Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Austin Kennell Papers, Accession 10553-z, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Acquisition Information

These papers were given to the University of Virginia Library by Austin Kennell, Waynesboro, Virginia, on September 17, 1993.

Funding Note

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Scope and Content

This addition to the papers of the American Rhododendron Society , ca. 7,000 items (16 Hollinger boxes, 6 linear shelf feet), ca. 1952, and 1967-1993, consists of correspondence, topical files, committee files, memoranda, meeting minutes, activities files, and membership lists, all pertaining to the rhododendron interests and organizational involvement of Austin Kennell of Waynesboro, Virginia , as Director, President (1989-1991), and Vice-President of the American Rhododendron Society and President of the Middle Atlantic Chapter .

Kennell's personal correspondence (first series, boxes 1-4) includes files on several well-known rhododendron enthusiasts and nurseries (for a complete list of correspondents see the box listing on pages 3-5). The second series (boxes 5-12) contains files pertaining to his work with the national organization, the American Rhododendron Society , with the bulk of the files containing the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors; Conventions; correspondence with the executive secretary, Paula Cash , other officers, and the registrar; and a special subseries concerning the various committees of the organization.

The last series (boxes 13-16) is concerned with his involvement in the Middle Atlantic Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society , and includes correspondence with William F. Bedwell , Paul S. James , Sandra and Kenneth McDonald , Pete and Terry Sheuchenko , and Harry L. Wise ; and minutes for the meetings of the Chapter and its Board of Directors.

Austin Kennell was born in Cumberland, Maryland, on January 22, 1918, graduating from Cumberland High School in 1936. He served in the Navy 1943-1945 and 1951-1952, having married in 1940. Kennell held various industrial and governmental positions in Maryland and Washington, DC before moving to the Waynesboro area where he served as an executive with the Virginia Metalcrafters. Altogether Kennell worked for Virginia Metalcrafters for twenty-four years before retiring in 1984. Kennell has also operated a family mail-order business, Dandy Sales, Inc., selling parts for special lines of obsolete lawn mowers and garden tractors since 1973.

Austin Kennell was a member of the American Rhododendron Society Board of Directors for ten years and had served as eastern vice-president and senior vice-president prior to his election as president in 1989. He also served as the chairman who directed all activities for the first American Rhododendron Society convention held in Virginia at Williamsburg in 1988.