Guide to the Wilbur Fisk Massey Papers, 1857 - 2000

Collection Number MC 202

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Collection Information
Abstract:

This collection is chiefly made up of materials collected by James R. Troyer in preparation for the composition of a biographical article on Wilbur Fisk Massey. Massey had a varied career, working as a horticulturist, professor, and an agricultural journalist. He taught at a wide variety of universities and schools. He spent 1889-1901 teaching at North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (later North Carolina State University), while also holding the position of horticulturist of the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station. Massey left North Carolina to explore agricultural journalism, acting as editor for the Practical Farmer and going on to hold positions at several other publications. The personal material includes information of a biographical nature, including Troyer's article on Massey. The professional series primarily focuses on Massey's work at the North Carolina Experiment Station, but also includes information on his teaching experience at North Carolina State College and his work in agricultural journalism. The photographs series includes portraits of Massey from about 1880.

Contact Information:
Processed by
Jaime L. Margalotti
Date Completed
September, 2003
Encoded by
Jaime L. Margalotti

Descriptive Summary

Creator

Massey, W. F. (Wilbur Fisk), 1839-1923.

Title

Wilbur Fisk Massey Papers, 1857 - 2000

Call Number

MC 202

Extent

1 archival storage box, .5 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 J. R. Troyer.
Provenance

Unknown
Preferred Citation

[Identification of Item], Wilbur Fisk Massey Papers, MC 202, 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


Wilbur Fisk Massey was a horticulturist, educator and agricultural journalist. He was born in Onancock, Virginia, in 1839. He attended Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, and Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He went west in the late 1850s to work on railroads and upon his return to Virginia, he served in the Civil War. After the war, Massey became an administrator in the Kent County, Maryland school system and developed a nursery and florist business. In 1884, he went to the Miller School near Charlottesville, Virginia as a professor of horticulture. He joined the first faculty of North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (later North Carolina State University), 1889-1901, and served as the horticulturist of the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station. Massey left North Carolina to become an editor for the Practical Farmer, published in Philadelphia. He continued his career in agricultural journalism with publications such as: the Southern Planter, Southern Farm Gazette, Market Grower's Journal, Southern Agriculturalist, and the Progressive Farmer.

Scope and Content Note


This collection is chiefly made up of materials collected by James R. Troyer in preparation for the composition of a biographical article on Wilbur Fisk Massey. Massey had a varied career, working as a horticulturist, professor, and an agricultural journalist. He taught at a wide variety of universities and schools. He spent 1889-1901 teaching at North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (later North Carolina State University), while also holding the position of horticulturist of the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station. Massey left North Carolina to explore agricultural journalism, acting as editor for the Practical Farmer and going on to hold positions at several other publications.

The Wilbur Fisk Massey Papers is divided into three series, Personal Papers, Professional Papers, and Photographs. The personal series includes information of a biographical nature, including Troyer's article on Massey. The professional series primarily focuses on Massey's work at the North Carolina Experiment Station, but also includes information on his teaching experience at North Carolina State College and his work in agricultural journalism. The photographs series includes portraits of Massey from about 1880. The material is not necessarily original, but it made up of research done by James R. Troyer in the production of his article on Massey.

Organization of Collection


This collection is divided into three series: Personal, Professional, and Photographs. Materials in each series are arranged chronologically within each folder.

Online Catalog Headings

Individuals

  • Massey, W. F. (Wilbur Fisk), 1839-1923.
  • Troyer, James R.

Corporate Entities

  • North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station.
  • North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts--Faculty.
  • North Carolina State University--Faculty--History.

Topics

  • Horticulture -- North Carolina.
  • Journalism, Agricultural.

Related Material

MC 335 North Carolina Botanists
MC 107 Larry Alston Whitford
UA 100.12 Department of Botany Collection

Detailed Description of the Collection


  • Series 1:Personal Papers, 1857 - 2000


    .5 Archival Box , .25 linear feet

    The Personal series is made up of biographical information. It includes Troyer's article on Massey, miscellaneous research on Massey's life, information on colleges Massey attended, and honors he received.

    • "Wilbur Fisk Massey (1839-1923): North Carolina Botanist, Horticulturist, and Agriculturist,"2000 [MC 202 Box 1, Folder1]
    • Biographical Information, 1889 - 1978 [MC 202 Box 1, Folder2]
    • Colleges Attended, 1857 - 1979 [MC 202 Box 1, Folder3]
    • Honors, 1919 - 1999 [MC 202 Box 1, Folder4]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]


  • Series 2:Professional Papers, 1889 - 1987


    .5 Archival Box , .25 linear feet

    The Professional series is made up of information concerning Massey's work and research at the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, his time teaching at North Carolina State College, publications he produced either for or outside the scope of the Experiment Station, and his career as an agricultural journalist.

    • North Carolina Experiment Station, 1889 - 1987
      • General, 1891 - 1905 [MC 202 Box 1, Folder5]
      • Farmers Institute, 1900 - 1928 [MC 202 Box 1, Folder6]
      • Pest Control, 1889 - 1900 [Online Content]

        		[MC 202 Box 1, Folder7]
      • Southern Pines, circa 1923 - 1987 [MC 202 Box 1, Folder8]
      • Waldensians, circa 1982 [MC 202 Box 1, Folder9]
    • Teaching, 1890 - 1972
      • North Carolina State College, 1890 - 1972 [MC 202 Box 1, Folder10]
      • Shaw University, 1958 - 1966 [MC 202 Box 1, Folder11]
    • Publications, 1900 - 1979
      • Agricultural Journalism, 1905 - 1979 [MC 202 Box 1, Folder12]
      • Non-Station Publications, 1900 - 1901 [MC 202 Box 1, Folder13]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]


  • Series 3:Photographs, circa 1880


    1 folder , .02 linear feet

    The Photographs series is a very small series of one folder containing portraits of Massey dating from 1880.

    • Portraits, circa 1880 [MC 202 Box 1, Folder14]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]