "African American Album",
The Black Experience in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Area
residents brought more than 1500 photographs to the library for
possible inclusion in the album. They were photographed and the
negatives and contact prints were cataloged to create the African
American Collection.
Two hundred of the images from this collection are available
in a digital format on a Kodak CD.
Jewish Community
A similar project has been coordinated by the Jewish Comunity
Center. For several years, during Family History Day, members of
the Jewish community have brought in family collections. Copy
negatives and prints were made and these have been shared with
the library.
Fortunately the reputation of The Carolina Room has encouraged
several notable Charlotteans to donate their personal papers to
the Archives. These documents not only preserve their
accomplishments but also their personalities. Scholars may
arrange to view and use these materials by appointment. This
initial list is only a sample of the collection. Eventually all
collections will be described and linked to a more complete
description and itemization of contents.
Howell Papers
The papers of Mary Brevard Alexander Howell span the years from
the late 1800's to her death in 1988. Family photographs and
materials belonging to her mother and husband contribute to those
items which predate Howell's birth in 1901. The major portion of
the materials reflect various periods in her life: high school
and college, her early years as a wife and mother in Charlotte,
N.C., and her elderly years. Almost all of the materials are of a
personal nature. Strengths of the collection are the groups of
correspondence from college, her engagement and early married
years, and letters received from soldiers during both World Wars.
Many items of interest from the Charlotte area can be found in
the printed materials series. This collection does not contain
extensive information pertaining to her many civic and club
activities. Access: There is one restriction in this collection.
Materials from Ellen Gilcrist are restricted and cannot be
accessed until 2002. Finding aids are available for series and
file units in this collection.
Harry Golden
This prominent writer and editor was a leading figure from the
Charlotte Jewish community. He founded and edited the Carolina
Israelite. Although no longer published, The Carolina Room
collection is on microfilm and dates 1944 - 1968. A complete run
of this publication and the history it contains is a valuable
asset to the library and patrons. The Harry Golden collection
contains more than150 documents and thousands of working papers.
D.A. Tompkins
Former owner of the Charlotte Observer and textile
industrialist, D.A. Tompkins left numerous papers and scrapbooks
to the archives. The scrapbooks are especially significant as
they contain many photographs of the early cotton mill industry
which was once a vital part of Charlotte's economy. Tompkins
owned the Charlotte Observer for more than twenty years. He died
in 1914 and is credited with building much of the New South.
Cranford Book Club
Now more than 100 years old, the records of this club provide
an excellent portrait of women in Charlotte. It transcends a time
when great social changes eventually led to the right to vote for
women. Minutes of meetings reveal concerns beyond tea and
needlepoint. Often neglected in history, these materials reveal a
vital and active group of women. The club is still active in
Charlotte.
From the 1920s to the 1940s, Charlotte was one of the
locations where major record companies would seek out local
talent. Today, many artists from across the country continue to
record in some of Charlotte's studios. The Charlotte Music
Archives has one of the largest collections of local alternative
music in North Carolina. From gospel to country; from bluegrass
to folk; from bebop to pop to hip-hop, the music of the Carolinas
can be discovered in the Charlotte Music Archives.
The library is a full depository for all local documents.
Complete sets of minutes from City Council and County Commission
meetings are available for review. Newsletters, budgets, urban
growth plans, agency annual reports and crime statistics are just
a few of the documents filed with in the local document area.
All materials produced by NC state government and agencies are
deposited in the Carolina Room. Due to the quanity and as a paper
saving measure, they are received as microfiche. The documents
are fully cataloged and appear on all public access catalog
terminals. Reader/printer equipment is available for access and
making copies of the state materials.
Population, per capita income and race are frequently
requested statistics. In addition to 1990 census data, some
projections can be obtained from the North Carolina State Data
Center accessed through the LINC computer lines by Carolina Room
staff. Links to other information can be found on the PLCMC
Links page under "North Carolina." Mortality and
morbidity studies by the state are also available. By working
with the Main Library's Information Services department on the
second floor and other agencies such as the Chamber of Commerce,
patrons can compile a profile of the immediate area.
Maps depicting early development of the Carolinas and
eventually Charlotte are available. Most are reproductions or
copies of the originals. However, some original city maps from
the late 19th and early 20th century are in the collection.
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