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Inventory of the Walter McGowan Upchurch Papers, 1841-1977

Abstract

Member of Board of Trustees at Duke University; senior vice-president of Shell Companies Foundation, Inc.

Collection spans the years 1841-1977, with the bulk dating from 1930-1977, and contains personal correspondence among members of the Upchurch family, including correspondence between Upchurch and his brother during World War II, when they were both serving in the U.S. Navy; professional correspondence concerning Duke University administrative affairs; genealogical materials for the Upchurch, Daniel, and Meadows families of North Carolina; commemorative material on Upchurch's mother, Minnie Gertrude (Daniel) Upchurch; and photographs, clippings, programs, and school materials. Much of the personal materials reveals the life of a middle-class North Carolina family during the first half of the 20th century. One personal letter is from John Steinbeck's sister, Beth Ainsworthy, and contains comments on Steinbeck and relationships in the Steinbeck family. Another group of materials relates to the world premiere of Samuel Barber's opera, ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, at the Lincoln Center in N.Y. on Sept. 16, 1966. Included are invitations, commemorative programs and booklets, and the opera libretto. Other materials include Shell Development Company records on personnel issues such as labor relations and salary administration; and Shell Companies Foundation records (1963-1974), chiefly relating to the foundation's endowments, scholarships, and grants, as well as the company's donation budgets from 1969-1974.

Descriptive Summary

Repository
David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
Creator
Upchurch, Walter McGowan.
Title
Walter McGowan Upchurch Papers, 1841-1977
Language of Material
English
Extent
8.0 Linear Feet, Approximately 4600 Items
Location
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Series Quick Links

Collection Overview

The Walter McGowan Upchurch Papers span the years 1841-1977, with the bulk dating from 1930-1977. The collection contains personal correspondence among members of the Upchurch family, including correspondence between Upchurch and his brother during WWII, when they were both serving in the U.S. Navy; professional correspondence concerning Duke University administrative affairs; genealogical materials for the Upchurch, Daniel, and Meadows families of North Carolina; commemorative material on Upchurch's mother, Minnie Gertrude (Daniel) Upchurch; and photographs, clippings, programs, and school materials. Much of the personal materials reveals the life of a middle-class North Carolina family during the first half of the 20th century. One personal letter is from John Steinbeck's sister, Beth Ainsworthy, and contains comments on Steinbeck and relationships in the Steinbeck family. Another group of materials relates to the world premiere of Samuel Barber's opera, ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, at the Lincoln Center in N.Y. on Sept. 16, 1966. Included are invitations, commemorative programs and booklets, and the opera libretto. Other materials include Shell Development Company records on personnel issues such as labor relations and salary administration, coming from the Emeryville Laboratories, seen as one of the most progressive work environments in the United States; and Shell Companies Foundation records (1963-1974), chiefly relating to the foundation's endowments, scholarships, and grants, as well as the company's donation budgets from 1969-1974.

Administrative Information

Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »

warning Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

However, collection contains materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.

Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

warning Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Contents of the Collection

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General, 1926-1939
Box 1
General, 1940-1971
Box 2
Mr. Upchurch and Fannie Yarborough Mitchell, 1942-1952
Box 3
Family, 1909-1945, June
Box 4
Family, 1945, July-1948, July
Box 5
Family, 1948, Aug.-1953
Box 6
Family, 1954-1959
Box 7
Family, 1960-1971
Box 8
General, 1970-1977
Box 8
Programs of Summer School service of worship in Duke University Chapel, 1938-1941
Box 9
Duke Memorial Church Choir records, 1931-1941; 1971
Box 9
Duke University Summer School Choir records, 1938-1941
Box 9
Clippings and pictures
Box 9
Duke University files
Box 14
Navy Department Operating Petroleum Facilities records: Labor Relations Reporter. Vol. 16, No.26 (Aug. 27, 1945)
Box 11
U.S. Naval Reserve officer files, 1945-1952
Box 14

Focusing on Shell Development Laboratories at Emeryville, California. Known as progressive work envirnoment, includes salary studies, personnel evaluation templates; union relations, and development notes from 1928-1970. Decommissioned in 1972. Does not seem to contain individually identifiable personnel records.

Shell Development Company Records, 1942-1950
Box 12
Shell Development Company Records, 1944-1950
Box 13
Shell Development Company Personnel Records, 1947-1970
Box 17
Shell Grants, 1969 (pamphlets)
Box 18
The Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies, 1968
Box 18

Mementoes and other materials from Walter Upchurch's life and career.

Certificates and diplomas; clippings; photographs (1910-1950s); and volumes (includes baby album)
Box 15
Printed material, 1924-1974

Small pamphlets covering Walter Upchurch's participation or attendance in high school and Duke Unviersity events as well as local gatherings. Also contains 2 silk scrolls commemorating the opening of the Met Opera House, New York City, 1966.

Box 16

Subject Headings

Related Material

  • W. M. Upchurch Records, 1927-1988 (University Archives, Duke University)

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Walter McGowan Upchurch Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library

Provenance

The Walter McGowan Upchurch Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a gift from 1972-1979.

Processing Information

Processed by Rubenstein Library staff.

Encoded by Robert Carlson, April 2009

Accessions from 1972-1979 are described in this finding aid.

Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.