Elizabeth (Beth) Gilbert Crabtree Papers
(Archival Materials)

Archival Materials

69.46 Linear Feet (94 Hollinger Legal boxes; 35 Index Card boxes; 1 flat box; 4 flat boxes; 2 flat boxes; 1 flat box; 1 flat box)

Unknown

The Elizabeth (Beth) Gilbert Crabtree Papers range in date from 1757-1989, with the bulk of the materials ranging from 1960-1980. Original order has been maintained as much as possible. In cases where original order was not discernable, as with the index and notecards series, materials were arranged by subject and in keeping with the organization of the rest of the collection.

The Collection is organized into nine (9) series as follows: 1) Architectural Plans 2. Original Materials 4. Photographic Materials 5. Personal Materials 6. Printed Materials 7. Publications 8. Research Projects/ Professional and Volunteer Organizations 9. Research Materials

Architectural Plans consists of blueprints and plans of various historical buildings. Prominently featured is the Badger-Iredell Law firm building. The architectural plans are undated.

Original Materials consists of various manuscripts and other materials collected by Crabtree. The materials range in date from 1957-1976, though the bulk of the materials are from 1850-1900. The series features the bill of sale of an Enslaved Person, Dafne.

Maps consist of collected maps primarily of the City of Raleigh, Wake County, and and North Carolina. The majority of materials are photocopies, although there are few original materials. The materials range in dates from 1797-1942. Some of the maps are rolled tightly, and are difficult to view. A number of maps have been encapulated for preservation purposes and are located in the map drawer.

Personal materials exists of compiled papers unrelated to Crabtree's reserach projects and professional work. The series is organized by material and spans the years 1868-1989.

Photographic Materials consists of photographs and slide negatives of Raleigh buildings and landmarks both taken and collected by Crabtree. The series is organized by building name. Many of the buildings featured no longer exists. Some materioals in this series are expiriening acetate film base deterioration , i.e. vinegar syndrom. Researchers should wear nitrile gloves when examining these materials,and wash before examinging other materials, as this condiition can be spread between materials.

Printed Materials consists of various pamphlets, magazines, postcards, reproductions, and other materials pertaining to Raleigh and North Carolina. The series is organized by material type. The series contains photocopies. Some materials are original, such as magazines, pamphlets, and postcards. Posstracrds contains a large section of Raleigh postcards, many dating to the early 20th century. The series also contains excerpts from the Raleigh Times as well as Crabtree's column, "Looking Back," stories and people from Raleigh's past which appeared in The Raleigh Times from about 1966 to 1985.

Publications consists of collected published materials relationg to Raleigh, Wake County, and North Carolina. The series is arranged by subject. The series consists mainy of original materials, with some photocopies.

Research Projects/ Professional Organizations series consists of materials relating to the various projects and organizations Beth took part in. The series has been arranged by project.

Research Materials consists of the collected research and notes of Crabtree. The series consists of two series, index and notecards and subject files. Subjects mostly pertain to Raleigh, Wake County, and neighboring areas. The Index and Notecard series is made of entirely original materials, and consits of indexes of various primary sources. Sources of every index are not given. Subject files consists of mainly photocopies, but some original materials are present.

Transferred from North Carolina State University Archives in 1996

Elizabeth (Beth) Gilbert Crabtree (1916-1990) was born on May 15, 1916, to Gilbert Crabtree, Raleigh-based pharmacist and owner of the Wake Drug Store and Tucker Building Pharmacy, and Ethel Powell, daughter of Raleigh Mayor Alexander M. Powell. Graduating from Needham B. Broughton High School 1933, Crabtree attended both Peace College and Meredith College, earning her bachelors degree from Meredith in 1936. Crabtree went on to receive a masters of European History from the University of North Carolina in 1941.

Beth worked for the North Carolina Department of Archives and History (now Office of Archives and History in the Department of Cultural Resources) for 32 years, at first as head of the Search Room, and then as an editorial assistant for the publications department. In her role, Crabtree added greatly to the scholarship of North Carolina History with her additions to many publications. She wrote two editions of "North Carolina Governors" for the department, and compiled the "Guide to Private Collections in the North Carolina State Archives"

In 1921, the Department of Archives and History acquired the Diary of Catherine Devereaux Edmonston, the wife of a Halifax Plantation owner. The department obtained rights to the publication of the diary in 1959. For more than three decades, Beth worked on the journal, transcribing, and editing it for publication. By the time it was printed in 1979, she had dedicated half of her career to the manuscript and become an expert on Edmonton family history. "I felt like I knew Mrs. Edmonston better than I knew myself" (The News and Observer 28 Feb 1979) The diary was a success for the Department of Archives and History and went into second printing.

Crabtree dedicated her life to the preservation of her native citys history, working on many projects and committees involved with protecting Raleighs historical architecture and heritage. She was a member of the Wake County Historical Society, and founding member of the Wake County Preservation Commission, In 1974, Crabtree was elected by president of the Wake County Historical Society, Richard L. Rice, to serve as head of a committee focused on preserving City Cemetery. Crabtree purchased the Badger-Iredell Law firm building in 1965 and moved it to a lot across from Midway Plantation. Crabtree donated the building to the North Carolina Bar Association in 1973, who then moved the building to its current location in Mordecai.

In 1965, Mrs. Janelle Moore, wife of Governor Dan K. Moore, established the Executive Mansion Fine Arts Committee. The goal of the committee was to advise the Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources on the preservation and maintenance of the Executive Mansion located at 200 North Blount Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, to encourage donations for furnishing the Executive Mansion, and to serve as consultants for renovation of the Executive Mansion. Beth was appointed by the committee as a researcher. In addition to her research duties, she was tasked with and produced a pamphlet chronicling the history of the Executive Mansion.

Spurred on by her love of history, Beth also had a passion for antiques and travel. Beth retired from her position at the Department of Archives and History in 1976 and spent her remaining years dedicating her time to her volunteer organizations, and writing a manuscript of the history of Raleigh. In 1978, Crabtree was presented the Peace College Distinguished Alumnae Award. After a long illness, Beth Crabtree died of cancer on 26 Jun 1990 at 74 years of age. She is buried in Oakwood Cemetery.

Finding Aid Availible at the Olivia Raney Local History Library

Olivia Raney Local History Library ArchivesSpace digital finding aid available at: https://libraryarchives.wakegov.com/repositories/2/resources/101

Archival Materials

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