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Preliminary Inventory of the Duke Memorial Records, 1929 - 1936

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Descriptive Summary

Title
Duke Memorial Records, 1929 - 1936.
Creator
Duke Memorial.
Extent
4 Linear Feet,
4000 Items
Repository
University Archives, Duke University
Abstract
The Duke Memorial was formed in 1929 to honor Washington, Benjamin N., and James B. Duke. The group worked on several projects, including building the Memorial Chapel in Duke Chapel, financing the purchase of Duke Homestead, and building a statue of James B. Duke. The collection consists mainly of financial documents, as well as general correspondence, minutes, and proposals and suggestions. Major topics include the construction of Memorial Chapel and the sarcophagi within, the purchase of Duke Homestead, and the financing of the James B. Duke Statue. Major correspondents include James A. Thomas, W. W. Flowers, and Alex H. Sands.
Language
English.
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Administrative Information

Access Restrictions
Patrons must sign the Acknowledgement of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.
Unprocessed materials are closed pending processing.
In off-site storage; 24 hours advance notice is required for use.
Use Restrictions
Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Duke Memorial Records, University Archives, Duke University.
Provenance
The Duke Memorial Records was received by the University Archives as a transfer in 1957 (A56-390).
Processing Information
Processed by University Archives Staff
Completed 1973; 2003
Encoded by Valerie Gillispie, July 30, 2003
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
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Historical Note

The Duke Memorial was formed in 1929 to establish a permanent memorial to Washington, James B., and Benjamin N. Duke. Among the projects undertaken by the group were the building of the Memorial Chapel in Duke Chapel, the installation of sarcophagi within Memorial Chapel, the Duke Homestead, and the building of the James B. Duke statue. James A. Thomas appears to have been the moving force behind the formation of the group. From 1929 to the early 1930s, many in North Carolina and across the nation donated money to the Memorial, and became "sponsors" or "subscribers" to the cause. By 1936, the Memorial's main goals had been accomplished, and the Executive Committee reorganized the Memorial as a perpetual trust " to keep in the minds of the public the needs, both financial and otherwise, of Duke University . . ." (Minutes, April 22, 1936).

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Collection Overview

The materials within the collection are mainly financial documents, including bank statements, bank reports, bank correspondence, deposit records, account books, check registers, audit reports, and subscriber and sponsor lists and amounts donated. Other materials include general correspondence, minutes, and proposals and suggestions. The main topics within the collection are the raising and disbursement of funds for the Memorial projects, foremost of which was the construction of Memorial Chapel. Major correspondents include James A. Thomas, W. W. Flowers, and Alex H. Sands.
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Subject Headings

These and related materials may be accessed under the following subject headings in the Duke University Libraries online catalog.
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Horace Trumbauer Architectural Drawings
Duke University Archives

William Preston Few Records
Duke University Archives

List of Series in Collection
Accession Number A56-390
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Preliminary Description of the Collection

Accession Number A56-390

Box 1
Audits
Audit Report and Certificate [Oversized]

Bank Correspondence

The Fidelity Bank
1929
1930
1931-1932
1933-1936
Guaranty Trust Co.
Bank Deposits, Guaranty Trust Company, 1929-1930
Bank Deposits, Guaranty Trust Company
Bank Statements [Oversized]
Bronze Books
Check Register
Clippings
Constitution and By-Laws
Deposit Book
Duke Homestead, 1929-1936
File 19D [Correspondence re: finances]
Executive Committee Reports [and Correspondence]
Fund-Raising Proposals
General Letters
Lists of Sponsors
Memoranda, Sketches, Interviews
[Memorial Campaign Planning Materials]
Minutes
Miscellaneous [Correspondence], 1929
Miscellaneous [Correspondence], 1930-1935
Box 2
Miscellaneous [Correspondence], January 1936-October 1936

Sponsors - Acceptances
A-F
G-P
Q-Y
Sponsors - Refusals
Statements [Financial]

Subscriptions
Duke Power Company, May 1929-October 1930
Duke Power Company, 1931-1936
Duke University

Miscellaneous
January 1929-June 1929
July 1929-December 1929
1930
1931-1936
Piedmont and Northern Railway Company
Southern Public Utilities Company
Subscriptions - Southern Public Utilities Company
Suggestions and Estimates for Memorial
Box 3

Oversize Materials
Audit Report and Certificate
Bank Statements
Financial Record Books   [2 volumes]