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 | 2.0 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 1100 items) |
Abstract | Personal and professional papers of James A. Felton, African American author, teacher, counselor, and civic leader in Hertford County, N.C., and his wife, Annie Vaughan Felton, African American educator, church worker, and community leader, who were instrumental in the restoration and establishment of the C. S. Brown Regional Cultural Arts Center and Museum which opened in Winton, N.C., in 1986. The collection contains correspondence; programs for meetings and events held by educational, religious, and civic organizations; sermons; reports; and newspaper clippings describing James A. Felton's civic contributions in Hertford County, N.C. Best documented are activities related to the C. S. Brown Regional Cultural Arts Center and Museum in Winton, N.C., the People's Program on Poverty, the North Carolina Family Life Council, and the Montford Point Marines. Also included are a short biography of Annie Vaughan Felton and some materials that she collected after her husband's death. Photographs show James A. Felton throughout his adult life with his family, his colleagues, and his students at the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Training Center. |
Creator | Felton, James A. (James Andrew), 1919-1994.
Felton, Annie Vaughan. |
Curatorial Unit | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection. |
Language | English |
Processed by: Elise Allison, March 2005
Encoded by: Elise Allison, March 2005
Revisions by: Jodi Berkowitz, September 2015; Nancy Kaiser, February 2020, March 2021; Patrick Cullom, September 2022; Jodi Berkowitz, September 2022.
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.
In September 2022, the decision was made to integrate all accessions (Acc. 99798, 102083, and 20200224.1) into combined Papers, Photographs, and Moving Image Materials series, respectively.
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.
James Andrew Felton was born on 6 July 1919 in Hertford, Perquimans County, N.C. After spending almost three years in the United States Marine Corps as a member of the Montford Point Marines, he earned his B.S. from Elizabeth City State Teachers College (now Elizabeth City State University) and his M.A. from North Carolina College at Durham (now North Carolina Central University). He taught in the Greene and Hertford County school systems for 20 years, and, in 1965 he published Fruits of Enduring Faith, a story that dramatizes the human issues behind the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
In the mid-1960s, Felton and Reverend John L. Scott of New Ahoskie Baptist Church formed the People's Program on Poverty, an African American organization created to study and fight poverty on the grass-roots level. Through his work in this program, Felton founded the first Family Training Center in the United States. During this time, he was also actively involved in organizations such as the President's Commission on Rural Poverty, the North Carolina Family Life Council, and a local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
In 1980, Felton established the C. S. Brown School Auditorium Restoration Association to restore Brown Hall, a building that had been part of the campus of Chowan Academy, an African American school founded in 1886 by Calvin Scott Brown. The C. S. Brown Regional Cultural Arts Center and Museum in Winton, N.C., opened in 1986.
James A. Felton married Annie Vaughan on 3 August 1947. Annie Vaughan was a graduate of Elizabeth City State Teachers College and taught for many years at C.S. Brown School. She was also an active church worker, community leader, and school volunteer. The Feltons had six children: James Andrew, Jr., Keith, Maria, Sharon, Michele, and Camilla. James A. Felton died in Winton, N.C., on 6 October 1994.
For additional information about James A. Felton, see Who's Who Among Black Americans, 1st edition, 1975-1976.
Back to TopThe collection consists of materials documenting teacher and community activist James A. Felton's life, focusing on his civic activities and achievements, especially those related to the C. S. Brown Regional Cultural Arts Center and Museum, the People's Program on Poverty, the North Carolina Family Life Council, and the Montford Point Marines. It includes correspondence; programs for meetings and events held by educational, religious, and civic organizations; sermons; reports; and clippings describing Felton's civic contributions in Hertford County, N.C. Also included are a short biography of Annie Vaughan Felton and some materials that she collected after her husband's death. Photographs show James A. Felton throughout his adult life with his family, his colleagues, and his students at the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Training Center.
Back to TopArrangement: alphabetical by folder title.
Personal and professional papers of James A. Felton and Annie Vaughan Felton, chiefly relating to civic activities, including the C. S. Brown Cultural Arts Center and Museum, People's Program on Poverty, the North Carolina Family Life Council, and the Montford Point Marine Association. Documents include correspondence, sermons, event programs, certificates, reports, and newsletters. The papers also include a short biography of Annie Vaughan Felton and some materials that she collected after her husband's death.
Folder 1 |
Biographical information, 1943-1994 |
Folder 2 |
Civic activity: general, 1947-2003 |
Folder 3 |
Civic activity: Hammocks Beach Drama Committee, 1968-1970Contains letters from individuals at the University of North Carolina Institute of Outdoor Drama, including Paul Green and Mark R. Sumner, related to a proposed Hammocks Beach Performing Arts Institute. James A. Felton was a member of the Hammocks Beach Drama Committee. |
Folder 4 |
Civic activity: North Carolina and Choanoke Area Family Life Councils, 1975-1988Includes notes, bylaws, programs, and a brochure. James A. Felton and Annie Vaughan Felton were involved in these organizations. |
Folder 5 |
Civic activity: North Carolina Ministers' Wives and Ministers' Widows Association, 1982, 2002-2010Includes programs, a report, and a membership directory. |
Folder 6 |
Civic activity: North Carolina Teachers' Association and Hertford County Teachers' Association, 1949-1965Includes scattered programs, a letter, a newsletter, and a certificate of participation. |
Folder 7 |
Clippings, 1952-2008Primarily related to activities of James A. Felton; also included are an obituary for him, 6 October 1994, and an article, 2008, about recipients of a scholarship established in his memory. |
Folder 8 |
Correspondence, 1951-1994Includes a letter from Paul Green, 1957, and three unrelated letters from Julius Chambers, one pertaining to the People's Program on Poverty, 1966. Also includes a copy of a letter to Mayor Charles Evers of Fayette, Miss., related to the People's Program on Poverty, 1969. |
Folder 9-11
Folder 9Folder 10Folder 11 |
C. S. Brown Regional Cultural Arts Center amd Museum, 1986-2003Contains scattered administrative material, including agendas, meeting minutes, reports, brochures, newsletters, and material documenting various events hosted by the Calvin Scott Brown Regional Cultural Arts Center and Museum, including programs, clippings, and fliers. |
Folder 12 |
Highway dedication ceremony, 1998 |
Folder 13 |
Lorenzo Jones poetry, 1992 and undated |
Folder 14 |
Marine Corps, 1967-1994 |
Folder 15 |
Membership cards, 1955-1992 |
Folder 16 |
People's Program on Poverty, 1968, 1974, 1986Contains reports and a grant proposal. |
Folder 17-19
Folder 17Folder 18Folder 19 |
Sermons, 1960s-1980sThree folders of sermons delivered by James A. Felton, some typed, many handwritten, most of which are on smaller pieces of paper. |
Folder 20 |
Water and road conditions in Halifax and Bertie Counties, 1962-1979Scattered meeting minutes, meeting notes, and a resolution regarding water and road conditions. |
Folder 21 |
Writings and related information, undatedIncludes handwritten autobiography of James A. Felton. |
Oversize Paper Folder OPF-5161/1 |
Oversize papersIncludes high school diploma of James A. Felton, a voter education project poster, and posters for James A. Felton book events |
Photographs of James A. Felton throughout his adult life. They show him with his family, his colleagues, and his students at the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Training Center. In addition, several photos show the highway dedication and street naming ceremonies honoring Felton after his death. In summer of 2022, the photographic materials in the original accession and additions were combined into one photographic series.
In September 2022, the decision was made to integrate all photographic materials (Acc. 99798, 102083, and 20200224.1) into one combined photographic series.
Chronological
Photographs of James A. Felton throughout his life. Images in this subbseries were numbered, captioned, and detailed in a typed inventory that was not created by Wilson Library.
Titles devised from original captions or notes found with materials.
Descriptions in quotation marks were transcribed from original captions or notes found with materials
Image Folder PF-5161/1 |
Original notes for PF-5161/2-333 pages Printed materials Images appear to have been compiled for presentation and are described in detail in document and on backs of prints. Descriptions were compiled and numbering assigned before the materials were processed. |
Image Folder PF-5161/2 |
This is Your Life: James A. Felton, circa 1980s2 images Printed materials Printed program from event. |
Image Folder PF-5161/3 |
This is Your Life: James A. Felton, circa 1980s2 images Color photographic prints Images depict speakers at event. |
Image Folder PF-5161/4 |
"Skinner, Eugene Felton (father), Alina Skinner, Virgilla Felton (mother)," circa 1920-1930s1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/5 |
"Mrs. Marioin Morris (former teacher), Geraldine F. Brookfield (sister), James A. Felton, unknown, George W. Felton (father), unknowns," circa 1900-1910s1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/6 |
"James A. Felton (age 21)," circa 19401 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/7 |
"James A. Felton (place of birth, Hertford, N.C.)," circa 1950s1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/8 |
"James A. Felton, Marine in Elizabeth City, N.C.," circa 1940s1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/9 |
"James A. Felton, Camp Le June, Jacksonville, N.C.,1943"1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/10 |
"James A. Felton, Camp Le June, Jacksonville, N.C., 1943"1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/11 |
"The 92nd Company of Platoon, James A. Felton (second from left)," circa 1940s1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/12 |
"James A. Felton 1943, Camp Le June, Jacksonville, N.C., Montford Point"1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/13 |
"Hampton University, where he did further studies," circa 1940-1950s1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/14 |
"Howard University, where he did further studies in religion," circa 1940-1950s1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/15 |
"North Carolina Central where he earned his masters degree," circa 1940-1950s1 image Black-and-white photographic print Back of image indicates it is Hampton University. |
Image Folder PF-5161/16 |
"James A. Felton poses," circa 19671 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/17 |
"James A. Felton, wife Ann," circa 1980-1990s1 image Color photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/18 |
"James A. Felton when he visited San Diego, California 1979"1 image Color photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/19 |
"James A. Felton, wife Ann in San Diego, California 1979"1 image Color photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/20 |
"James A. Felton, wife Ann at home in Winton, N.C.," circa 1980s1 image Color photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/21 |
"James A. Felton, wife at C.S. Brown Cultural Arts Center, Winton, N.C.," circa 1980s1 image Color photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/22 |
"James A. Felton (home in Winton, N.C.)," circa 1980s1 image Color photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/23 |
"James A. Felton and wife at Smithsonian, Washington D.C.," circa 1980s1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/24 |
"James A. Felton (poses) 1960"1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/25 |
"James A. Felton (pictured extreme left with his Boy Scout Group) 1958-1959"1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/26 |
"Ministers Conference held at Shaw University (1983)"1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/27 |
"Member of Lodge (Perfect Ashley) Winton, N.C.," circa 1950-1960s1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/28 |
"Member of Lodge (Perfect Ashley) James A. Felton 4th from the left in first row," circa 1950-1960s1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/29 |
"Vacation Bible School, Winton, N.C. James A. Felton (1957)"1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/30 |
"James A. Felton in Rosenwall classroom at Mill Neck School, Como, N.C.," circa 1960s1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/31 |
"Grounds of Rosenwall (Mill Neck School) Como, N.C.," circa 1950-1960s1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/32 |
"James A. Felton's mother holding granddaughter Maria," circa 1940s1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/33 |
"James A. Felton, Walace Felton (brother),Eugene Felton (father), George Felton (brother)," circa 1970s1 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Chronological
Photographs of James A. Felton throughout his life. Many of the images in this subbseries are numbered, captioned, and detailed in typed inventories that were not created by Wilson Library staff.
Titles devised from original captions or notes found with materials.
Descriptions in quotation marks were transcribed from original captions or notes found with materials
Image Folder PF-5161/34 |
James A. Felton portraits, circa December 19401 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/35-36
PF-5161/35PF-5161/36 |
James A. Felton in the United States Marines, circa 1940s5 images Black-and-white photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/37 |
Program from "Montford Point Marine Association, INC and Ladies Auxiliary: Celebrates the Fiftieth Anniversary of Montford Point: Remembrance/Memorial Ceremony," 21 June 19923 pages Black-and-white photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/38 |
James A. Felton portraits, circa 11 August 19472 images Color photographic prints One image is inscribed and signed by Felton. |
Image Folder PF-5161/39 |
James A. Felton portraits, circa 1940s2 images Black-and-white photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/40 |
James A. Felton post-secondary education, "Hampton Institute," circa 1930s-190s5 images Black-and-white photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/41 |
James A. Felton post-secondary education, "Elizabeth City State University," circa 1930s-1940s5 images Black-and-white photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/42 |
James A. Felton post-secondary education, "Howard University," circa 1930s-1940s5 images Black-and-white photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/43 |
James A. Felton family portraits, circa 1940s2 images Black-and-white photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/44 |
James A. Felton portraits, circa 1950s2 images Black-and-white photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/45 |
James A. Felton family portraits, circa 1950s6 images Black-and-white photographic prints Includes images of the Felton children at First Baptist Church School. |
Image Folder PF-5161/46 |
James A. Felton family portrait, circa 19591 image Black-and-white photographic print |
Image Folder PF-5161/47 |
James A. Felton at 1965 World's Fair, Brooklyn, N.Y., circa 19652 images Color photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/48 |
James A. Felton portraits, circa 1965-19672 images Black-and-white photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/49 |
James A. Felton family portrait, circa 196os1 image Black-and-white photographic print Includes printed description. |
Image Folder PF-5161/50 |
James A. Felton group portrait, circa 1970s1 image Black-and-white photographic print Includes printed description. |
Image Folder PF-5161/51 |
James A. Felton group portrait, circa 1970s2 images Color photographic print Includes printed description. |
Image Folder PF-5161/52 |
James A. Felton portraits, circa 1980s7 images Color photographic prints Includes printed description. |
Image Folder PF-5161/53 |
James A. Felton portraits, circa 1980s1 image Color photographic prints Includes printed description. |
Image Folder PF-5161/54 |
James A. Felton and Annie Vaughan Felton portraits, circa 1980s2 images Color photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/55 |
Annie Vaughan Felton portraits, circa 1980s2 images Black-and-White photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/56 |
Annie Vaughan Felton family portraits, circa 1930s-1960s6 images Black-and-White photographic prints Includes some of Annie Vaughan Felton's extended family members. |
Image Folder PF-5161/57-59
PF-5161/57PF-5161/58PF-5161/59 |
James A. Felton family portraits, circa 1920s-1940s3 folders Black-and-White photographic prints Includes images of James A. Felton's parents and his daughter Sharon. |
Image Folder PF-5161/60-62
PF-5161/60PF-5161/61PF-5161/62 |
James A. Felton highway dedication,Winton, N.C., 22 May 19986 images Color photographic prints |
Chronological
Photographs of schools and communities that James A. Felton was active in throughout his life. Many of the images in this subbseries are numbered, captioned, and detailed in a typed inventory.
Titles devised from original captions or notes found with materials.
Descriptions in quotation marks were transcribed from original captions or notes found with materials
Image Folder PF-5161/63-65
PF-5161/63PF-5161/64PF-5161/65 |
Zachariah School, Wooten's Crossroads, Greene County, N.C., circa 19854 images Black-and-white photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/66-67
PF-5161/66PF-5161/67 |
Mill Neck School, Como, N.C., circa 1950s20 images Black-and-white photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/68-69
PF-5161/68PF-5161/69 |
"Local community," 1950s-1970s15 images Black-and-white and color photographic prints Descriptions in quotation marks were transcribed from original captions or notes found with materials. Does not appear to include Feltons. |
Chronological
Photographs of James A. Felton associated with the Family Life Training Center and Migrant Seasonal Farmworkers Association Training Center in Rich Square, N.C. Many of the images in this subbseries are numbered, captioned, and detailed in a typed inventory.
Titles devised from original captions or notes found with materials.
Descriptions in quotation marks were transcribed from original captions or notes found with materials
Image Folder PF-5161/70-74
PF-5161/70PF-5161/71PF-5161/72PF-5161/73PF-5161/74 |
"Family Life Training Center, Rich Square, N.C., Migrant Seasonal Farmworkers Association Training Center," 1976-198750 images Color photographic prints and Color 35mm slide |
Chronological
Photographs of James A. Felton associated with the People's Program on Poverty. Felton was a founder of the People's Program on Poverty, an African American organization created to study and fight poverty on the grass-roots level in northeastern North Carolina. Many of the images in this subbseries are numbered, captioned, and detailed in a typed inventory.
Titles devised from original captions or notes found with materials.
Image Folder PF-5161/75 |
People's Program on Poverty, circa 1960s-1970s7 images Black-and-white photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/76-79
PF-5161/76PF-5161/77PF-5161/78PF-5161/79 |
People's Program on Poverty, circa 1960-1980s50 images Black-and-white and color photographic prints |
Chronological
Photographs of James A. Felton associated with C.S. Brown School and Cultural Resource Center. Felton and his wife, Annie Vaughan Felton, and African American educator, church worker, and community leader, were instrumental in the restoration and establishment of the C. S. Brown Regional Cultural Arts Center and Museum, which opened in Winton, N.C., in 1986.Many of the images in this subbseries are numbered, captioned, and detailed in a typed inventory.
Titles devised from original captions or notes found with materials.
Descriptions in quotation marks were transcribed from original captions or notes found with materials
Image Folder PF-5161/80 |
C.S. Brown Consistory, circa 1950s1 image Black-and-white and color photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/81 |
J.C. Smith and C.S. Brown High School Home Economics Department, circa 1960s1 image Black-and-white photographic print Has additional description. |
Image Folder PF-5161/82 |
C.S. Brown, circa 1940s-1970s15 images Black-and-white and color photographic prints |
Image Folder PF-5161/83-84
PF-5161/83PF-5161/84 |
"Restoration of C.S. Brown Cultural Arts Center and Museum, Winton, N.C.," circa 198614 images Color photographic prints Images depict both restoration work on building and events tied to renovations. Annie and James Felton appear in several images. |
Image Folder PF-5161/85 |
Buildings on C.S. Brown grounds, circa 1930s4 images Black-and-white photographs(oversize) |
Videotapes consist of a tape of C. S. Brown Cultural Arts Center documentation; a tape of James A. Felton's funeral, 1994; and a tape of the highway dedication for James A. Felton, Winton, N.C., 22 May 1998. There is also a film on the President's Committee on Poverty, prepared by James A. Felton and Leon Vaughan.
Videotape VT-5161/1 |
C. S. Brown Regional Cultural Arts Center documentation |
Videotape VT-5161/2 |
James A. Felton's funeral, 1994 |
Videotape VT-5161/3 |
Highway dedication for James A. Felton, Winton, N.C., 22 May 1998 |
Film F-5161/1 |
President's Committee on Poverty film, 1967Prepared by James A. Felton and Leon Vaughan; shown in Washington, D.C. |