Guide to the Monroe Evans Gardner Papers, 1910 - 1975

Collection Number MC 167

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Collection Information
Abstract:

Includes correspondence, newspaper articles, typewritten manuscripts, printed publications, photographs and ephemera that belonged to North Carolina State University Professor Emeritus M. E. Gardner. The collection spans Gardner's academic, professional and retirement years. The material dates from 1910 to 1975.

Contact Information:
Processed by
Mick Watts
Date Completed
March, 2002
Encoded by
Mick Watts

Descriptive Summary

Creator

Gardner, M. E. (Monroe Evans) 1895 - 1975

Title

The Monroe Evans Gardner Papers, 1910 - 1975

Call Number

MC 167

Extent

2 archival box, 3 linear feet

Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Special Collections Research Center Reference Staff.

Information for Users

Restrictions to Access

This collection is open for research; access requires at least 24 hours advance notice.
Acquisitions Information

Gift of Monroe Evans Gardner, Jr., 1983 and Mrs. A. J. Gardner, 2001.
Preferred Citation

[Identification of Item], Monroe Evans Gardner Papers, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Copyright Notice

North Carolina State University does not own copyright to this collection. Individuals obtaining materials from the NCSU Libraries' Special Collections Research Center are responsible for using the works in conformance with United States copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.

Biographical Note


North Carolina State University Professor Emeritus of Horticultural Science, Monroe Evans Gardner was born on October 3, 1895, in Blacksburg, Virginia. He was educated at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and served in the Army Air Corps during WW I. He held positions with the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station and Clemson College before joining the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station in 1927. In 1933, he was appointed head of the Department of Horticultural Science at North Carolina State University where he remained until 1956 when he stepped down to pursue teaching and research. Gardner retired in 1965 but remained deeply involved in agricultural activities.

M. E. Gardner was active in North Carolina's agricultural industry for nearly 50 years. He initiated the movement that resulted in the first appropriation for agricultural research ever made by the North Carolina State Assembly. He was responsible for the organization of the N.C. Association of Nurserymen, the N.C. Commercial Flower Growers and the N.C. Apple Growers' Association. In addition, he had notable achievements in the development of modern disease and pest resistant plants, and wrote a garden column, "Garden Time" that was published in over 150 North Carolina newspapers. Gardner was named a Fellow by the American Horticultural Society in 1967 and the M. E. Gardner Arboretum was dedicated on the N.C. State campus in his honor in 1973. The arboretum was designed as a place of beauty and as a functional teaching and research facility. In addition, Gardner was active in civic affairs, taking part in the administration of the Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh and serving as chairman of the YMCA board of directors for fifteen years.

Extolled as a horticultural pioneer and accomplished as an educator, scientist and administrator, students remained Gardner's absorbing interest. He once said, "There is nothing glamorous about teaching as far as professional recognition is concerned, but there are deep and lasting satisfactions." M. E. Gardner died in January of 1975 at the age of seventy-nine.

Scope and Content Note


The collection of papers belonging to Monroe Evans Gardner is made up of an initial donation given to North Carolina State University in 1983 that consists of correspondence with former horticulture students who served in WW II. Additional material belonging to M. E. Gardner was donated in 2001. That donation consists of personal correspondence, biographical material, newspaper clippings, photographs, photographic proof sheets and photographic negatives, certificates of commendation and emblems of achievement, and also horticultural industry and academic print publications. The collection consists of seven series.

Organization of Collection


The collection is organized into seven series. The first series, Correspondence With Former Horticulture Students Who Served In WWII, consists of correspondence maintained by Gardner with North Carolina State College students serving in the armed forces during the Second World War. Series contains letters, newsletters, holiday cards and photographs. The next series, Personal Correspondence, is a collection of personal correspondence arranged chronologically covering a time span from 1926-1975. The remaining series are: Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Writings, Certificates and Letters of Commendation, M. E. Gardner Arboretum Dedication and, Magazines and Publications Collected by M.E. Gardner.

Online Catalog Headings

Agriculture -- Competitions
Agricultural exhibitions -- North Carolina
Agricultural exhibitions -- North Carolina -- Raleigh -- History
American Horticultural Society
Fruit -- Diseases and Pests
Fruit -- Diseases and pests -- Control
Gardening -- North Carolina
Gardening -- North Carolina -- Wake County -- Periodicals
Gardens
Gardner, M.E. (Monroe Evans) 1895-1975
Horticultural products -- North Carolina
Horticulture -- North Carolina -- Periodicals
Horticulture -- Periodicals
Horticulture -- Research -- North Carolina
Horticulture -- Study and teaching (Higher)
Horticultural products -- North Carolina
M.E. Gardner Arboretum
Men's Garden Club of Wake County, N.C.
Muscadine grape -- Research
North Carolina Apple Growers Association
North Carolina Association of Nurserymen
North Carolina Commercial Flower Growers Association -- History
North Carolina State University. Dept. of Horticultural Sciences
North Carolina State University -- Faculty
North Carolina State University -- History
North Carolina State University. Horticulture Club.
North Carolina State University. Horticultural Club -- Periodicals
Orchards -- Diseases and pests -- Control
Orchards -- Management
Orchards -- North Carolina
Potatoes -- Diseases and pests -- Control
Potatoes -- Varieties
Pullen Memorial Baptist Church (Raleigh, N.C.) -- History
Soldiers -- United States -- Correspondence
Victory gardens
Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Alumni Association
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University -- Alumni and alumnae -- Biography
Viticulture -- Research
V-mail
Young Men's Christian Association -- North Carolina

Related Materials

UA 100.22 College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Department of Horticultural Sciences Sub-Group
MC 298 John S. Campbell Papers
MC 166 The Charles Dearing Papers

Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Correspondence with former horticulture students who served in the armed forces during World War II, 1940 - 1945


    1 archival box , 0.5 linear feet

    Series contains correspondence, including some snapshots from former horticultural students. Additionally there are newsletters with information about activities at the North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering and information on the activities of fellow students. The correspondence includes holiday cards, V-Mail, and forms notifying Gardner of current addresses organized by students' last name.

    • Andrews, F. S., 1940 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder1]
    • Baird, Guy, 1943 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder2]
    • Banadyga, Albert, 1942 - 1944 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder3]
    • Bannerman, Paul E., 1943 - 1945 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder4]
    • Brewer, Jimmie E., 1944 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder5]
    • Bullard, Ervin T., 1943 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder6]
    • Correll, Franklin E., 1943 - 1945 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder7]
    • Crew, James, 1944 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder8]
    • Carver, Irving, 1943 - 1944 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder9]
    • Davis, George W., 1942 - 1944 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder10]
    • Frink, J.C., 1942 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder11]
    • Gibson, Paul, 1943 - 1945 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder12]
    • Krochmal, Ace, 1942 - 1946 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder13]
    • Lentz, William, 1942 - 1944 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder14]
    • Lewis, W.M., 1943 - 1944 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder15]
    • Maynard, Gerald, 1942 - 1945 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder16]
    • Niswonger, George B., 1943 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder17]
    • Patton, James, 1942 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder18]
    • Perlmutter, Frank, 1942 - 1945 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder19]
    • Poe, Clarence, 1943 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder20]
    • Purifoy, Dan, 1942 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder21]
    • Robbins, Thomas J., 1943 - 1945 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder22]
    • Robbins, William Dudley, 1942 - 1945 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder23]
    • Schmidt, Robert, 1943 - 1945 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder24]
    • Schmidt, F. H., 1942 - 1945 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder25]
    • Sprinkle, George, 1942 - 1943 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder26]
    • Thompson, Walton, 1943 - 1944 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder27]
    • Tilley, Thomas M., 1942 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder28]
    • Tinga, Jacob, 1942 - 1945 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder29]
    • Underwood, Von H., 1943 - 1945 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder30]
    • Vaughn, Jack, 1943 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder31]
    • Watson, Van, 1944 - 1945 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder32]
    • Whitfield, J. V., 1943 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder33]
    • Wilson, John, 1943 - 1944 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder34]
    • Yancey, William, 1943 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder35]
    • York, Thomas Lenoir, 1943 - 1945 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder36]
    • Letters returned to sender, 1943 - 1945 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder37]
    • Letters and address lists, 1943 - 1944 [MC 167 Box 1, Folder38]
    • Unidentified photographs, [MC 167 Box 1, Folder39]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Personal Correspondence, 1926 - 1975


    2.5 archival boxes , 1.25 linear feet

    Contains a collection of personal correspondence (handwritten and typed). The correspondence is arranged chronologically.

    • February, 1926 - June,1930 [MC 167 Box 2, Folder1]
    • September, 1930 - November, 1931 [MC 167 Box 2, Folder2]
    • January, 1932 - January, 1936 [MC 167 Box 2, Folder3]
    • April, 1936 - July, 1937 [MC 167 Box 2, Folder4]
    • August, 1937 - September, 1940 [MC 167 Box 2, Folder5]
    • October, 1940 - September, 1941 [MC 167 Box 2, Folder6]
    • January, 1942 - June, 1943 [MC 167 Box 2, Folder7]
    • June, 1943 - November, 1945 [MC 167 Box 2, Folder8]
    • August, 1946 - August, 1953 [MC 167 Box 2, Folder9]
    • October, 1953 - December, 1955 [MC 167 Box 2, Folder10]
    • June, 1956 - November, 1956 [MC 167 Box 2, Folder11]
    • March, 1957 - November, 1958 [MC 167 Box 3, Folder1]
    • December, 1958 - May, 1960 [MC 167 Box 3, Folder2]
    • June, 1960 - December, 1961 [MC 167 Box 3, Folder3]
    • February, 1962 - October, 1963 [MC 167 Box 3, Folder4]
    • December, 1963 - October, 1965 [MC 167 Box 3, Folder5]
    • May, 1965 - November, 1965 [MC 167 Box 3, Folder6]
    • December, 1965 - December, 1967 [MC 167 Box 3, Folder7]
    • February,1968 - December, 1968 [MC 167 Box 3, Folder8]
    • January, 1969 - December, 1969 [MC 167 Box 3, Folder9]
    • February, 1979 - November, 1970 [MC 167 Box 3, Folder10]
    • January, 1971 - December, 1971 [MC 167 Box 3, Folder11]
    • January, 1972 - October, 1972 [MC 167 Box 3, Folder12]
    • January, 1973 - January - 1974 [MC 167 Box 4, Folder1]
    • February, 1974 - March, 1974 [MC 167 Box 4, Folder2]
    • April, 1974 - August, 1974 [MC 167 Box 4, Folder3]
    • September, 1974 - December, 1974 [MC 167 Box 4, Folder4]
    • January, 1975 [MC 167 Box 4, Folder5]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI), 1918 - 1969


    0.5 archival boxes , 0.25 linear feet

    Contains VPI Alumni Association correspondence, fifty-year reunion correspondence and photos of VPI 1918 class. Throughout his life, M. E. Gardner remained in touch with his alma mater through the VPI Alumni Association, and through personal correspondence with classmates. Gardner took responsibility in 1968 for coordinating the fifty-year reunion of VPI's Class of 1918.

    • Alumni Association Correspondence, 1926 - 1956 [MC 167 Box 4, Folder6]
    • 50th Reunion, 1968, (1 of 2) [MC 167 Box 4, Folder7]
    • 50th Reunion, 1968, (2 of 2) [MC 167 Box 4, Folder8]
    • General, 1969 -1975, (1 of 2) [MC 167 Box 4, Folder9]
    • General, 1969 - 1975, (2 of 2) [MC 167 Box 4, Folder10]
    • Photographs, 1918 - 1970, [no date] [MC 167 Box 4, Folder11]
    • Publications, 1972 [MC 167 Box 4, Folder12]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Writings, 1928 - 1967


    1.5 Boxes , 0.75 linear feet

    Gardner wrote prodigiously. His work appeared regularly in horticultural publications and in over 150 newspapers in North Carolina. As the head of North Carolina State University's horticultural department, Gardner collected material relevant to horticultural research and to the promotion of the State of North Carolina's production of horticultural products. Series contains typewritten copies of articles by Gardner that were used in university and horticultural publications with technical papers on the development of pest and disease resistant plant cultivars (Sequoia Potato) and an article on "The Origin of the Scuppernong Grape." Series contains newspaper articles written by Gardner. There are also copies of papers collected by Gardner that were written by members of the North Carolina State University Department of Horticulture and papers and articles written by members of North Carolina's Cooperative Extension Service. In addition, there are papers by other members of the region's horticultural industry. Contains material written to promote North Carolina's horticultural industry (fruit growers, vegetable/truck farming business, seed articles) and copies of news articles that reference M. E. Gardner as a source of information pertinent to the state's horticultural industry. Series also contains copies of news articles collected by Gardner with general information on North Carolina's horticultural industry, and copies of articles saved by Gardner that were of personal importance.

    • M.E. Gardner
      • Research Papers
        • 1928 - 1961 [MC 167 Box 5, Folder1]
        • [No date] [MC 167 Box 5, Folder2]
        • [No date] [MC 167 Box 5, Folder3]
        • [No date] [MC 167 Box 5, Folder4]
        • [No date] [MC 167 Box 5, Folder5]
      • Newspaper Articles
        • 1928 - 1972 [MC 167 Box 5, Folder6]
    • N.C. State University Horticulture Department
      • 1928 - 1954 [MC 167 Box 5, Folder7]
      • [No date] [MC 167 Box 5, Folder8]
      • [No date] [MC 167 Box 5, Folder9]
      • [No date] [MC 167 Box 5, Folder10]
      • [No date] [MC 167 Box 5, Folder11]
    • Newspaper Clippings
      • Quote or Reference M. E. Gardner
        • 1929 - 1938 [MC 167 Box 6, Folder1]
        • 1939 - 1949 [MC 167 Box 6, Folder2]
        • 1950 - 1967 [MC 167 Box 6, Folder3]
      • North Carolina Horticultural Industry
        • 1937 - 1942 [MC 167 Box 6, Folder4]
        • 1943 - 1964 [MC 167 Box 6, Folder5]
      • Personal
        • 1945 - 1964 [MC 167 Box 6, Folder6]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Certificates and Letters of Commendation, 1944 - 1975


    0.25 archival boxes , 0.125 linear feet

    Contains certificates of membership and appreciation and letters of commendation. Gardner's life and career were marked repeatedly with recognition for his accomplishments and his contributions to the horticultural industry, the world of academia and to the community at large. Series contains numerous certificates of achievement and appreciation.

    • General, 1944 - 1975 [MC 167 Box 6, Folder7]
    • L. M. Ware Award, February, 1961 - July, 1961 [MC 167 Box 6, Folder8]
    • Fellow - American Horticultural Society September, 1967 - January, 1968 [MC 167 Box 6, Folder9]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • M.E. Gardner Arboretum, 1972 - 1973


    0.25 archival boxes , 0.125 linear feet

    A place that had once been a weed lot on the North Carolina State University campus was transformed in 1973 into the M. E. Gardner Arboretum. Series contains photographs of the M. E. Gardner Arboretum dedication ceremony, news articles, dedication ceremony program, personal correspondence and memorabilia relating to the arboretum's opening.

    • Program and Articles, February, 1972 - July, 1973 [MC 167 Box 6, Folder10]
    • Photographs
      • Dedication and plaque [MC 167 Box 6, Folder11]
      • Dedication [MC 167 Box 6, Folder12]
      • Dedication [MC 167 Box 6, Folder13]
      • Dedication, proofsheets and negatives [MC 167 Box 6, Folder14]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Publications, 1910 - 1975


    1 archival box , 0.5 linear feet

    Series contains magazines and newsletters collected by Gardner over his career. The publications have a horticultural and academic focus. Material is dated from 1910-1975

    • 1910 - 1935 [MC 167 Box 7, Folder1]
    • 1939 - 1956 [MC 167 Box 7, Folder2]
    • 1957 - 1964 [MC 167 Box 7, Folder3]
    • 1965 - 1968 [MC 167 Box 7, Folder4]
    • 1969 - 1975 [MC 167 Box 7, Folder5]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]