This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the Duplication Policy section for more information.
Size | 47.0 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 24,000 items) |
Abstract | Gordon Gray (1909-1982) was a white lawyer, politician, public servant, newspaper publisher, radio and television station owner, and president of the University of North Carolina, 1950-1955. The collection consists of personal papers, office files, organizational records, photographs, and other material of Gordon Gray. Included is correspondence concerning Gray's newspaper, radio, and television interests in Winston-Salem, N.C.; his work with Wake Forest College, Bowman Gray Medical School, and the University of North Carolina system; his connections to President Dwight D. Eisenhower's administration; the trial between Piedmont Publishing Company and Charles ("Buddy") Rogers and his wife, Mary Pickford; and family, civic, and other business matters. The collection is especially rich concerning Gray's interest in historic preservation. His work with the Young Democratic Clubs of North Carolina, the Commission on the Financing of Hospital Care, and his terms in the North Carolina state senate are also represented. There are also genealogical materials Gray's Jewish ancestry. Volumes include scrapbooks, letters of appreciation, and appointment books. |
Creator | Gray, Gordon, 1909-1982. |
Curatorial Unit | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection. |
Language | English |
Processed by: Karen Jackson; David Weber, 1975; January 1988
Encoded by: Kathryn Michaelis, August 2010
Revisions by: Nancy Kaiser, January 2020; Nancy Kaiser and Nicholas Graham, March 2020; Nancy Kaiser, January 2021; Dawne Howard Lucas and Nicholas Graham, July 2021
The original series structure of this collection has been dismantled.
Since August 2017, we have added ethnic and racial identities for individuals and families represented in collections. To determine identity, we rely on self-identification; other information supplied to the repository by collection creators or sources; public records, press accounts, and secondary sources; and contextual information in the collection materials. Omissions of ethnic and racial identities in finding aids created or updated after August 2017 are an indication of insufficient information to make an educated guess or an individual's preference for identity information to be excluded from description. When we have misidentified, please let us know at wilsonlibrary@unc.edu.
Back to TopThe following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.
Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.
Gordon Gray (1909-1982) was a white lawyer, politician, public servant, newspaper publisher, radio and television station owner, and president of the University of North Carolina, 1950-1955.
Back to TopThe collection consists of personal papers, office files, organizational records, photographs, and other material of Gordon Gray. Included is correspondence concerning Gray's newspaper, radio, and television interests in Winston- Salem, N.C.; his work with Wake Forest College, Bowman Gray Medical School, and the University of North Carolina system; his connections with President Dwight D. Eisenhower's administration; the trial between Piedmont Publishing Company and Charles ("Buddy") Rogers and his wife, Mary Pickford; and family, civic, and other business matters. The collection is especially rich concerning Gray's interest in historic preservation. His work with the Young Democratic Clubs of North Carolina, the Commission on the Financing of Hospital Care, and his terms in the North Carolina state senate are also represented. There are also genealogical materials Gray's Jewish ancestry. Volumes include scrapbooks, letters of appreciation, and appointment books.
Back to TopArrangement: primarily chronological.
This series includes Gray's personal papers and office files as well as materials relating to the Young Democratic Clubs of North America, the North Carolina State Senate, the Commission on Financing of Hospital Care, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Folder 1-130
Folder 1Folder 2Folder 3Folder 4Folder 5Folder 6Folder 7Folder 8Folder 9Folder 10Folder 11Folder 12Folder 13Folder 14Folder 15Folder 16Folder 17Folder 18Folder 19Folder 20Folder 21Folder 22Folder 23Folder 24Folder 25Folder 26Folder 27Folder 28Folder 29Folder 30Folder 31Folder 32Folder 33Folder 34Folder 35Folder 36Folder 37Folder 38Folder 39Folder 40Folder 41Folder 42Folder 43Folder 44Folder 45Folder 46Folder 47Folder 48Folder 49Folder 50Folder 51Folder 52Folder 53Folder 54Folder 55Folder 56Folder 57Folder 58Folder 59Folder 60Folder 61Folder 62Folder 63Folder 64Folder 65Folder 66Folder 67Folder 68Folder 69Folder 70Folder 71Folder 72Folder 73Folder 74Folder 75Folder 76Folder 77Folder 78Folder 79Folder 80Folder 81Folder 82Folder 83Folder 84Folder 85Folder 86Folder 87Folder 88Folder 89Folder 90Folder 91Folder 92Folder 93Folder 94Folder 95Folder 96Folder 97Folder 98Folder 99Folder 100Folder 101Folder 102Folder 103Folder 104Folder 105Folder 106Folder 107Folder 108Folder 109Folder 110Folder 111Folder 112Folder 113Folder 114Folder 115Folder 116Folder 117Folder 118Folder 119Folder 120Folder 121Folder 122Folder 123Folder 124Folder 125Folder 126Folder 127Folder 128Folder 129Folder 130 |
Personal papers and office files, 1919-1947 |
Folder 131-186
Folder 131Folder 132Folder 133Folder 134Folder 135Folder 136Folder 137Folder 138Folder 139Folder 140Folder 141Folder 142Folder 143Folder 144Folder 145Folder 146Folder 147Folder 148Folder 149Folder 150Folder 151Folder 152Folder 153Folder 154Folder 155Folder 156Folder 157Folder 158Folder 159Folder 160Folder 161Folder 162Folder 163Folder 164Folder 165Folder 166Folder 167Folder 168Folder 169Folder 170Folder 171Folder 172Folder 173Folder 174Folder 175Folder 176Folder 177Folder 178Folder 179Folder 180Folder 181Folder 182Folder 183Folder 184Folder 185Folder 186 |
Personal papers and office files, September 1947-1955 |
Folder 187-246
Folder 187Folder 188Folder 189Folder 190Folder 191Folder 192Folder 193Folder 194Folder 195Folder 196Folder 197Folder 198Folder 199Folder 200Folder 201Folder 202Folder 203Folder 204Folder 205Folder 206Folder 207Folder 208Folder 209Folder 210Folder 211Folder 212Folder 213Folder 214Folder 215Folder 216Folder 217Folder 218Folder 219Folder 220Folder 221Folder 222Folder 223Folder 224Folder 225Folder 226Folder 227Folder 228Folder 229Folder 230Folder 231Folder 232Folder 233Folder 234Folder 235Folder 236Folder 237Folder 238Folder 239Folder 240Folder 241Folder 242Folder 243Folder 244Folder 245Folder 246 |
Personal papers and office files, 1956-January 1961 |
Folder 247-311
Folder 247Folder 248Folder 249Folder 250Folder 251Folder 252Folder 253Folder 254Folder 255Folder 256Folder 257Folder 258Folder 259Folder 260Folder 261Folder 262Folder 263Folder 264Folder 265Folder 266Folder 267Folder 268Folder 269Folder 270Folder 271Folder 272Folder 273Folder 274Folder 275Folder 276Folder 277Folder 278Folder 279Folder 280Folder 281Folder 282Folder 283Folder 284Folder 285Folder 286Folder 287Folder 288Folder 289Folder 290Folder 291Folder 292Folder 293Folder 294Folder 295Folder 296Folder 297Folder 298Folder 299Folder 300Folder 301Folder 302Folder 303Folder 304Folder 305Folder 306Folder 307Folder 308Folder 309Folder 310Folder 311 |
Personal papers and office files, 1961-1969 |
Folder 312-329
Folder 312Folder 313Folder 314Folder 315Folder 316Folder 317Folder 318Folder 319Folder 320Folder 321Folder 322Folder 323Folder 324Folder 325Folder 326Folder 327Folder 328Folder 329 |
Personal papers and office files, miscellaneous and undated |
Folder 330-421
Folder 330Folder 331Folder 332Folder 333Folder 334Folder 335Folder 336Folder 337Folder 338Folder 339Folder 340Folder 341Folder 342Folder 343Folder 344Folder 345Folder 346Folder 347Folder 348Folder 349Folder 350Folder 351Folder 352Folder 353Folder 354Folder 355Folder 356Folder 357Folder 358Folder 359Folder 360Folder 361Folder 362Folder 363Folder 364Folder 365Folder 366Folder 367Folder 368Folder 369Folder 370Folder 371Folder 372Folder 373Folder 374Folder 375Folder 376Folder 377Folder 378Folder 379Folder 380Folder 381Folder 382Folder 383Folder 384Folder 385Folder 386Folder 387Folder 388Folder 389Folder 390Folder 391Folder 392Folder 393Folder 394Folder 395Folder 396Folder 397Folder 398Folder 399Folder 400Folder 401Folder 402Folder 403Folder 404Folder 405Folder 406Folder 407Folder 408Folder 409Folder 410Folder 411Folder 412Folder 413Folder 414Folder 415Folder 416Folder 417Folder 418Folder 419Folder 420Folder 421 |
Young Democratic Clubs of North America materials |
Folder 422-440
Folder 422Folder 423Folder 424Folder 425Folder 426Folder 427Folder 428Folder 429Folder 430Folder 431Folder 432Folder 433Folder 434Folder 435Folder 436Folder 437Folder 438Folder 439Folder 440 |
North Carolina State Senate materials |
Folder 441-456
Folder 441Folder 442Folder 443Folder 444Folder 445Folder 446Folder 447Folder 448Folder 449Folder 450Folder 451Folder 452Folder 453Folder 454Folder 455Folder 456 |
Commission on Financing of Hospital Care materials |
Folder 457-525
Folder 457Folder 458Folder 459Folder 460Folder 461Folder 462Folder 463Folder 464Folder 465Folder 466Folder 467Folder 468Folder 469Folder 470Folder 471Folder 472Folder 473Folder 474Folder 475Folder 476Folder 477Folder 478Folder 479Folder 480Folder 481Folder 482Folder 483Folder 484Folder 485Folder 486Folder 487Folder 488Folder 489Folder 490Folder 491Folder 492Folder 493Folder 494Folder 495Folder 496Folder 497Folder 498Folder 499Folder 500Folder 501Folder 502Folder 503Folder 504Folder 505Folder 506Folder 507Folder 508Folder 509Folder 510Folder 511Folder 512Folder 513Folder 514Folder 515Folder 516Folder 517Folder 518Folder 519Folder 520Folder 521Folder 522Folder 523Folder 524Folder 525 |
National Trust for Historic Preservation materials |
Oversize Volume SV-3824/1 |
Volume 1: Oversize scrapbook |
Oversize Volume SV-3824/3 |
Volume 3: Oversize scrapbook |
Oversize Volume SV-3824/5-7
SV-3824/5SV-3824/6SV-3824/7 |
Volumes 5-7: Oversize scrapbooks |
Oversize Volume SV-3824/9-13, 15 |
Volumes 9-13, 15: Oversize scrapbooks |
Box 27 |
Volumes 2, 4, 8, 14, 16-20Primarily materials relating to Gray's publishing ventures, including Piedmont Publishing Company, the Winston-Salem Journal , and the Twin City Sentinel . |
Box 28 |
Volumes 21-26, 1950-1955One volume per year, 1950-1955, containing Gray's itineraries for out-of-town engagements. |
Arrangement: by subject.
These files, arranged according to subjects assigned by Gray, contain correspondence with influential individuals and with researchers interested in Gray's memories of the Truman and Eisenhower administrations, as well as material relating to various awards and honors. This material also reflects Gray's activities as a member or chair of several corporate and advisory boards and as a trustee of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Bowman Gray School of Medicine, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Historic preservation is a particularly prominent concern in these files, documented by material relating both to Gray's association with the National Trust and to his interest in the restoration of historical landmarks. Also well represented is Gray's involvement in organizations and projects commemorating the history of American government, especially of the United States Army, during the period in which he was a prominent figure.
Most items in this series are letters, but printed material, speeches, photographs, and newspaper clippings are also included. Many of the clippings predate the bulk of this accession.
Folder 526 |
Alfalfa Club |
Folder 527 |
American Cause |
Folder 528 |
American Institue of Architects |
Folder 529-531
Folder 529Folder 530Folder 531 |
ArchivesCorrespondence with various archival institutions regarding depositing Gray's papers. |
Folder 532 |
Atlas Powder Company Luncheon, 5 December 1949 |
Folder 533 |
Avalon Foundation |
Folder 534-537
Folder 534Folder 535Folder 536Folder 537 |
Bowman Gray School of Medicine |
Folder 538 |
Omar N. Bradley Foundation |
Folder 539 |
Christ Church Parish Bicentennial Committee |
Folder 540-544
Folder 540Folder 541Folder 542Folder 543Folder 544 |
ClippingsFrom various newspapers (particularly Winston-Salem and Washington, D.C.), these clippings chronicle many of the notable events in Gray's public and private life, from the late 1930s, when he formed Piedmont Publishing and was first elected state senator from Forsyth County, to his philanthropic years, the 1970s and early 1980s. |
Folder 545 |
"Communist Party, USA": Federal Bureau of Investigation memo, 24 June 1949These files contain letters of thanks and congratulations; letters from researchers and current government figures asking for memories and opinions regarding past and present issues of national security; letters seeking Gray's recommendation for entrance into a club, school or office; letters relating to the many projects and groups with which he was involved during these years, but which were not given separate subject files; and other correspondence of a predominately private nature. |
Folder 546 |
Correspondence: 1969-1973 |
Folder 547 |
Correspondence: 1974-1975 |
Folder 548 |
Correspondence: 1976-1977 |
Folder 549 |
Correspondence: 1978 |
Folder 550 |
Correspondence: 1979-1980 |
Folder 551 |
Correspondence: 1981-1982 |
Folder 552 |
Council for Basic Education |
Folder 553-554
Folder 553Folder 554 |
Crusade for Freedom, 1952 |
Folder 555-557
Folder 555Folder 556Folder 557 |
Crusade for Freedom, 1953 |
Folder 558 |
Dedication, Bowman Gray School of Medicine |
Folder 559 |
DeKE Fraternity, 1951-1952 |
Folder 560 |
DeKE Fraternity, 1954-1955 |
Folder 561 |
Eisenhower Monument Committee |
Folder 562 |
Federal City Council |
Folder 563 |
Georgetown Waterfront |
Folder 564 |
Frank Porter Graham |
Folder 565 |
George C. Marshall Foundation |
Folder 566 |
MiscellaneousThis file contains non-correspondence that is appropriate to no other subject file: certificates, programs, copies of printed material, and biographical information. |
Folder 567 |
National Academy of Public Administration |
Folder 568 |
National Council of ChurchesThis file owes its existence to the NCC's support for a national minimum wage, which Gray opposed, but it owes its noteworthiness to the glimpse it provides of certain conservative elements, particularly within the South, in 1965. |
Folder 569 |
National Gallery of Art |
Folder 570 |
National Infantry Museum Association |
Folder 571 |
National Manpower Council, 1951 |
Folder 572 |
National Manpower Council, 1952-1955 |
Folder 573-576
Folder 573Folder 574Folder 575Folder 576 |
National Trust for Historical Preservation |
Folder 577 |
National Trust for Historical Preservation: "A History of the National Trust" |
Folder 578 |
North Carolina Tuberculosis Association |
Folder 579 |
Old Salem |
Folder 580 |
Oral history interview about years under Truman, 1947-1951 |
Folder 581 |
Portrait by IkePhotocopy, negative, and information about a sketch of Gray made by Dwight D. Eisenhower during a National Security Council meeting. |
Folder 582 |
Rhodes Tavern |
Folder 583 |
Speeches |
Folder 584-585
Folder 584Folder 585 |
Speech on Newspaper Topic, 23 October 1961 |
Folder 586 |
Summitt Communications, Inc. |
Folder 587-588
Folder 587Folder 588 |
Sylvanus Thayer Award |
Folder 589 |
Harry S. Truman Library Foundation |
Folder 590 |
United Givers Fund |
Folder 591-594
Folder 591Folder 592Folder 593Folder 594 |
University of North Carolina |
Folder 595-596
Folder 595Folder 596 |
University of North Carolina: Dr. Friday correspondence |
Folder 597 |
University of North Carolina: 50th Reunion |
Folder 598-599
Folder 598Folder 599 |
White House Historical Association |
Folder 600 |
Woodberry Forest School |
Oversize Paper Folder OPF-3824/1 |
Diploma and various certificates of recognition |
Extra Oversize Paper Folder XOPF-3824/1 |
Certificates of recognitionIncludes a placard presented in tribute to Gray's entry into military service, signed by employees of Piedmont Publishing Company, and a certificate dated 14 March 1957, signed by Dwight D. Eisenhower, appointing Gray Director of the Office of Defense Mobilization. |
Image Folder PF-3824/1 |
Twelfth Session BCIU Training Program, circa 1960sFrom left to right: Esther Cole Franklin, Gordon Gray, Harold M. Randall, Ambassador Loy Henderson, and Mrs. Randall |
George C. Marshall Foundation, circa 1960sFrom left to right: Gordon Gray, an unidentified individual, Robert A. Lovett, General Omar Bradley, and James Bruce |
|
Gordon Gray, circa 1960s |
|
Federal City Council during Gordon Gray's presidency, circa 1961-1962Extreme left: G. Yates Cook |
|
Orientation visit of Patrick Coyne and Gordon Gray to United States Army Intelligence School at Fort Holabird, circa 1960s(?)Left: Major General Richard Collins, Commandant |
|
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, circa 1970s-early 1980sFrom left to right: Robert R. Garvey, Gordon Gray, and William J. Murtagh |
|
Extra Oversize Image Folder XOP-PF-3824/1 |
Oil portrait of Gordon Gray, approximately 2'x 5', undated |
Acquisitions Information: Accession 103764
Letters to Gordon Gray from Robert House, Harry Truman, Kenneth C. Royall, Luther Hodges, Bill Friday, and Mamie Eisenhower.
Box 32 |
Letters, 1956-1957 |
Acquisitions Information: Accession 20200228.1
Materials created or acquired by Gordon Gray documenting different aspects of his career. Includes reports, invitations, photographs and other materials related to Gray's term as president of the University of North Carolina system and his work with the President Dwight D. Eisenhower's administration. Personal materials include honorary degree certificates, clippings, and records of corporate board and private club memberships. Other topics include hereditary organization and the Gray family-owned Piedmont Publishing sale of Triangle Broadcasting Corporation, an NBC affiliate in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Box 31 |
Identification cards |
Box 33 |
Papers, 1950s-1982 |
Oversize Paper Folder OPF-03824/2 |
Oversize papers |
Image Box IB-03824/1 |
Photographs |
Acquisitions Information: Accession 102458
Correspondence, genealogical charts, and research documentation related to Gordon Gray's Jewish ancestry. From the late 1970s through early 1980s, Gray employed Judith Endelman and other researchers and genealogists to look into his recently-discovered Jewish ancestry. Includes photocopies of original documents in Hebrew and German, family trees, and related materials, as well as a full draft of "The Paternal Ancestry of Nathalie Fontaine Lyons" by Dorothee Caruso.
Box 32 |
Genealogical research materials, 1976-1980 |
Reel M-3824/1-9
M-3824/1M-3824/2M-3824/3M-3824/4M-3824/5M-3824/6M-3824/7M-3824/8M-3824/9 |
Microfilm |