Hugh E. Henry Papers - Accession 1763

Authors

Hugh Elmer Henry

Files

Identifier

Accession 1763

Inclusive Dates

1904-2001

Restrictions

Open under the rules and regulations of the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

Collection Size

.25 linear feet, 500 pieces

Language

English;

Scope and Content Note

The Hugh E. Elmer Papers document the personal, familial, educational, religious, and community interests of Hugh Elmer Henry (1926–2001) and, more broadly, aspects of civic and social life in Chester County, South Carolina, during the twentieth century. The collection spans from the early 1900s to 2001, with the greatest concentration of materials relating to the late 1930s through the 1940s and retrospective documentation created in later decades.

A substantial portion of the collection focuses on Chester High School, particularly the classes from 1938 through 1943. Included are newspaper clippings documenting class reunions, school activities, athletic teams, commencement exercises, and student life, many of which were preserved within original yearbooks from 1939, 1940, and 1941. The collection also contains sporting and extracurricular materials, including photographs, programs, and articles highlighting baseball, football, boxing, home economics style shows, and graduation ceremonies. These materials provide valuable insight into secondary education and youth culture in Chester during the mid-twentieth century.

The papers include extensive biographical and obituary materials relating to members of the Henry family, Chester High School faculty and alumni, and prominent figures in the local community. These clippings, many of which were inserted into school yearbooks, document personal milestones, professional accomplishments, and deaths, offering a longitudinal record of individuals connected to Chester’s educational and civic institutions.

Religious life is represented through materials from the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Chester, including church programs, handbooks, readings, and instructional materials dating from the late 1950s through the early 1970s. These items reflect Mr. Henry’s involvement with the church and provide context for congregational organization and activities during this period.

Community and municipal history is further documented through newspaper articles concerning Chester County, including a report on a missing courthouse plaque, land sales, and a published pictorial history of the county. Visual materials include original photographic negatives of the 1942 Chester fire, as well as photographs of Chester High School students and events, the Henry family, local landmarks, and civic gatherings. Some photographs and oversized items have been transferred to separate housing for preservation.

Additional materials include miscellaneous ephemera such as a 1932 South Carolina State Highway System map, commemorative plaques, and a 1943 Winthrop College orchestra program. Collectively, the Hugh E. Elmer Papers provide a rich resource for researchers interested in Chester County history, secondary education, religious life, family history, and community memory in South Carolina across the twentieth century.

Provenance

The Hugh E. Henry Papers were deposited to the Louise Pettus Archives & Special Collections at Winthrop University on November 2, 2021.

Copyright

For information concerning copyright please contact the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections at Winthrop University.

Finding Aid Citation

Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections, Winthrop University, "Hugh E. Henry Papers - Accession 1763". Finding Aid 1358.
https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/manuscriptcollection_findingaids/1358