Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Copies of digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.
The Murray Whisnant Papers contains correspondence, project files, slides and architectural drawings, as well as other records related to Murray Whisnant’s architectural projects and other designs dating from 1959 to 2017. Many of the projects Whisnant consulted on and designed were located in Charlotte, North Carolina. There are also sketches and plans of projects that were never completed.
William Murray Whisnant was born and grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, and graduated from Central High in 1950. He then attended North Carolina State University and studied within the School of Design for six years, where he was influenced by faculty member Eduardo Fernando Catalano and visiting architect Buckminster Fuller, as well as Dean Henry L. Kamphoefner. Upon graduation in 1956 Whisnant returned to Charlotte and joined the architectural firm of Sloan and Wheatley. In 1960, he became partner to Charles Wheatley. In 1974, Whisnant left to establish his own firm, Murray Whisnant Architects. In 1990 Murray Whisnant was awarded the Kamphoefner Prize by the AIA (American Institute of Architects) North Carolina chapter and the North Carolina Architectural Foundation. Murray Whisnant was active in the Charlotte community and even late in his life advocated for municipal projects, such as “Energy Park”, to enhance the lived spaces in the city where he was raised.
William Murray Whisnant was born and grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, and graduated from Central High in 1950. He then attended North Carolina State University and studied within the School of Design for six years, where he was influenced by faculty member Eduardo Fernando Catalano and visiting architect Buckminster Fuller, as well as dean Henry L. Kamphoefner. Upon graduation in 1956 Whisnant returned to Charlotte and joined the architectural firm of Sloan and Wheatley. In 1960, he became partner to Charles Wheatley. In 1974, Whisnant left to establish his own firm, Murray Whisnant Architects. In 1990, Murray Whisnant was awarded the Kamphoefner Prize by the AIA (American Institute of Architects) North Carolina chapter and the North Carolina Architectural Foundation. Murray Whisnant was active in the Charlotte community and even late in his life advocated for municipal projects, such as “Energy Park”, to enhance the lived spaces in the city where he was raised.
The Murray Whisnant Papers contains correspondence, project files, slides and architectural drawings, as well as other records related to Murray Whisnant’s architectural projects and other designs dating from 1959 to 2017. Many of the projects Whisnant consulted on and designed were located in Charlotte, North Carolina. There are also sketches and plans of projects that were never completed.
This collection is organized into three series: Project Files and Professional Papers, Slides, and Architectual Drawings.
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.
[Identification of item], Murray Whisnant Papers, MC 00564, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Gift of Murray Whisnant, 2015-2017 (Accession nos. 2015.0145, 2017.0173); Gift of Kathleen Posey, 2026 January (Accession 2026.0053).
Processed by: Jessica Serrao, August 2015; machine-readable finding aid by: Jessica Serrao, August 2015. Additional processing and updated finding aid by: Bennett Chapman, April 2018; Collection guide updated to include additions to the collection by: Emily Cunningham, 2026 June.
The collection is organized into three principal series:
This is the largest series and contains most of Murray Whisnant’s documentation related to his various projects, correspondence, plans for commercial and residential projects as well as many projects that never came to fruition. It also contains several designs for pieces of furniture, as well as awards Whisnant received. There are also several folders with information about various houses Murray Whisnant lived in over the course of his life.
The series is arranged in alphabetical order.
Included are PDF files.
Pending staff review and approval, access to digital copies will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access to some material is restricted.
File transferred to Libraries electronically.
These slides provide visual context for projects, and are reproductions of photographs, architectural drawings, or other images. Some slides were developed to show what a site looked like before construction had begun. Some slides seem to have been developed for presentations to clients, while others likely served a more utilitarian purpose.
The series is arranged in alphabetical order.
This series contains large format drawings and reproductions. Many of these drawings represent projects that correspond directly with folders within the Project Files and Professional Papers series. Murray Whisnant designed many residences, however he also worked on large commercial spaces, as well as restaurants, churches and condominiums.
The series is arranged in alphabetical order.
2035 Randolph Road; 2039 Randolp Road
2035 Randolp Road; 2039 Randolp Road
2035 Randolph Road
Access to physical material and digital files not available online may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room after staff review.
Some materials may not have been digitized or made available online.
Taped with miscellaneous drawings and sketches; taped alongside an address and contact: 1949 Abbot Street, Charlotte; Gennet Lumber of Lyman Street, Asheville.
1251 East Boulevard
2022 Peppercorn Lane
2022 Peppercorn Lane
2026 Peppercorn Lane
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Copies of digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.
For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.
Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111
Phone: (919) 515-2273
[Identification of item], Murray Whisnant Papers, MC 00564, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.