Descriptive Summary

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

An appointment for research is required. No Inter-Library Loan. Series I, Subseries II contains restricted information and is not open for research. Color photographs are located in cold storage and require advanced notice to view. Use of audio materials may require the creation of a user copy if none exists.

Permission must be obtained from the Williams family for duplication of unpublished materials. Student papers, materials containing personal information, and correspondence between Cratis Williams and Sylvia Graham Williams are restricted. Publication of material from the Memoirs Subseries is prohibited without permission from the Williams' Family.

Copyright Notice

The collection is protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U. S. C.). Reproductions are made only for use as personal study or research. It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials. Appalachian State University owns copyright for materials generated by Cratis Williams. His heirs must give prior approval to material duplication.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Collection 102: Cratis D. Williams Papers, W. L. Eury Appalachian Collection, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, 28608.

Provenance

The collection was donated in parts by the family of Cratis Williams between 1986 and 2005.

Processing Information

Processed in 1999. Finding aid revised in 2010.

Biographical Note

Cratis Dearl Williams (April 5, 1911 - May 11, 1985), considered the Father of Appalachian Studies, was a native of Caines Creek in Lawrence County, Kentucky. Williams graduated from Louisa High School in 1928, attended Cumberland College from 1928-1929, and taught in one-room schools on Caines Creek from 1929-1933 while working towards his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Kentucky (completed in 1933). In 1937 Williams earned his Master of Arts in English from the University of Kentucky, writing a thesis entitled "Ballads and Songs" which focused on traditional music from eastern Kentucky. Williams earned his Ph. D. at New York University in 1961, writing a dissertation "The Southern Mountaineer in Fact and Fiction," which remains an authoritative examination of Appalachian literature.

In 1942 Williams was hired as critic teacher at the Appalachian Demonstration High School, Appalachian State Teachers College in Boone, North Carolina. During the first year in Boone, Williams's first wife, Sylvia Graham, died of Tuberculosis. In 1946, Williams was named assistant professor of English and speech at Appalachian State Teachers College, and continued to serve the high school until 1949 as critic teacher, assistant principal, director of drama, and director of the first school wide counseling program in North Carolina. Williams married Elizabeth Lingerfelt in 1949, with whom he had two children, Sophie (b. 1953) and David Cratis (b. 1955). He was named professor of English in 1950 at Appalachian State University, and then served as dean of the Graduate School from 1958-1975. He also served as acting vice chancellor for academic affairs (1974) and acting chancellor (1975), before his retirement in 1976.

Following his retirement, Williams began to write memoirs of his life. There are three published memoirs, two of which were posthumous publications: William H. Vaughan: A Better Man Than I Ever wanted to Be (1983), I Become a Teacher (1995), and The Cratis Williams Chronicles: I Come to Boone (1999).

During his life Cratis Williams earned many awards and achievements including: the Founders Day Certificate of Excellence, New York University (1962), North Carolina Historical Society's Achievement Award (1972), O. Max Gardner Award, University of North Carolina (1973), Brown-Hudson Award, North Carolina Folklore Society (1975), Laurel Leaves Award, Appalachian Consortium (1976), and W. D. Weatherford Award, Berea College (1979). Williams also earned honorary degrees from Berea College (1977), Cumberland College, Morehead State University, College of Idaho (1984), and from Marshall University and Appalachian State University (1985).

Scope and Content Note

This collection consists of material from the professional and private life of Cratis D. Williams. The collection includes academic research, genealogical research, correspondence, university documents, photographs, audio recordings, one video recording, and family memorabilia. The bulk of the collection consists of materials that are related to his work at Appalachian State University as a faculty member and administrator. Some of the materials include Williams' memoirs of his experiences at the Appalachian Demonstration High School and the Appalachian State Teachers College, newspaper clippings regarding college faculty and events, correspondence with Appalachian scholars and organizations, class materials, speeches, academic papers, and a collection of ballads and folklore. Also included are papers from his term as the dean of the Graduate School from 1958 to 1975. These records include correspondence, annual reports, faculty biographies, and other materials. This collection also includes materials formerly housed in the Appalachian State University Archives, concerning University committees, Academic Affairs, memorandums, Appalachian Journal correspondence, Center for Instructional Development, Faculty Senate, and materials from the individual colleges.

Personal papers include Williams' educational papers from his undergraduate and graduate studies, family research, family correspondence, letters and papers from his first wife Sylvia Graham, and research into the Appalachian region and Watauga County, NC.

Collection Arrangement

Series Description

Series I, Appalachian State University, 1915 - 1985, contains material concerning Williams' employment in various capacities at Appalachian State University from 1915-1985. It includes research, publications such as The Appalachian, Appalachian Focus, Appalachian Playbill, and Appalachian Scene, documents regarding the selection of Appalachian State University's first president, W. H. Plemmons, an unsuccessful drive to create the David French Memorial Theatre, dedications of new buildings, and newspaper clippings regarding Appalachian State University employees, students, and trends. It is organized into two subseries, Administrative and Professional (see also Series IV, Supplemental Materials, for additional Appalachian State materials).

Series I, Subseries A, Administrative Papers, 1915 - 1985, contains primarily historical and administrative materials, and is divided into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries i, Early History, 1937 - 1979, contains histories of Appalachian Training School, Appalachian State Normal School, Appalachian State Teachers College, and Appalachian State University. Sub-subseries ii, General, 1915 - 1984, contains reports, committee papers, publications, and materials on individual colleges, funding, donations, student life, and faculty members. They are arranged alphabetically. Sub-subseries iii, Higher Education, contains materials relating to other colleges and universities. Sub-subseries iv, Graduate School, 1947 - 1979, contains administrative documents relating to graduate studies, faculty biographies, Board of Trustees reports, departmental reports, and fellowship proposals.

Series I, Subseries B, Professional Papers, 1930 - 1984, includes Williams' professional files and is composed of seven sub-subseries. Sub-subseries i, Classroom, undated, contains an incomplete collection of course syllabi, assignments, exams and roll books from English literature and ballad classes. Sub-subseries ii, Committees/ Councils/ Organizations, 1971 - 1985, contains correspondence, brochures and documents relating to Appalachian State, the Appalachian region, and North Carolina organizations, including Appalachian Consortium, Center for Appalachian Studies, North Carolina historical societies, and Hindman Settlement School. Sub-subseries iii, Conferences, 1960s - 1979, consists of materials from various conferences concerning education. Sub-subseries iv, Honors and Awards, 1973 - 1985, has papers regarding various honors which Cratis Williams received, the Appalachian Symposium and the Cratis Williams Symposium. Sub-subseries v, Off-Campus Engagements, 1967 - 1982, consists of records from Cratis Williams' off-campus appearances, lectures, and events from 1967 to 1982. Sub-subseries vi, Papers/Articles/Speeches, 1930 - 1980, includes academic published and unpublished papers and speeches, focusing on Appalachian-related issues such as Scotch-Irish immigration, Appalachian culture, ballads and speech. Sub-subseries vii, Research, undated, contains Cratis Williams' research of superstitions and dialects, non-Appalachian writers and literature, and his ballad collection. Box 58 includes user copies of the ballads and folklore research.

Series II, Correspondence, 1786 - 1985, consists of letters and carbon copies of letters to and from Cratis Williams. Some of the correspondents include Amos Abrams, Jim Wayne Miller, Richard Chase, Paul Fink, W. H. Plemmons, Charlotte Ross, James Still, Jesse Stuart, and John Thomas. Paul Fink correspondence includes an original 1786 State of Franklin document signed by Governor John Sevier [Box 75, Folder 6].

Series III, Personal Papers, 1920 - 1985, contains materials relating to Williams' college education from undergraduate to doctoral studies, family correspondence, personal biographies, genealogical research, memoirs, papers of his first wife, Sylvia Graham, and other research on the Appalachian region and Watauga County, North Carolina. It is divided into three subseries: Education, Family Papers, and Miscellaneous Research.

Series III, Subseries A, Education Papers, 1932 - 1961, contain papers relating to Williams' college and graduate education and is divided into five sub-subseries. Sub-subseries i, Undergraduate, includes Williams' papers from his undergraduate education at Cumberland College. Sub-subseries ii, Master's, includes notes and drafts from his master's thesis. Sub-subseries iii, Doctorate, consists of dissertation drafts, dissertation bibliography, and dissertation-related correspondence. Sub-subseries iv, Miscellaneous, contains additional school material on zoology, journalism, English, and education. Sub-subseries v, Note Cards, contains 4 x 6 note cards used for his thesis and dissertation. Some notecards have been separated into Subseries C, Box 112, Folder 13.

Series III, Subseries B, Family Papers, 1790 - 1985, contains personal papers from Cratis Williams' private life and is divided into six sub-subseries. Sub-subseries i, Miscellaneous, 1973 - 1981, contains materials from Cumberland College Alumni Association, a contract letter, information on a trip to Northern Ireland, and poetry by Sylvia Graham. Sub-subseries ii, Biographical Papers, 1967 - 1985, consists of articles for publication, newspaper articles, Williams' curriculum vita, information on his memorial services, and day calendars from 1967 to 1985. Sub-subseries iii, Family Correspondence, 1936 - 1942, contains family letters from Mrs. L. W. Graham, Woodrow Graham, Mona and Ruth Williams, Sylvia Graham Williams, and family correspondents. Letters written between Cratis and Sylvia Williams are restricted. Sub-subseries iv, Genealogical Research, 1790 - 1880, contains photocopies of family genealogical research on the Blevins, Boggs, Griffith, Holbrook, Skaggs, Whitt, and Williams families as well as duplicates of primary genealogical sources, including censuses, gravestones, historical society information, deeds, wills, and marriage information. Sub-subseries v, Memoirs, 1928, undated, includes chapters of Williams' unpublished memoirs that he wrote after his retirement and includes Williams' 1928 diary. Sub-subseries vi, Sylvia Graham Papers, are a small collection of papers by Sylvia Graham, Williams' first wife, containing poetry, school papers, her diploma, newspaper clippings regarding her sister's death, and recipes.

Series III, Subseries C, Miscellaneous Research, 1931 - 1986, contains miscellaneous research material on the Appalachian region and Watauga County, NC, including a variety of documents, such as newspaper and magazine articles, correspondence, theater and concert programs, legislative acts, school board procedures and records, and legal rulings affecting public schools. Sub-subseries i, General, includes Appalachian notes, ballads, magazine articles, and research, and documents removed from the Note Card Sub-subseries. Sub-subseries ii, Watauga County, contains a guide to sources on Watauga County, newspaper clippings, and materials concerning the Kermit Hunter play, "Horn in the West."

Series IV, Supplemental Papers, 1933 - 1986, contains supplemental and related files that were transferred from the Appalachian State University Archives and added to the collection after its initial processing. It includes documents concerning Academic Affairs, Administrative Cabinet, Appalachian Studies Symposium, the Center for Instructional Development, Appalachian State's colleges, and the Faculty Senate. Additional material consists of correspondence from the Appalachian Journal, materials on the history of Watauga County, biographical information on Cratis Williams, and papers from Williams' days as an English teacher at Appalachian High School, including class rosters, grades, and assignments as well as newspaper clippings and programs from the 1940s.

Series V, Audiovisual Materials, 1945 - 1985, contains nontexutal materials, such as sound disc [LPs], reel-to-reel, wire, and audio cassette recordings, photographs, artifacts, a VHS tape and two reels of microfilm. It is divided by type into six subseries. Subseries A, Sound Discs, 1945 - 1954, contains recordings of folksongs by a variety of singers, including Mr. and Mrs. James York, Lillie Boggs, Nancy Parker, Frank Profitt, Laura Timmons, Cratis Williams, and Curt Williams. Subseries B, Reel-to-Reels, 1952 - 1964, contain recordings made by Cratis Williams, Frank Profitt, Amos Abrams, and David Williams, including lectures, folksongs, piano music, Irish-type antiwar songs, and ballads. Subseries C, Audio Cassettes, 1973 - 1985, includes Williams' lectures, two radio programs, and Williams' memorial service. Subseries D, Miscellaneous, includes one VHS tape, Cratis Williams: The Complete Mountaineer, and two reels of microfilm. There is also an unlabeled wire recording. Functional playback equipment and user copies are required for use of audio materials. Patrons wishing to access audio materials should check with Special Collections to ensure user copies can be obtained and proper equipment is available. At present there is no means for accessing wire recordings.

Series V, Subseries E, Photographs, contains color and black and white photographs, negatives, and slides from Cratis Williams' files and those donated by David Williams in 1998. They include photos of Cratis Williams from the 1960s to the 1980s, ancestors' gravestones, and photographs from the Correspondence Series. Color photographs and slides are stored separately in cold storage (Box 133). Two watercolor paintings of country landscapes, signed by M. Donevan and dated November-December 1984, are located in Box 134, folder 9. The first painting depicts a barn in a field, and the second a fence in a snow-covered field. Also included is a collection of materials that had been framed on Williams' office wall, including a printed poem, a bellringer dedication, and drawings, two of which are located in Series V, Oversize Materials. Framed pictures were photographed and made into slides prior to the removal of their frames. Series IV, Subseries F, Artifacts, contains three-dimensional objects including tobacco roller and cigarette sheets, a revolver, a revolver cleaning kit with its manual, an embroidered sheet, a bottle of whiskey, a cast iron washtub, and a steamer trunk.

Series VI, Separated Materials, contains materials separated by size and restricted content, and is organized into two subseries. Subseries A, Oversize, consists of materials that are larger than 11 x 14 inches and are organized by size. Smaller oversize materials are located in Box 138, while larger oversize materials, such as maps and large posters, are stored in mapcase drawers. These materials are primarily maps, brochures, posters, and ephemera, and are itemized in the container list. A folder containing English and German newspapers from North Carolina, Ohio, and New York are very fragile and require special handling. Subseries B, Restricted Materials, are primarily student papers, grades, and other personal information. They are not open for research.

Online Catalog Headings

Container List