James Madison University Libraries Special Collections
880 Madison DriveJulia Merkel
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[identification of item], [box #, folder #], West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company Logging Photographs, 1927-1931, SC 0130, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. 22807
Purchased from Green Valley Auctions, Inc. in March 2000.
In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in the spring of 2017. This collection was previously cataloged as SC 3037.
The West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company was incorporated in 1898 by William Luke and sons. Through the twentieth century it grew into a multinational wood products corporation and changed its name to Westvaco. At the end of the twentieth century it became MeadWestvaco.
Of the 36 black-and-white photographs in this collection, 25 carry identification on the back that specifies locations in North Carolina (Moravian Falls, Crutchfield, Sanford) and Virginia (Newcastle, Fort Union, Naruna, Rhoadesville, Gordonsville, Burkeville), dates the photos from 1927 to 1931, and explains the techniques of cutting, peeling, and axing out knots of poplar and pine trees for pulpwood that are demonstrated in the photos. In a few cases the comments on the back criticize poor practices, indicating that the photos may have been intended for training purposes. "West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company, Tyrone, PA" is stamped on some photos; on the return address of the envelope in which the photos were housed, however, "Tyrone" has been crossed out and "Covington, VA" written in. Nine photos show African American workers; two show very young workers.
The photographs are housed in one folder.