West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown,
WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Language
English
Abstract
Historical material compiled by Rene A. Henry, documenting the history of South Charleston, WV; Henry's family; the West Virginia
University football team; and his career in public relations and sports marketing.
Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.
Conditions Governing Access
No special access restriction applies.
Researchers may access born digital and digitized materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or
remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc.
Preferred Citation
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Rene A. Henry Papers, A&M 3720, West Virginia and Regional History Center,
West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.
From the Biographical Note in the Rene A. Henry Papers, College of William and Mary Special Collections (link in External
Documents):
Rene Henry was born in Charleston, West Virginia in 1933 and his family moved to the Norfolk and Virginia Beach area in 1948.
He graduated from Granby High School in Norfolk in 1951 and received an A.B. in economics from the College of William and
Mary in 1954. During his time at William and Mary, Henry served as a student assistant in sports information and also student
assistant to the director of intramural athletics. In January 1953, while in his junior year, he was named the Sports Information
Director for William and Mary.
He was Sports Information Director at West Virginia University (1954-1956) and did graduate work in marketing. He also completed
executive management courses at the law schools of Harvard and Georgetown universities.
Rene Henry's professional career includes work in public relations, sports marketing, housing and construction, presidential
campaigns, higher education, television and entertainment, association management, and government service. As a volunteer,
he directed the international media campaign for the selection of Los Angeles as the host city of the 1984 Olympic Games,
and has been active in the promotion and organization of a number of United States Olympic activities since 1968. He has been
involved in the management, marketing, and sales of world cup and world championship events in sports including basketball,
cycling, hockey, soccer, and tennis. Henry has also worked at various levels of the building and housing industry, developing
and promoting a number of commercial, industrial, and federal projects. From 1968 to 1977, he was Executive Director of the
Council of Housing Producers, an organization of the largest community developers in the country. Between 1986 and 1988, he
served as President and CEO of the National Institute of Building Sciences. In 1988, he volunteered on the presidential campaign
to elect George H. W. Bush and Dan Quayle. From there, Henry was appointed to positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
the Agency for International Development, the Department of Labor in 1991, and the Environmental Protection Agency from 1996
to 2001.
Henry has been a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences since
1978. In 1994, he was elected to the College of Fellows of the Public Relations Society of America and served as Chair of
the College in 2001. He is also a member of the Institute of Residential Marketing and former Trustee of the National Sales
and Marketing Council of the National Association of Home Builders.
Additional information on Rene Henry may be found on his website (link in External Documents).
Historical material compiled by Rene A. Henry, documenting the history of South Charleston, West Virginia; Henry's family;
the West Virginia University football team; and his career in public relations and sports marketing. An addendum of 2013-10-29
includes biographical material, correspondence, articles, clippings, scripts, photographs, and motion pictures pertaining
to Henry, his work in sports journalism, and the WVU Mountaineers. An addendum of 2017-09-30 contains numbered prints of artworks
(1970-1975). An addendum of 2018/01/19 contains photographs, publications, and other material (1910–2017). An addendum of
2021/07/31 includes scrapbooks and memorabilia from the Olympic Games and other athletic events as well as other material
(1939-2005).
Series include:
Series 1. Initial Acquisition, 1950, 2013, undated [Small Collection folder]
Series 2. Addendum of 2013/10/29, Writings, Photographs, and Motion Pictures, 1919-2018, undated [box 1]
Series 3. Addendum of 2017/04/18, Postcards and Collectibles, 1910–2016 [boxes 2- 4]
Series 4. Addendum of 2017/09/30, Artworks, 1970-1975, undated [box 5]
Series 5. Addendum of 2018/01/19, Photographs, Publications, and Other Material, 1910–2017 [boxes 6-8]
Series 6. Addendum of 2021/07/31, Olympic Games Scrapbooks, Memorabilia, and Other Material, 1939-2005 [boxes 9-10]
Books authored by Rene A. Henry separated to the book collection:
Communicating In A Crisis: A Guide For Management; 2008
Customer Service: The Cornerstone of Success; 2013
Marketing Public Relations; 1995
Offsides; 2001
The Iron Indians; 2011
You'd Better Have A Hose If You Want To Put Out The Fire; 2000
Mixed Materials Small Collection folder 1950, 2013, undated
Scope and Contents
This series contains the initial collection. It includes clippings regarding the history of South Charleston, WV, photographs
and train orders from Henry's step-grandfather (Fred B. Secrest), and other material.
Mixed Materials Small Collection folder
Two clippings and two related photographs regarding the history of South Charleston, WV
undated
Mixed Materials Small Collection folder
Four photographs of Fred B. Secrest as a locomotive engineer (step-grandfather to Rene Henry
undated
Mixed Materials Small Collection folder
Eight copies of "train orders" for Fred B. Secrest, some on "Kanawha and Michigan Railway" letterhead
undated
Mixed Materials Small Collection folder
Clipping authored by Henry regarding the West Virginia University football team that appeared in the South Charleston Free
Press
1950
Mixed Materials Small Collection folder
Clipping regarding the rivalry between the football teams of WVU and the College of William and Mary
Series 2. Addendum of 2013/10/29, Writings, Photographs, and Motion Pictures
Mixed Materials Box: 1 1919-2018, undated
Scope and Contents
This series includes biographical material, correspondence, articles, clippings, scripts, photographs, and motion pictures
pertaining to Henry, his work in sports journalism, and the WVU Mountaineers.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1-5
Papers
1919–2013
Scope and Contents
This subseries includes biographical material about Henry, copies of some of his awards and honors, copies of correspondence,
and a slide presentation that he gave to a WVU Sports Management class.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1
Biographical Material from Henry's Website
2013
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2
Tuition Receipt for Henry -- Charleston High School
1919
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3
Copies of Awards and Honors
ca. 1949-1994
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 4
Miscellaneous Copies of Letters to Henry (originals in College of William and Mary archives)
ca. 1950s-2010s
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 4
Original letter from Bart Star to Rene A. Fleming regarding Fred Wyant
1998
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 5
Slide Presentation Given by Henry to WVU Sports Management Class, "The Organization and Politics of International Sports"
2009
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 6-9, 19
Articles
1948-1950, 1972-2018, undated
Scope and Contents
This subseries includes newspaper clippings and articles. The newspaper clippings are mostly articles written by Henry for
the South Charleston Free Press, of which he was editor. Articles include those written by Henry, generally regarding the
WVU Mountaineers, as well as articles that are about him or mention him.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 6
Clippings of Articles Written by Henry for the South Charleston Free Press
1948–1949
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 7
South Charleston Free Press Article about Mrs. Henry
1950
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 8
Articles Regarding WVU, the Mountaineers, and Football, etc.
ca. 2000-2015
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 9
Articles about Henry
1972-2013, undated
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 19
Other Subjects (includes two page document by Rene Henry supporting nomination of Fred Schaus into Basketball Hall of Fame,
2018)
2018, undated
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 10-12
Scripts
2008–2010
Scope and Contents
This subseries includes three scripts for motion pictures, all written by Rene A. Henry and Gabor Nagy and registered with
Writers Guild of America, West. One script is about Rodney Clark Hundley, and another is about the 1953 College of William
and Mary football team.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 10
"Hot Rod" by Gabor Nagy and Rene A. Henry
2008
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 11
"West Virginia Kid" outline and script by Gabor Nagy and Rene A. Henry
2008
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 12
"The Iron Indians" by Rene A. Henry and Gabor Nagy
2010
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 13-16b
Photographs
ca. 1904-1980s, 2000s-2010s
Scope and Contents
This subseries contains photographs, almost all of which include dates and descriptions. Subjects include Henry's family,
sports figures such as Sven Tumba and Rod Hundley, politicians such as Margaret Thatcher and Gerald Ford, and other prominent
individuals.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 13
Henry and Family, Home
ca. 1904-1947
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 14
Henry with Celebrities (including Art Lewis [signed], Rod Hundley [signed], Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, Jerry West, and Pat
Riley, among others)
1950s-1960s
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 15
Henry with Celebrities (including Don Drysdale, Sven Tumba, Ronald Reagan, and Gerald Ford, among others)
1970s-1980s
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 16a
Henry at Events (including Margaret Thatcher [signed], Hot Rod Hundley, and Bob Huggins, among others)
2000s-2010s
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 16b
Photo of 5 members of the WVU football team, including Sam Huff, photo of Fred Wyant with legendary Hall of Fame football
coach Vince Lombardi
1955, undated
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 17-19
Motion Pictures
1954-1955, 1984, undated
Scope and Contents
This subseries contains two DVDs. One DVD includes WVU sports video news releases (1954-1955). The other DVD contains a tribute
video relating to 1984 Olympians (1984).
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 17
Video News Releases about WVU Sports
1954–1955
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 18
"A Tribute to Achievement: 1984 U.S. Olympic Medal Winners"
This series includes assorted writings and publications written by Henry, photographs of Henry with celebrities, biographical
materials, and other material.
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 1
Writings by Henry
1948-1968, 2015-2017
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 1
Story from South Charleston Free Press regarding doll show
1948
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 1
"Masterpieces from the Chefs of the Great Hotels of New York"
1968
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 1
"Vacation Homes: Plans and Products Guide"
1965
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 1
"News and Fake News: What to Believe?"
2017
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 1
"New Crises for College Presidents"
2015
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 2
Writings by Henry
1975-1977, 2004
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 2
"How to Profitably Buy and Sell Land," promotional flyer
1977
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 2
"Enjoying Kings Hockey"
1975
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 2
"Spinning the Bottle: Case histories, tactics and stories of wine public relations," with chapter – "Celebrities Sell Products"
– by Henry
2004
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 3
Writings by Henry – "Retrofit and Rehab – Huge Markets and Desperately Needed" (1987); "Overview of U.S. Cities and Livability"
(1999)
1987–1999
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 4
Writings by Henry – "The Challenge Ahead: Mid-Atlantic States, State of the Environment," compiled by Henry for EPA
1998
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 5
Testimony by Henry
1987–1988
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 5
Subcommittee on Science, Research and Technology, Committee on Science, Space and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives
1987
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 5
Subcommittee on Housing and Consumer Interests, Select Committee on Aging, U.S. House of Representatives; Subcommittee on
Science, Research and Technology, Committee on Science, Space and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives
1987
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 5
President's Commission on Privatization
1987
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 5
Subcommittee on HUD-Independent Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. House of Representatives
1988
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 6
Photographs – Headshots of Henry
1951–1987
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 7
Photographs – Three photographs of Henry presenting the Southland Olympic Award
1982-1985, undated
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 8
Photographs
1968–1970
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 8
Henry speaking as the moderator of the Housing Industry Briefing
1968
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 8
Henry with Robert Weaver, first Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
1968
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 8
Henry with Joe Hamilton, Hal Golden, and Stanley Myron Handelman at the Bel Air Country Club
1970
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 8
Henry with Edgar Bergen
1970
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 9
Photographs
1966–1979
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 9
Henry with actress Karen Dahle
1979
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 9
Photographs of Henry with NFL Hall of Famer Roosevelt Grier
1969
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 9
Photograph of Henry moderating a presentation by the Council of Housing Producers
1969
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 9
Henry at signing ceremony with San Francisco Mayor John F. Shelley
1966
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 10
Photographs
1954, 1978, 2007, undated
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 10
Henry at wine tasting with Vincent Price
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 10
Henry shaking hands with Sen. Tom Kuchel
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 10
Jack Fleming and assistant
1954
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 10
Photograph featuring Jerry West used to promote Sunkist Sports Film Library
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 10
3 Silver Anvils won by ICPR, of which Henry was the co-founder and managing partner
1978
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 10
WVU exhibit with letter addressed to Henry from David C. Hardesty
2007
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 11
Photographs – Photo postcard of Camp Lee Band
ca. 1910
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 12
Biographical materials
1939–1947
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 12
Rene Henry grade report cards
1939–1947
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 12
Primary reading circle certificate
1940
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 12
Pupils reading circle certificate
1942
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 12
Certificate of attendance
1942
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 12
Certificate of attendance
1943
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 12
Certificate of dental health
1944
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 12
Explorer's certificate
1944
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 12
"Outstanding Service in War Work" school certificate
1945
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 12
Bicycle safety club membership card and bicycle registration
1947
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 12
Certificate for appearing on the radio program "What Goes On?"
1947
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 12
Municipal Defense Council Service Award for civilian war service
1944
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 12
Victory Waste Paper Corp certification
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 12
Dipheria immunization certification
1939
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 12
Red Cross membership cards
1944–1946
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 13
Biographical materials – Primer of Hygiene
1913
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 14
Biographical materials – Roosevelt Junior High School Materials
1944–1948
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 14
Felt letter "R" with band and journalism pins
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 14
Chorus club programs
1947
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 14
Honor roll award cards
1944–1948
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 14
Junior high school diploma
1948
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 15
Biographical materials
ca. 1968, 1991-1993, 2015
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 15
Newspaper articles on wine tasting hosted by Henry
1967
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 15
Case study by Henry cited in Public Relations News
ca. 1968
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 15
Two Texas A&M news releases concerning Henry and his role as Executive Director of University Relations
1991–1993
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 15
Newspaper clipping regarding Henry serving as a judge for the Primetime Emmy Awards
1993
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 15
News story featuring prize-winning photograph taken by Henry
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 15
Morgantown story on Henry and his work at WVU
2015
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 16
Biographical Materials – Kanawha Banking and Trust Company Note for $800 signed by Henry's grandparents, Frank and Marie Henry
1922
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 17
Sports
ca. 1955-1970
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 17
News clippings regarding "Hot Rod" Hundley
ca. 1955
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 17
Rod Hundley memorial service program
2015
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 17
Photocopies of news stories by "Shorty" Hardman regarding Henry and Hundley
ca. 1955-1957
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 17
Letter from Steve Allen to Henry mentioning Hundley
1970
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 17
West Virginia All-Stars program featuring Hundley (all players I the program are WVU Mountaineers)
1958
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 18
Sports
1948, 1968-1970
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 18
News clippings by "Shorty" Hardman mentioning Henry
1968–1970
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 18
News article written by Henry regarding the Golden Eagles victory over West Liberty in the West Virginia State Intercollegiate
Championship
1948
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 19
Ephemera
1979–1988
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 19
"Bush for President" campaign button
1988
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 19
"Reagan Si, Bush Tambien" campaign button
1979
Mixed Materials Box: 7 Folder: 1
Publications – A History of Camp David
1985
Mixed Materials Box: 7 Folder: 2
Publications
2008–2009
Mixed Materials Box: 7 Folder: 2
Time Magazine commemorative issue and commemorative inaugural edition regarding election of President Obama
2008–2009
Mixed Materials Box: 7 Folder: 2
Newsweek magazine regarding election of President Obama
2008
Mixed Materials Box: 7 Folder: 3
Publications – Bush-Quayle Alumni Directory
2010
Mixed Materials Box: 8 Folder: 1
Publications – "Nixon Resigns in 'Interests of Nation'," Los Angeles Times
1974/08/09
Mixed Materials Box: 8 Folder: 2
Publications – 1984 Olympic Preview
August 1983
Mixed Materials Box: 8 Folder: 3
Publications – "Election 1988," The Washington Post
1988/11/10
Mixed Materials Box: 8 Folder: 4
Publications – "Ford Sworn into Office," Santa Monica Evening Outlook
1974/08/09
Mixed Materials Box: 8 Folder: 5
Publications – "President Ford Says 'Nightmare Over,'" Los Angeles Times
This series includes scrapbooks compiled by Henry as well as memorabilia from the Olympic Games and other athletic events.
There is also material regarding Henry's non-athletics related professional activities and his memebership in a fraternal
order.
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 1 1
Photocopies of scrapbooks 1 and 2
1970-2000
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 2-8
Scrapbook 1
1982 -1996
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 9-12
Scrapbook 2
1970-2000
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 13
Photocopies of scrapbook 3
1970-2002
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 14-23
Scrapbook 3
1970-2002
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 24
National Institute of Building Sciences Reports
1987
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 25
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Reports
1997-2000
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 26-27
Knights Hospitaller (Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem)
2003-2005
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 28
Miscellaneous
1939, 1960, 1963, 1977
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Object: unfoldered
US Mint 1988 Olympic coin in presentation box (2)
1988
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Object: unfoldered
Olympic Games motto coin in presentation box
ca. 1980-1990
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Box: 29
1988 Olympic Games Team USA sponsor pins in red velvet pouch (2)
1988
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Box: 30
1988 Olympic Games Team USA pins in original plastic (18)
1988
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Box: 30
Olympia award pins in original plastic (3)
ca. 1980-1990
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Box: 31
1980 Olympic Games button and miscellaneous athletics patches
1980
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Object: unfoldered
William & Mary American Revolution Bicentennial paperweight