F. Carter Williams Drawings and Files 1928, 1940-1998

Fred Carter Williams (1912-2000) was a Raleigh, North Carolina architect who designed more than 600 projects throughout the state. Projects include the North Carolina Archives Library, renovation of the North Carolina Governor's Mansion, the city hall complex, and his office on Hillsborough Street, all in Raleigh, and buildings at East Carolina University. He worked with George Matsumoto on the 1954-1955 addition to North Carolina State University's Brooks Hall. He also taught architecture at North Carolina State College from 1939 to 1941. The American Institute of Architects-North Carolina Chapter has honored Williams by establishing the F. Carter Williams Gold Medal to recognize distinguished careers and extraordinary accomplishments of individual architects.

Williams was born in Churchland, North Carolina, on 13 June 1912 and died at his home in Raleigh, North Carolina, on 23 April 2000. Williams was the son of son of Arthur Robinson Williams and Annie Carter Williams. He graduated from Greensboro High School, then from North Carolina State College (later North Carolina State University) in 1935 with a degree in Architectural Engineering and from the University of Illinois in 1939 with a degree in Architectural Design. He completed post-graduate work at Columbia University in 1944-1945.

Williams began his practice of architecture in Raleigh in 1946. Before his retirement in 1991, Williams was a partner in the firm with Macon S. Smith, FAIA; Turner G. Williams, FAIA, until his death in 1981; Gene W. Jones, AIA; and Mark R. Dickey, AIA. With engineering and contractor associates, the firm completed more than 600 commissions for public educational, health, religious, and residential projects. Carter Williams received the Edward G. Kemper Award, presented by the American Institute of Architecture in 1975. This award is given annually by the Institute to one AIA member who has rendered distinguished service and has made the most significant contribution to the profession.

Throughout his life, Mr. Williams was very active in professional organizations and public service. He served on the board of directors of Raleigh Savings and Loan and on the board of trustees of Campbell College. Mr. Williams was a member of White Memorial Presbyterian Church, Carolina Country Club, Sphinx Club, Rotary Club International, Raleigh City Club, and Country Club of North Carolina.

Williams was survived by his wife of 63 years, Alice Virginia Poe Williams; daughters, Carol Williams Bilbro and husband, Dr. Robert H. Bilbro of Raleigh, June Williams Brine and husband, Lewis R. Brine Jr. of Coral Gables, Fla.; grandchildren, Dr. Scott Carter Bilbro and his wife, Leslie M. Bilbro of Cary, Kathryn Gray Bilbro of Raleigh, and Jocelyn Brine Spelker of Madison, N.J.; and many nieces and nephews, including Bruce G. Sanders and Arthur R. Williams III. He was predeceased by his sister, Ellen Williams Sanders and his brother, Arthur R. Williams Jr., both of Greensboro.

The F. Carter Williams Drawings and Files, 1928, 1940-1994, contain drawings and project files for many buildings designed by F. Carter Williams and his firm. Included are blueprints for the Mr. and Mrs. Guy H. Branaman residence in Raleigh, North Carolina, blueprints for the F. Carter Williams residence, as well as blueprints of other residential projects, churches, and schools. Also included are drawings and blueprints for projects at North Carolina universities, including Duke, North Carolina State, East Carolina, and Meredith.

Collection is arranged in three series: Drawings, Project Files and Related Material, and Slides.

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[Identification of item], F. Carter Williams Drawings and Files, MC 00436, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Gift of Triangle Modernist Houses Archives and Beverly Branaman, 2011 (Accession no. 2011.0272); James Clark, 2014 (Accession no. 2014.0012); and Mark Dickey (Accession no. 2018.0115).

Processed by: Todd Kosmerick, 2011 December; Finding aid written by: Todd Kosmerick, 2011 December. Finding aid updated by Gwynn Thayer, 2014; updated by Taylor de Klerk and Linda Sellars, 2018; addition processed by Isabel Bossing, 2022 August; additional processing by Emma Esser, 2026 June; Collection guide updated by Cathy Dorin-Black, 2026 June

This collection was processed with support from the Council on Library and Information Resources Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives program.