This collection reflects the development, administration, and work of the College of Forest Resources and its educational, research, and extension programs in the fields of forestry, wood, pulp and paper science and technology, and parks, recreation, and tourism management from 1928 to 1986.

The unofficial beginning of a forestry curriculum at North Carolina State University began in 1917 when J.S. Homes was appointed the first Extension Forester.

In 1925, R.W. Graeber became an Extension Forester and provided strong leadership for the establishment of a formal forestry program. In 1929, the University formally established the Department of Forestry in the School of Agriculture. Dr. Julius V. Hofmann served as its first Director, starting early on to acquire land to create teaching and research forests. In 1931 the Department of Forestry was renamed the Division of Forestry, School of Agriculture and Forestry. Dr. J.V. Hofmann retired as Director of the Division in 1948 and was replaced by Richard J. Preston. During Preston's tenure, in 1950, the Division of Forestry was elevated to School status and named the School of Forestry.

In 1952 the School moved to new quarters in Kilgore Hall. The School underwent another name change in 1968 to the School of Forest Resources. The administration changed the name to better reflect the broadening of its programs, including the addition of the parks, recreation, and tourism management curriculum transferred from the School of Education.

In 1970 the School moved into the newly constructed forestry building Biltmore Hall, named after the nation's first school of forestry, the Biltmore Forest School. At the retirement of Dean Preston in 1971, Eric L. Ellwood, who was serving as head of the Department of Wood and Paper Science, became Dean, serving until 1989.

The College's name changed officially from College of Forest Resources to College of Natural Resources in 2000.