Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Access Restrictions

Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], A.S. Hammack Papers, 1864-1954, SC 0337, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Paul Hammack Jr., grandson of A.S. Hammack, in May 2022.

Processing Information

Loose ephemera was separated from the two Virginia Music Camp books that were cataloged individually.

Bio/Historical Note

Abraham Statton Hammack (1865-1932) was born near Stribling Springs, Virginia. A.S. Hammack married Josie G. Huffman (1867-1963) in 1890. He graduated from Union Biblical Seminary in 1890 and became an ordained minister in the Evangelical United Brethren Church. He worked in the areas of New Creek, South Branch, Augusta, Churchville, and Harrisonburg before a four-year term as a presiding elder. Hammack became Conference Superintendent in 1909 and served until 1922. This era was commonly known as the "Golden Age" era due to the sixty-five buildings erected and significant growth in church membership done under his leadership. Paul Hammack Jr. (1898-1985) is the grandson of A.S. Hammack.

Scope and Contents

The A.S. Hammack Papers, 1864-1954, comprise two minister books, ten sermon notebooks, and ephemera related to the Virginia Music Camp collected by Paul Hammack Jr. The sub-group of sermon notebooks have notes relating to the construction of Hammack's sermons, congregation size, donation information, and the date and location for the sermon given. The Minister's Pocket Ritual has margin notes as well as inserts containing birth and death dates of church members with notes for eulogies. In the 1907 sermon notebook, Hammack's notes and ephemera contain a 1929 annual report for Mt. Zion church, budgeting information, and slip of paper entitled "United States Casualty Company" with a listed amount Hammack needs to pay by the end of the month.

Paul Hammack Jr.'s (1898-1985) ephemera from the Virginia Music Camp, now a part of Massanetta Springs camp, comprises sheet music, nametags, postcards, and student schedules for the program.

Arrangement

The collection is largely arranged chronologically and according to record type.

Separated Material

Select printed materials including those related to the Virginia Music Camp were separated and cataloged individually.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Camp meetings -- Virginia
• Church camps -- Virginia
• Hammack, Paul W., Jr.
• Hymns, English
• Massanetta Springs Camp & Conference Center (Harrisonburg, Va.) -- History
• Notebooks
• Printed Ephemera
• Sermons
• Virginia -- Church history