Carolina College Collection Finding Aid

Introduction

Carolina College was a Methodist college and preparatory school for women which operated in Maxton, North Carolina, from 1912 until 1926. In the fall of 1927, the school failed to reopen due to financial difficulties. The property was subsequently sold to Presbyterian Junior College (which later became St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, North Carolina)and then to Carolina Military Academy. A 1973 fire in the main building of the then-closed Carolina Military Academy apparently destroyed all of the official records of Carolina College. Contents of a cornerstone laid in the main building in 1909 are available in the North Carolina State Archives.

The materials in the Carolina College Collection were accumulated by students and alumnae of Carolina College. The collection measures approximately five linear feet, the bulk of which consists of documents, photographs, and scrapbooks. The first part of the collection (Series 1) consists of materials generated during the lifetime of Carolina College, including photographs, publications, and insignia pins. The second part of the collection (Series 2) consists of materials generated by the Carolina College Alumnae Association (CCAA).

At its inception, the CCAA affiliated itself with Presbyterian Junior College. When the campus was sold to Carolina Military Academy, the Association members continued to meet on the site of their old alma mater. When Carolina Military Academy closed, the Association began meeting at Methodist College in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

When the CCAA met on the Methodist College campus, materials were periodically given to Dr. Bill Lowdermilk, the Methodist College liaison to the CCAA, for safekeeping. Over the years, the materials grew to their current size and scope. In 2001, when some steps from the old Carolina College campus were dedicated on the Methodist College campus, Taylor McMillan, the son of long-time CCAA president Rhoda Holden McMillan, donated a scrapbook of Carolina College materials and a copy of the Carolina College history Carolina Echoes which had annotations and corrections penned in by his mother. Few details are available concerning the provenance of the remainder of the collection.

Within the limitations of fair use, there are no restrictions on access to or reproduction of materials in the collection.

Library of Congress subject headings:

• Carolina College (Maxton, N.C.)
• Methodist Episcopal Church, South -- Education.
• Women -- Education -- North Carolina.

Box and container listings

Series 1, Box 1: Original materials

1. President Ernest J. Green and his wife

Photocopies [?] on heavy paper of portraits of Ernest J. Green and his wife; a note in the file states that "she was a nurse"

2. Letters to Thelma Dixon

Note card with information about Miss Edna Sprague and Miss Olivia Cheatham
Letters from Sallie Lou McKinnon (no date; April 27, 1917; June 12, 1917; May 29, 1916; July 22, 1920, from Mokansan, China; August 6, 1819 [1918], from Karuiaawa [sic], Japan; February 14, 1919, en route to Huchow, China)

3. Mrs. John (from Tina Fussell Wilson)

Letters to Tina from Mrs. John (December 31, 1928; January 14, 1950)
Photocopy and transcript of a letter to Tina from Mrs. John written not long after Mr. John died (May 15, 19??)
Newsclippings from the Fayetteville Observer concerning the gas explosion which killed Mrs. John and destroyed her house (February 11, 1953)

4. Articles

"Carolina College Closing Exercises Prove Successful" from the Morning Star, June 3, 1923 (provided by Myrtle Kirby?)
"Carolina College Commencement" from the Scottish Chief (newspaper) May 28, 1926
"Visitors at Carolina College Commencement" [appears to be from the same issue as above, but source is not certain]

5. Views of Carolina College

Informational booklet consisting primarily of pictures (no date)

6. Views of Carolina College
Informational booklet consisting primarily of pictures (1923)

7. Catalog, 1914-1915

8. Catalog [1916?]
Two copies (one using silver tint method, the other photocopied onto acid-free paper from the other copy)

9. Catalog, 1919-1920

10. Catalog, 1922-1923

11. Catalog, 1924-1925

12. Carolinian, vol. I, no. 1 (December/January 1915/1916
Transcription from a deteriorated copy of a poem by Helen May Seabolt that was on the title page of the volume ("In the walls of Carolina")

13. Carolinian, vol. I, no. 3 (1916
The student literary and social magazine

14. Carolinian, vol. II, no. 3 (1917
The student literary and social magazine

15. Pine Cone (1923)
The student annual (yearbook) [has water damage and signs of previous mold infestation]

16. Pine Cone (1924)
The student annual (yearbook)

17. Pine Cone (1925)
The student annual (yearbook)

18. Commencement Programs
Graduation programs for 1921 (3 copies)

19. Bond note
Original bond note for Carolina College -- #49, for $250 -- notes 1-13 (through 1923 apparently clipped and redeemed

20. Ephemera:

YWCA welcome card
Admission ticket to "Dearies" (April 30th, 8 p.m.)
Card: "Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin N. Duke gratefully acknowledge your kind expression of sympathy"

Two cards: "Insignia of Carolina College, 1911-1926" (no illustration or example attached)

Two calling cards from David Arville "Uncle Dave" Pierce

Page from the "Fourth volume" of the Pine cone, with a picture of and dedication to "Uncle Dave"

Postcard from Sallie Hart and Mabel Hamill to Gus Hasty (with picture of Old Faithful)

Wedding announcement for Thulia Kate Myrick and William M. Lowerre

Commencement invitation (1923)

Program for "Senior Pianoforte Recital" (April 17th, 1925)

Program for "Student's Banquet to the Alumnae" (December 18, 1925)

Program and menu for Thanksgiving (November 27th, 1924)

Program for "The Interrupted Proposal" and "The Bull Pup and the Baby" presented by the Quehele Dramatic Club (December 11th, 1925)

21. Scrapbook Pages from Margaret Capes Andrews
Poems, signatures, invitations, mementos (portions of four pages)

Series 1, Box 2: Typed Article Transcripts

Note: In the 1970's, Ester Evans transcribed articles from the Raleigh Christian Advocate and the North Carolina Christian Advocate which mentioned Carolina College. These files contain those transcriptions and related information.

1. Correspondence concerning transcribed articles
From Ester [Evans] to Rhoda [Holden McMillan], 1973

2. Advocate typescripts
Handwritten at top: "3rd installment"

3. Ester Evans' copy of the Raleigh Christian Advocate/North Carolina Christian Advocate transcript
[Written on paper bag in which they were stored: "Ester's copy"]

4. Notes about Carolina College from the Journal of the North Carolina Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and the Raleigh Christian Advocate
[these photocopies have handwritten notes in the margin - possibly from Bill Lowdermilk?]

5. Copies of articles from the Raleigh Christian Advocate, January 11, 1912 - December 7, 1916 [originally housed in sheet protectors in black three-ring binders]

6. Copies of articles from the Raleigh Christian Advocate, March 8, 1917 - August 5, 1926 [originally housed in sheet protectors in black three-ring binders]

7. Copies of articles from the Journal of the North Carolina Conference, December 1906 - November 1928 [originally housed in sheet protectors in black three-ring binders]

Series 1, Box 3: Photograph Album, Anonymous

Unbound black photograph album (41 leaves, 11" (28 cm) x 7" (18 cm)) with photos glued in or mounted using photo corners. Some photos are labeled. Many photos have been removed.

Series 1, Box 4: Photograph Albums, Bullard and Evans

Bullard: Bound photograph album (17 leaves, 8" (20 cm) x 6" (15 cm) with photos glued in. Some photos are labeled. Glued inside the front cover is a short article ("Special to the Star" entitled "Carolina College girls hold May Day exercises" with "1922" in ink. It is signed "Georgia Bethea Bullard." An inscription on the opposite page in pencil says, "Present by Uncle Dave in the year of 1939 about six months before his death --- Georgia."

Evans: Bound (with elastic) photograph album (9 leaves, 11" (28 cm) x 7" (18 cm)) with photos glued in. Some photos are labeled. A note on the cover says, "The snapshots in this folder were contributed by Esther Evans and are from the picture album assembled by her while a student in the Preparatory Department at Carolina College, 1918-1921."

Series 1, Box 5: Photograph album, Dixon

Bound black photograph album (32 leaves (photos on one side only), 11" (28 cm) x 7" (18 cm)) with photos glued in. Most photos are labeled, and there are some historical annotations. Some photos are labeled. Many photos have been removed. There is a title: "A Glimpse of Carolina as Seen by Thelma Dixon" and a note: "The pictures in this album were made or collected by Thelma Dixon of Hookerton, N.C. while she was a student at Carolina College, Maxton, North Carolina. After two years at Carolina, 1914-1916, Thelma transferred to Greensboro College where she studied for two years and received her Bachelor of Arts degree."

Series 1, Box 6: Photograph album, Fussell

Bound black photograph album (approximately 50 leaves, 11" (28 cm) x 7" (18 cm)) with photos glued in. Some photos are labeled. Many photos have been removed. There are letters from "Uncle Dave" near the back. A copy of the Carolina College Alumnae Association Constitution is glued to the inside back cover.

Series 1, Box 7: Photographs, Miscellaneous, #1

Loose photographs were scattered throughout the boxes of Carolina College material. Several envelopes of photographs contained annotations or other information. No attempt was made to sort materials by date or by subject, but photographs in envelopes or otherwise related were kept together. The photographs consist primarily of snapshots of students. Other subjects include teachers, student activities, and buildings.

Section 1 - Originally glued to a piece of deteriorating construction paper

Section 2 - Originally glued to various pieces of cardboard and posterboard

Section 3 - Originally together in an envelope sent from Methodist College (probably Bill Lowdermilk's office) to Rhoda McMillan, postmarked June 21, 1974

Section 4 - Originally loose amongst the Carolina College materials

Section 5 - Originally in an envelope marked "Thelma's, 14-16"

Series 1, Box 8: Photographs, Miscellaneous, #2

Several envelopes of photographs contained annotations or other information. No attempt was made to sort materials by date or by subject, but photographs in envelopes or otherwise related were kept together. The photographs consist primarily of snapshots of students. Other subjects include teachers, student activities, and buildings.

Section 1 - Originally in an envelope marked "Early (My Years)" ["My Years" possibly refering to Rhoda McMillan?]

Section 2 - Originally in an envelope marked "May Day, 1918," and "account in Raleigh Christian Advocate, 5/9/18"

Section 3 - Originally in an envelope marked "May Day, 1921"

Section 4 - Originally in an envelope marked "Art Dept."

Section 5 - Originally in an envelope marked "Callie Pridgeon Williams pictures"

Section 6 - Originally in an envelope with a return address of Frederick C. Frostick, Jr., to Mrs. Neil Collins, Jr., and marked "Teachers"

Section 7 - Originally in an envelope marked "Uncle Dave"

Section 8 - Originally in an envelope marked "Early (Before Me)" ["Me" possibly refering to Rhoda McMillan?]

Section 9 - Originally in an envelope marked "Dramatics"

Section 10 - Originally in an envelope marked "Outdoor Activities"

Section 11 - Originally in an envelope marked "Buildings"

Section 12 - Originally in an folder marked "Miss Chappelle - important." Items inside were apparently from Iris [Chappelle?] Turlington and were dated 5/23/73. See Series 2, Box 2, Folder 4 "From Iris (Chappell) Turlington" for accompanying notes and articles. One note says "These pictures were from a play Jeddie Mae and I were in."

Duplicates

Series 1, Box 9: Books

The Psalms (170 p., 4" (9 cm) x 5" (12 cm). S.l. : Thomas Nelson, c1901. Inscription inside: "To Esther, with love from Uncle Dave" with a date in different handwriting, "Dec. 25, 1917" [1927?]

Fosdick, Harry Emerson. The Meaning of Prayer (196 p., 5" (12 cm) x 7" (17 cm). New York: National Board of the Young Women's Christian Associations, c1915. Inscribed: "Iris Chappelle, Sept. 1916"

Elliott, Harrison Sackett and Ethel Cutler. Student Standards of Action, first year, part 1 (165 p., 5" (12 cm) x 7" (17 cm). Inscribed: "Iris Chappelle"

Series 1, Box 10: Scrapbook, Fussell

A cloth-bound scrapbook entitled "My Senior Year" compiled by Tina Fussell, who graduated in 1919. The book contains photographs, annotations (both contemporary captions and thoughts added at a later date), programs, letters, report cards, signatures, news clippings, and similar information.

Series 1, Box 11: Artifacts

2 class rings
1 silver fork engraved "CC"
Purple "Carolina" pennant [stored outside of box]

Series 1, Box 12: Scrapbook, McMillan

A spiral-bound scrapbook compiled by Rhoda Holden (married name: McMillan) containing photographs, captions and explanations, and programs.
Copy of "Carolina Echoes" with corrections penned in by Rhoda McMillan

Series 2, Box 1: Carolina College Alumnae Association, Files

Note: These materials were originally organized in 2 three-ring binders.

1. Songs
[Carolina College, We Love You] - mimeographed words and music
[Carolina College, We Love You] by Louise S. Ricks
[Carolina, Our Dear Alma Mater] by Georgia B. Bullard -- mimeographed words
[Eleven songs from the first part of the century] - typed words
"Memories" -- mimeographed words

2. Address lists: Handwritten, photocopied, and typed lists showing names and addresses of alumnae

3. Questionnaires for book
Approximately 40 information sheets returned to Dorothy Collins by alumnae which were used in compiling "Carolina Echoes." Information includes maiden and married name; address while attending Carolina College; present address; years attended Carolina College; president of Carolina College when you attended; favorite teachers; organizations or clubs and offices held; career; hobbies; "I remember best about my days at Carolina College";"; opinion on changing the reunion date; and names and addresses of children. Other information in the file includes a photograph of an unidentified woman, correspondence, and the words to "Carolina, Our Alma Mater."

4. News Clippings
Primarily from the 1970's, concerning the CCAA

5. Newsletters
The Carolinian (CCAA newsletter): No. 1 - July 20, 1969; No. 2 - May 5, 1970; Vol. 5, No. 2 - February 1974
The Cadet (Carolina Military Academy newsletter): No. 14 - August 1968; Number 22 - July 1, 1970; No. 24 - April 15, 1972 (these contain information about the CCAA)

6. Register '68, '69
The sign-in register for the 1968 and 1969 CCAA reunion, showing names and some addresses

7. CCCA Records, 1968
Correspondence concerning the first reunion Program Resolution forming the CCAA Minutes
Blank CCAA membership cards

8. CCAA Records, 1969
Registration forms for the meeting
Program for the Second Annual Carolina College Day at Carolina Military Academy
News articles about the reunion - carbon copies
Correspondence (private and to the membership)
The Carolinian: No. 1 - July 20, 1969

9. CCAA Records, 1970
Registration forms for the meeting Correspondence (private and to the membership)
Program for the Third Annual Meeting of the CCAA
The Carolinian: No. 2 - May 5, 1970 (2 copies)
Newsclipping from the Lumberton Robesonian (July 12, 1970) about Carolina College (glued to heavy paper)

10. CCAA Records, 1971
Correspondence (private and to the membership); includes extensive biographical information on Dr. Nora C. Chaffin, who attended Carolina College from 1919-1920
Press releases regarding Carolina Echoes Program for Carolina Day, 1971
Commencement program for Carolina Military Academy
Registration forms for the meeting
Two samples of Carolina College note cards

11. CCAA Records, 1972
Registration forms for the meeting Correspondence (private and to the membership)
Speech by Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives given at the Fifth Annual Meeting of the CCAA Program for the 1972 meeting of the CCAA
Commencement program for Carolina Military Academy

12. CCAA Records, 1973
Correspondence (private and to the membership)
CCAA address lists
Newsclipping from the Lumberton Robesonian (November 8, 1973) about the destruction by fire of the main building at the former Carolina College/Carolina Military Academy

13. CCAA Records, 1974
Correspondence (private and to the membership)
Program for and minutes of (incomplete) the 1974 reunion of the CCAA

14. CCAA Records, 1975
Letter from Esther [Esther Evans?] transmitting "several pages of a photograph album I had during Carolina College and early Trinity College days." (Album pages have been separated from letter.)

15. CCAA Records, Undated
Newspaper advertisement for "Carolina Echoes"
Poem, "Memories of My College Days of 1915 and 1916" by Louise Shavender Ricks
Newspaper article (photocopy), "Carolina College Closing Exercises Prove Successful"
Flower transfer decal
"Maxton Carolina College Alumnae Roster as of April 24, 1992"
Correspondence (private)
Draft of a CCAA meeting program, undated
Handout containing the mission statement of Carolina College, 20 facts about Carolina College, and a photocopy of a drawing of Carolina College
Photocopy of an ink drawing of the main Carolina College building

The following files were received by Methodist College in sheet protectors housed in black three-ring binders and probably constitute the records that members of the CCAA wished to preserve for posterity.

16. Alma Mater and Constitution
[Carolina College, We Love You] by Louise S. Ricks and [Carolina, Our Dear Alma Mater] by Georgia B. Bullard - mimeographed words
Carolina College Alumnae Association Constitution

17. 1955
Information about the 1955 Homecoming activities at Presbyterian Junior College, and an invitation for Carolina College alumnae to attend

18. 1967
Typed article about four Carolina College alumnae who visited Carolina Military Academy and plans for a "Carolina College Day"

19. 1968
Resolution establishing the "Carolina College Alumnae Association"
Program for "Carolina College Day" at Carolina Military Academy
Minutes from the meeting
Photograph (black and white, 8" x 10") of attendees
Newsclipping from the Lumberton Robesonian with above picture and list of attendees

20. 1969
Program for "Second Annual Carolina College Day" at Carolina Military Academy
Typed article about the reunion (handwritten date: June 21, 1969)
The Carolinian: Number One, July 20, 1969
Letter from Harold D. Stanley, President of CMA, to the CCAA members
Letter to the CCAA membership

21. 1970
The Carolinian - Number Two, May 5, 1970
Program for the "Third Annual Meeting" of the CCAA
Newsclipping from the Laurinburg Exchange (July 1, 1970) with a picture of reunion attendees

22. 1971
"Carolina Day" program
Newsclipping from the Laurinburg Exchange (June 1971) with a picture of reunion attendees
Small black and white photo of reunion attendees
Resolution announcing the election of Rhoda Holden McMillan as the CCAA president
Newsclipping from the Fayetteville Observer (May 7, 1971) about the meeting
Invitation to a reception honoring past CCAA president Mabel Clifton Stansel and incoming president Rhoda Holden McMillan

23. 1972
Program for the annual meeting
Newsclipping (May 6, 1972) showing reunion attendees
Newsclipping (no date) noting that the CCAA was affiliating with Methodist College, since CMA was closing
Map of Methodist College
Correspondence (private and to the membership)
Newsclipping showing Methodist College dean Samuel Womack and CCAA president Rhoda Holden McMillan with the Carolina College hall tree
Newsclipping from the Laurenburg Exchange (June 12, 1972) stating that the CCAA records were to be housed at East Carolina University (Editor's note: as far as can be determined, this never happened)
Financial statement
Newsclipping (May 5, 1972) announcing speakers for the reunion
Black and white photographs of a reception attended by members of the CCAA

24. 1974
Correspondence (private and to the membership)
The Carolinian: Vol. 5, no. 1 - March 1973
Planning notes
Information about Winnie McBryde, the Carolina College Award recipient
Photographic negatives for photos of reunion attendees
Program for Carolina College Alumnae Day
Minutes from the meeting and Historical Committee report
Newsclipping showing Bill Lowdermilk, Rhoda Holden McMillan, and Dorothy Collins (June 23, 1973)
Black and white photograph of reunion attendees
Photocopied article from the Fayetteville Observer (November 12, 1973) about the burning of the main building on the former Carolina College campus Newsclipping from the Laurenburg Exchange (November 19, 1973) showing part of the building after the fire

25. 1975
The Carolinian: Vol. 5, No. 2 - February 1974; Vol. 6, No. 1 - October 1974
Correspondence (to the membership)
Executive Committee meeting minutes (March 10, 1974)
Information about Mary MacPherson Spilman, the Carolina College Award recipient
"Carolina College Alumnae Day" program, address by Methodist College president Dr. Richard Pearce, and minutes Newsclippings from the Lumberton Robesonian and the Fayetteville Observer (both dated June 24, 1974) highlighting the reunion

26. 1975
"Carolina College Alumnae Day" program and minutes
Correspondence (to the membership)
The Carolinian: Vol.7, No. 2 - October 1975

27. 1976
Correspondence (to the membership)
"Carolina College Alumnae Day" program and minutes

28. 1977
The Carolinian: Vol. 8, No. 1 - January 1977
"Carolina College Alumnae Day" program and minutes

29. 1978
Correspondence (private and to the membership)
Minutes from the annual meeting
Words for songs from the 20's
Bulletin of Methodist College, Vol. 19, No. 4 (1978) with an article about the CCAA reunion

30. 1979
Correspondence (to the membership)
"Carolina College Alumnae Day" program and minutes
Newsclipping about Alice Pearce, mother of Methodist College president Dr. Richard Pearce
Words for songs from the 20's

31. 1980
Correspondence (private and to the membership)
"Carolina College Alumnae Day" program and minutes
Carolina College alma mater (words)
Blank Carolina College award form

32. 1981
Correspondence (to the membership)
"Carolina College Alumnae Day" program and minutes
Carolina College alma mater (words)

33. 1982
Correspondence (private and to the membership)
"Carolina College Alumnae Day" program and minutes
Financial statement
Carolina College alma mater (words)

34. 1983
Correspondence (private and to the membership)
"Carolina College Alumnae Day" program and minutes
Financial statement
Carolina College alma mater (words)

35. 1984
Correspondence (private and to the membership)
"Carolina College Alumnae Day" program and minutes
Financial statement

36. 1985
Correspondence (private and to the membership)
"Carolina College Alumnae Day" program and minutes
Financial statement

37. Photographs
Black and white photographs of annual reunions, various years

Series 2, Box 2: Carolina College Alumnae Association, Correspondence

1. Dorothy Collins
These letters were paperclipped together and mixed in with correspondence addressed to Rhonda Holden McMillan. Much of the correspondence is of a social nature ("Sorry I can't..."), but any historical information they contain is noted below.

2. Rhoda Holden McMillan

These letters were originally in a flat box. Much of the correspondence is of a social nature ("Sorry I can't make the meeting" - "So-and-so is in the hospital" - "Thank you for organizing a wonderful meeting"), but any historical information they contain is noted below. Dates are the ones found on the letters; if the letter is undated, the postmark is used if available.