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. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
This doorknob was a part of the King Religious Center (YMCA Building) until its demolition in 1975. The building was named after E.S. (Edward Scull) King and served as an informal student center from its construction in 1913 until the College Union Building was opened in 1954. College of Design alumnus Joe Prefontaine acquired the doorknob during the building’s demolition.
The King Religious Center opened on campus in 1913 as the YMCA Building. The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) had a chapter on campus from 1889 to 1982 and used the building for Christian services, recreation, publishing, and speaking engagements. The building was renamed in 1959 after E.S. (Edward Scull) King, a YMCA secretary who worked for NCSU from 1919 to 1955, when he retired.
The Center also served as an informal student center until the College Union Building, the first official student union, was opened in 1954. The King Religious Center had a gym, pool, game room, and barbershop, along with Danforth Chapel, a space where many students got married.
The building was demolished in 1975 and replaced by Kamphoefner Hall. The University renamed McKimmon Village, a student housing complex, to E.S. King Village in 1976. College of Design alumnus Joe Prefontaine acquired the doorknob during the building’s demolition.
The King Religious Center (YMCA Building) Doorknob is a bronze color and adorned by a version of the YMCA logo that was first adopted in 1896. The logo has the words “spirit,” “mind,” and “body” on each side of a triangle surrounding an open Bible, which says “John 17:21.”
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], King Religious Center (YMCA Building) Doorknob, MSS 00499, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Gift of Joe Prefontaine, 2026 March (Accession 2026.0028).
Processed by: Ella Mayfield, 2026 March.
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. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
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[Identification of item], King Religious Center (YMCA Building) Doorknob, MSS 00499, 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.