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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterDerek Sower, SCRC Intern
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Collection is open to all researchers.
Curtis West Harris and Ruth Jones Harris Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Acc. 2014.006 was picked up from the donor by SCRC staff on 1/2/2014.
Accessioned and minimally processed by Steven Bookman, University Archives Specialist, in January 2014. Processing and finding aid completed by Derek Sower, SCRC intern, in July 2014.
Reverend Curtis W. Harris was born in Dendron, Virginia on July 1, 1924 to Mr. Sandy Harris and Mrs. Thelma Harris. He attended Hopewell public schools, Virginia Union University, and received his pastoral training through the Medical College of Virginia. Harris' list of positions held include but are not limited to: serving as pastor at Union Baptist and Little Gilford Baptist churches, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and mayor of Hopewell, Virginia. Harris has also been the recipient to numerous awards and proclamations for his involvement with the Civil Rights movement and the overall advancement of the Hopewell community.
By Rev. Harris' side for over fifty years was Ruth Jones, whom he wedded in 1946. Ruth founded Hopewell's Union Day Care Center in the early 1970's as well as a program for senior citizens. She served on Hopewell's Senior Citizen Commission in the early to mid-1980 and as an avid supporter of racial equality she cared for the home, six children and business while Rev. Harris was on the front lines for the cause.
This collection contains biographical information relating to Reverend Curtis W. Harris, Ruth Jones Harris, Hopewell community members and calendars for the Harris family. Included in the collection are documents relating to Reverend Harris' time spent serving on Hopewell's City Council, materials from the churches Rev. Harris served, as well as his involvement with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. In addition to this material are photo albums, pertaining to church related programs/activities and events at the Union Day Care Center, and artifacts.
The collection is divided into six (6) series. Due to keeping as close to original order as possible, materials in each folder vary in form and may have a wide range of years. Folders in each series are arranged chronologically by the first date stated and then alphabetically if pertaining the same start date. Items in the folders have been left in the original arrangement, which means items may or may not be in chronological order.
Series 1 contains biographic materials. Series 2 contains documents relating church and ministry materials. It is composed of three (3) sub-series: Bethany Baptist, Ministry, and Union Baptist. Series 3 is for material relating to the town of Hopewell and contains two (2) sub-series for City Council and Hopewell Community. Series 4 contains digital photographs but also a collection from photo albums. It is important to note that his series contains newspaper articles that Reverend Harris placed in his photo album collection. Series 5 is titled SCLC/Civil Rights and is divided into the sub-series Civil Right and SCLC. Series 6 includes artifacts, which are housed with the Manuscripts Artifact Collection.
Series includes biographical information relating to Reverend Curtis W. Harris, Ruth Jones Harris, Hopewell community members and calendars for the Harris family.
Contains several copies of different biographical information for Rev. Harris from various events. Includes a pencil portrait of Dr. Harris, 1994
Contains biographies that include life events and places of work. Correspondence that includes telegrams and letters from community members, family, and state and local representatives.
Items include city proclamations, awards program, certificates of appreciation, and booklets commemorating years of service.
Contains several family made calendars but the family is not specifically stated, possibly the Harris or Washington family.
Items consist of undated biographical sketches of community members and announcement for funeral proceedings.
Contains information for Washington family reunions, marriage license, and family calendar.
Photographs from an awards banquets, Presidential Inauguration Invitation, and other information pertaining to the Inauguration.
This series is divided into three (3) sub-series: Bethany Baptist, Union Baptist, and Ministry. The entire series contains documents that relate to church/ministry materials. Material vary in form but include church bulletins, conference programs, materials from Minister Wives and Widows association, and church specific announcements/correspondences.
Contains booklets with the minutes for the Bethany Baptist Association Annual Session.
Contains booklet with the minutes for the Bethany Baptist Association Annual Session.
Contains booklets with the minutes for the Bethany Baptist Association Annual Session.
Contains booklets with the minutes for the Bethany Baptist Association Annual Session.
Contains booklets with the minutes for the Bethany Baptist Association Annual Session.
Contains booklets with the minutes for the Bethany Baptist Association Annual Session.
Contains booklets with the minutes for the Bethany Baptist Association Annual Session.
Contains booklets with the minutes for the Bethany Baptist Association Annual Session.
Contains booklets with the minutes for the Bethany Baptist Association Annual Session.
Contains booklets with the minutes for the Bethany Baptist Association Annual Session.
Contains booklets with the minutes for the Bethany Baptist Association Annual Session.
Contains booklets with the minutes for the Bethany Baptist Association Annual Session.
This folder consists of church memos and a brief Rev. Harris biographical sketch but primarily contains information about the women's convention, queens contest, and member information.
Memos for the music committee are included with the church newsletter titled "Flashes".
This folder contains memos and correspondence letters to the church as well as church address lists.
This folder contains a variety of letters to the congregation, lists of names and addresses for association members and photographs of a U.S. map.
Church memos, unfinished bulletins, and church address list. Additional items include correspondence from Rev. Harris.
Contains minutes, programs, memos and agenda for Bethany Baptist Association meetings. Additional items are lists of addresses for church and Virginia County administrations.
Memos to Bethany Baptist association members, fund raising material, church congregation letters, and information about the queens contest.
This folder contains several bulletins that are not finished, budget information, retreat information, and a few correspondence letters.
Member list of the sharing and caring, donation listing for sharing and caring, church listing of participants, and Bethany Baptist Association Sunday School Superintendents list.
Program for the 29th Annual Joint Session and memos from Bethany Baptist.
Program for meetings, member listing, and committee leaders listing.
Programs for meeting, listing for courses offered, and church memos. Other items include service program and flyer for the 1997-98 Advent service.
This folder contains evaluations forms for 29th annual joint session meeting.
This folder contains information pertaining to directions, classes, and memos pertaining to the Fall Institute.
Items include documents relating to the building survey of the former Stony Creek Jr. High School.
Items include information and memos for board meetings, listings of trustee members, and programs for women's retreat.
This folder contains memos to the president and members of the Bethany Baptist Association and Allied Bodies pertaining to the Women's Convention. Other items include a partial bulletin, and listing of the women participating in the Women's convention.
Items in this folder include an outline for a dedication ceremony, program for Harris banquet, and service pamphlet for a funeral.
Items include Anniversary and souvenir programs for First Baptist Church.
This folder includes programs and booklets pertaining to Usher's Union, Prince George and Vicinities Baptist Churches, and Friendship Baptist Church. Additional items included graduation program, banquet program in honor of Rev. Harris, and correspondence to Rev. Harris.
This folder contains bulletins, anniversary booklets, and tribute programs for Rev. Harris from Little Gilfield and Gilfield Baptist Church.
Items in this folder include booklets for the history and membership directory for the Ministers' Wives and Widows association.
This folder contains three booklets for the Ministers' Wives and Widows conferences. It also includes the name tag of Ruth Jones that will be stored with the artifacts as well as a service program.
Items include Virginia Baptist State Convention Blue Ribbon Commission Strategy, program, and newsletter information from the Virginia Baptist State Convention.
All items in this folder are sermon printouts or notes of Rev. Harris.
This folder contains correspondence to and from Rev. Harris but also contains some letters by Ruth Harris.
Five souvenir programs for the anniversary of the church are contained in this folder.
Contents include: Programs for a testimony, church anniversary and a Ministers' Wives and Widows event.
Items in this folder are correspondence from Rev. Harris and other church leaders. Additional items include information about the Juneteenth event and certificate of distinction.
Primarily consist of bulletins but also included are by-laws for church clubs.
All items in this folder are bulletins from the church.
Letters in this folder are from Ruth Harris, Rev. Harris and other pastors. Other items are programs and flyers for church events, service programs, and roster of church membership.
Contents include: programs honoring Rev. Harris, anniversary cards from community members, and photocopied photographs.
Memos, certificate of recognition and back to school information.
This folder is primarily comprised of letters and correspondence from Rev. Harris. Other items include information from Hopewell Housing authority, computer literacy survey, and press release.
Items in this folder contain information regarding donations/contributions made by church members, rally financial contributions, and church budget proposals.
Items in this folder consist of flyers for conventions, list of committees with their members, income proposal/financial reports, and pictures of day care facilities in need of repair.
Dedication program from Oliver Hill Courts building, work verification/reference letter, and biographic/introductory material for guest Spears are located in this folder.
Items primarily consist of budget/financial reports but also included in this folder are memo's for men's meeting.
Materials in this folder inform the congregation members of the upcoming revival and fellowship.
Memos for Martin Luther King memorial breakfast, letters from the SCLC stating meeting will be held at Union Baptist and a script for a play are included in this folder. An additional item includes a blank petition for the Circuit Court of the City of Hopewell.
This folder contains letters from Rev. Harris, introductory notes for guests, information on VBS (Vacation Bible School), and the Women's Day financial report.
List of committees and their members, names of trustees, bible study booklet, and Christmas greeting letter are included in this folder.
Items include music ministry leaders and their salary, flyers and memos for Vacation Bible School, revivals, and Passion Week are also included.
Comprised mainly of a PowerPoint printout and informational packet for the Welcome and Introduction of Facilitator. Other items include flyers for retreat.
List of church members and pledge of service cards.
This series documents meetings of Hopewell city council, correspondence from state and local representatives, depositions, school board, and Hopewell community news/events.
Newspaper clippings pertaining to the election recall, petition of removal from office, and letters of correspondence are included in this folder.
A letter to Rev. Harris regarding the school board and city council, data from the city attorney, and information about Hopewell's house energy and water funding.
Items in this folder include flyer for Harris' senate campaign, correspondence regarding environmental issues, and press release for removal of city councilors. Additional items include receipts for city council purchases and information regarding an equal employment opportunity case.
This folder contains and invitation to White House for Clinton's welcoming of Nelson Mandela, letters of complaints from citizens, and congratulatory letters.
News articles for information about Osage Bio-Energy and Harris' campaigns as well as several letters of correspondence to Rev. Harris are included in this folder.
Items from July 16, 2008 meeting and include memos, correspondence, and a pamphlet for Harris' election campaign.
This folder contains budget approval and a photocopy blueprint of Hopewell's Visitor Center.
Included in this folder are the topics of discussion and meeting minutes from the Joint Council Meeting on May 1, 1998.
This folder contains letters, memos, programs, and the agenda/minutes of city council meetings.
This folder contains interdepartmental newsletters about the duties of the cities departments.
Included in this folder are the topics of discussion and newsletter from the City Council Meeting on May 22, 1998.
Items in this folder relate to Virginia's Municipal League and the National League of Cities.
The information in this folder relates to the application process and background information about the All American City award.
Items in this folder include receipts for employee travel expenses, budget request, and interdepartmental newsletters.
Interdepartmental newsletters, business plans, materials proposing a curfew for minors, and information regarding the school system.
Documents relating to the transportation plan for Petersburg, Colonial Heights, and Hopewell, Virginia.
Contains information about the Youth in Government Day.
This folder contains a birthday card from Mark Warner and a booklet from the city attorney.
Information regarding city tour and Butterworth lofts.
Capital project for Hopewell Schools, community concerns, and city policies.
Proposal for federal lobbying, banking information, VA newsletters, and business correspondence.
Letter to the community, commencement program for Hopewell High School, pictures from an unknown gathering, Hopewell history souvenir program, and a black history calendar from Dupont Elementary.
Documents relating meeting minutes, charter, and by-laws of Union Day Care Center.
Photocopies of western union telegrams stating voter support, and city resolutions/proclamations in honor of Rev. Harris.
Several campaign posters are included in the collection.
This series includes digital photographs and non-digital photographs. Many of the non-digital photo albums are about the Union Day Care Center and church events; however, included in this series are several newspaper articles and non-photograph related items that were originally stored in photo album binders.
Certificates, letters and photographs from events held by Gilfield Baptist.
This folder contains a variety of awards and certificates presented to Reverend Harris.
Pictures, flyers, service announcements, and newspapers articles relating to the Hopewell community.
Pictures, flyers, service announcements, and newspapers articles relating to the Hopewell community.
Collection of postcards that was sent to Curtis Harris from his father.
Pictures relating to church events and of the congregation's families.
Pictures relating to church events and of the congregation's families.
Pictures relating to church events and of the congregation's families.
Pictures relating to church events and of the congregation's families.
Pictures relating to church events and of the congregation's families.
This folder contains a variety of awards/certificates presented to Reverend Harris, letters of correspondence, news articles, and invitations for events.
Pictures relating to events and daily operations of Union Day Care.
Pictures relating to events and daily operations of Union Day Care.
Newspaper articles relating to Hopewell, churches, and the SCLC.
Newspaper articles relating to Hopewell, churches, and the SCLC.
Photographs of SCLC events.
Photographs of SCLC awards ceremony.
Contains two photo albums given to Rev. Harris of the 2008 Presidential Inauguration of President Barak Obama.
This series documents the history of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Rev. Harris' involvement as President. Included in the SCLC sub-series is material relating to Martin Luther King Jr. and information on cases pertaining to equal opportunity employment. The sub-series titled Civil Rights contain articles relating to injustices throughout the United Stated but did not have a specific link to or involvement of the SCLC.
Newspaper articles relating to local (Hopewell) voting.
This folders contains articles relating to African American involvement in churches and government.
This folders contains articles relating to African American involvement in churches and government.
Newspaper articles relating to civil rights violations and crimes against African Americans.
Items include several books/booklets relating to the history of the SCLC, a tribute booklet for Curtis Harris, and documents pertaining to local government's equal opportunity employment.
Letters, programs, pamphlets, and news articles relating to SCLC chapters in Virginia.
Martin Luther King Jr. book and other items relating to conferences and conventions of the SCLC.
Booklets relating to conferences and conventions of the SCLC.
News articles for SCLC's boycott of high gas prices, photos of Rev. Harris at a march in Alabama, and letters of correspondence.
Items include: Correspondence letters, information on Unity Day and news articles about Harris and the SCLC.
Items include: Program for MLK birthday celebration and information on members.
Items include: Information on historic highway marker, SCLC memos, voting information, and articles on discrimination.
Conference programs, resolution to support human rights of Smithfield workers, and bylaws of the SCLC.
News articles and media/press information releases on Rev. Harris and the SCLC.
Memos and correspondence from the SCLC, letter from the Housing authority, articles about the SCLC and hate crimes, and a case from the equal opportunity commission are included in this folder.
Items in this folder are mainly comprised of letters/memos from the SCLC.
Items include programs and flyers for functions of the SCLC Women and documents relating to the meeting minutes of the Virginia unit.
Items include: Program from Southeast Community Days, SCLC presentation and SCLC conference program.
Items in this folder primarily include letters of concern from the African American Community and information on equal opportunity cases.
Items in this folder primarily include conference programs, meeting minutes and information on equal opportunity cases.
Booklet with information on the development plan for the Dillard area.
All artifacts received as part of the Curtis West Harris and Ruth Jones Harris Papers are housed in the Manuscripts Artifact Collection.
1-circular button that has a white top and a burgundy bottom on the front. On the white top "SCLC" is printed in burgundy and "SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE" is printed in burgundy under "SCLC." On the burgundy bottom "32ND ANNUAL CONVENTION/AUGUST 15-18, 1989/ ATLANTA, GEORGIA/DR. JOSEPH E. LOWERY/ PRESIDENT" is printed in white. The back of the button is silver and has a needle and hook so that the wearer can attach the button to his or her shirt. The button measures approximately 2.125in. and is in good condition. There is tarnish on the back of the button around the edges and in the center under the needle and hook. Located in the Manuscripts Artifact Collection. Mss 2014.006.01
1- name badge that has a clear slip cover top, and a green and white ribbon bottom. The back of the slip cover top has a small silver needle and hook where the wearer can attach the badge to her shirt. The slip cover top has The International Association of Ministers' Wives and Ministers' Widows, Inc logo printed in black on the wearer's right. The association's name is printed in black above the logo and "DR. ELIZABETH COLES BOUEY, FOUNDER/ DR. JANIE CHARLES HOLMES, INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT" is printed in black below the logo. A green piece of paper is inserted inside the slip cover and has "Annual Convention/ Ruth J. Harris/Hopewell, VA/Atlanta, GA/ July 2-July 9, 2010" typed in black print on it. The Green ribbon at the bottom has "MEMBER" printed in gold on it and the white ribbon has "LIFE MEMBER" printed in gold on it. The badge measures approximately 5.5in. (length) x 4.5in. (width) and is in good condition. There are three small red stains under the "R" in "LIFE MEMBER" on the white ribbon. Located in the Manuscripts Artifact Collection. Mss 2014.006.02
1-miniature white hangman's noose. Attached to the top of the noose is a brown tag. The brown tag reads "POOR PEOPLE'S PRODUCTS" in a circle and "I Helped Hang Poverty" below it. Inside the circular "POOR PEOPLE'S PRODUCT" is a square that has text within it that reads, "THIS IS TO CERTIFY THE PRODUCT YOU HAVE PURCHASED IS GENUINE." The "I Helped Hang Poverty" noose was propaganda used by the Poor People's Campaign to bring attention to the plight of poor Americans. The Poor People's Campaign was an movement organized by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1968 with the aim of demanding economic and human rights for economically disadvantaged Americans of all races. The noose measures approximately 16in (tag included) and is in fair condition. The noose itself has suffered from discoloration and the rope edges that tie the noose together are frayed. In addition, there are black stains on the first three spirals of the noose and the left side of the knot that holds the tag. The tag has creases in the middle and is torn from the top right corner to the middle. There is white discoloration and a small brown stain above the "I" in "I Helped Hang Poverty" and there is a large brown stain under the word "Poverty." On the back of the tag there are large black spots along the top of the tag near the knot that holds the tag. There is also a small black stain on the bottom left corner of the tag. Located in the Manuscripts Artifact Collection, Textiles. Mss 2014.006.03
1- square wooden plaque with a lighter brown shape carved in the middle. Within the lighter brown shape is a poem printed in black block type. The poem titled "WHAT IS A PASTOR?" reads: "A pastor is someone/ who is chosen by God/ As a shepherd of souls in his care,/He's someone who comforts/ an unhappy heart/ with a smile or a word or a prayer./ A pastor is someone/ whose strength and devotion/ Enriches the living of others,/He's someone who preaches/ the wonderful message/ That in Jesus all men are brothers./ A pastor is someone/ whose goal is to follow/ A worthy and lofty ideal--/ To guide other souls/ in the straight paths of truth,/ To sympathize, comfort and heal." The back of the plaque has a red felt covering and a piece of tape attached to it in the middle that has "Done by Ruth Harris" written in pen. There is a whole drilled at the top center of the plaque presumably for mounting purposes. The plaque measures approximately 5.5in. (length) x 5.5in. (width) and is in excellent condition. There is evidence of chipping on the bottom left and right corners. Located in the Manuscripts Artifact Collection, Wood. Mss 2014.006.04
1-wooden plaque with a glass-encased document mounted upon it. The document is on parchment paper and has the City Seal of Hopewell, Virginia at the bottom left of the document. Brass tacks affix the document and the glass to the wooden plaque. On the back of the plaque, there is a rounded notch at the top and on left side where one can hang the plaque on a hook. On the bottom, right corner of the back of the plaque there is a golden sticker that reads "CUSTOM MADE BY/ The Award Company of AMERICA/ 3200 Rice Mine Road N.E. / P.O. Box 2029/ Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401/ Call Toll Free 1-800-633-5953/ or Call 205-349-2990." The plaque was presented to Rev. Dr. Curtis W. Harris when D. Paul Karnes, mayor of Hopewell in 1997, declared July 5 Reverend Doctor Curtis W. Harris Day in Hopewell, Virginia. The plaque measures approximately 13.875in. (length) x 11.5in. (width) and is in good condition. The edges of the document poking out from under the glass have suffered yellow discoloration. There is an approximately 4.25in. scratch on the glass above the City Seal of Hopewell on the document. A smaller scratch is located just above the scratch above the Seal. There is an approximately 0.5in. piece of extended glass near the middle of the document beside the third "WHEREAS." In addition, there is an approximately 0.375in. chip in the glass at the very top of the document. Finally, there are scratches all over the wooden back and some chipping of the wood on all four corners of the plaque. Located in the Manuscripts Artifact Collection, Wood. Mss 2014.006.05