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R. Neal Campbell Collection

 Collection
Identifier: Mss-0337

Scope and Contents

The artifacts series contains general store tokens, commonly referred to as “Loonies.” Among the athletics series are Southern Textile Basketball Tournament programs, as well as a major league baseball scout letter to a prospect (1930s). Among the other series can be found church hymnals from the early 1900s, news clippings from 1927-2004, and manuals for proper textile machinery operation. Both the Monaghan and Parker High School series contain materials that are ephemeral in nature. There are a few personal Campbell family documents present, such as a nursing certificate (1929), voter registration card (1928), and real estate documents (1909-1911). There are two postcards depicting Poe Cotton Mill circa 1908. Publications in this collection focus on life in textile communities through essays and personal recollections. There are two books that document ritual ceremonies for the “Order of the Eastern Star” (1929), and “Order of the Red Men” societies (1908). Among the audio/visual materials can be found several VHS cassettes which document textile mill village culture, as well as an audio cassette which contains an interview with R. Neal Campbell. In it he gives recollections of his experiences while growing up in a mill community. The photographs fall into five categories: athletics, buildings, community life, individual, and miscellaneous. Within two oversized folders can be found a county map of Greenville, SC (1980s -- appears to be a sightseeing map), an R. Neal Campbell family genealogy, and six additional photos which depict textile community life.

Dates

  • 1900 - 2004

Creator

Biographical / Historical

R. Neal Campbell was born on February 18, 1922 in Greenville, South Carolina. He was the son of Robert Lee and Mary E. Heath Campbell.

Campbell attended Parker High School and graduated from Greenville High School in 1939. He earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Clemson University in 1943. During World War II, Campbell served as an electrical officer with the Seventh Fleet while stationed in Subic Bay, Philippines. Campbell was president, chairman of the board of engineering, and consulting executive with AE Engineers Incorporated from 1949 until his retirement in 1986. Other civic accomplishments include: Life Fellow of American Consulting Engineers (VP and BOD), SC Association of Consulting Engineers (founding director), Greenville Electrical Board member, Greenville Auditorium design team, Design Professionals Financial Corporation (founding director and vice president), Clemson University Legacy Club member, Clemson University Alumni Association, IPTAY, and Clemson University Board of Visitors.

Campbell married the former Karen E. Smith on August 7, 1943. They had seven children: Cheryl, Candace, Patrice, Dawn, Bob, Russell, and Heath. R. Neal Campbell died at the age of eighty four on October 29, 2006.

Extent

1 Cubic Feet ( (3 document boxes) 2 oversized folders)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The R. Neal Campbell Collection documents life in Upcountry South Carolina textile communities by bringing together memorabilia, artifacts, documentaries, interviews, publications, news clippings, and photographs.

Arrangement

This collection is organized into fifteen series, as follows: Artifacts, Athletics, Church Hymnals, Clippings, Manuals, Monaghan, Parker High School, Personal, Postcards, Publications, Receipts, Ritual Books, Audio-Visual, Photographs, and Oversize.

Arrangement

The series are arranged alphabetically by subject. Photographs and oversize items have been removed to photograph and oversize storage.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Acquired from R. Neal Campbell in accessions 93-77, 94-101, 96-2, 98-76, and 98-85.

Processing Information

Processed by Carl Redd, Project Archivist in June 2009.

Title
R. Neal Campbell Collection A Register of His Collection, 1900-2004
Status
Completed
Author
Prepared by Carl Redd in 2009
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Repository

Contact:
230 Kappa St.
Clemson SC 29634 U.S.A. US