J. C. Raulston Papers 1929-2008

Horticulturist James Chester Raulston (1940-1996) was a professor at North Carolina State University from 1975 to 1996. While at NC State University Raulston received several teaching and garden society awards. He also created the NC State University Arboretum, renamed the 'JC Raulston Arboretum' following his death.

James Chester Raulston (J. C. Raulston) was born in 1940 in Oklahoma. He would later be called the modern day Johnny Appleseed. His love of horticulture began early. He entered an undergraduate program at Oklahoma State University, where he majored in horticultural science. He received many academic awards and held several leadership roles in various societies and organizations, most of which related to horticulture. He went on to get a master’s degree at the University of Maryland in 1962. During his education at the University of Maryland, he was drafted into Vietnam and spent about a year and a half serving in the Army’s biological research and development center. Raulston returned to school in 1968 and earned his Master of Science degree and his Ph.D.

After college Raulston accepted a position at an ornamental horticultural experiment station in Bradenton, Florida. During his time in Florida, Raulston was able to go on several work-study trips to the American West, to Canada, and other, more exotic locations. Raulston had a passion for traveling, and developed a special appreciation for Asian plants. Following his position in Florida, Raulston worked on the faculty at Texas A&M University in 1974-1975.

In 1975, Raulston left Texas and joined the faculty at North Carolina State University, where he stayed for the remainder of his career. Always passionate about horticulture, especially rare, ornamental plants, Raulston cultivated relationships with nurserymen. He was an active member of many garden and horticultural societies. In the late 1970s, he organized the Lavandula Society (later renamed Lavandula and Labiatae Society), an informal network of gay and lesbian professionals in botany, horticulture, landscaping, and related fields.

Raulston received praise and awards for his teaching and his research. His awards include the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta Award of Merit, the National Council of State Garden Clubs Medal and Lifetime Membership, and the Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Community Appearance. One of Raulston’s greatest accomplishments was the creation of the NC State University Arboretum. He began working on the planning of the arboretum in 1979. The Arboretum was eventually named for J. C. Raulston, following his untimely death in December 1996.

The J. C. Raulston Papers consist of papers, objects, and photography documenting the life of J. C. Raulston, Ph.D. Papers relate to Raulston's teaching career, personal and collegial relationships, extensive travel, and the North Carolina State University Arboretum. Some objects come from an exhibit that was created at the NC State University Arboretum in honor of J. C. Raulston after his death in 1996. The collection contains family photos and information dating to before Raulston was born, and material from his memorials, condolences, and estate, after Raulston died. Also contained in the collection are newsletters and other materials from the Lavandula Society.

This collection is arranged into four series: 1. Professional Documents and Artifacts 2. Ruby McSwain Building J. C. Raulston Exhibit 3. Personal Papers and Artifacts 4. Travel Journals and Datebooks

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[Identification of item], J. C. Raulston Papers, MC 00578, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Bobby J. Ward Research Collection on J. C. Raulston (MC 00593)

Gift of Tracy Traer, 2015 (Accession Nos. 2015.0214, 2016.0149).

Processed by: Rachel Jacobson, 2016 February; addition processed and finding aid updated by Shima Hosseininasab, 2021 July.