L. R. Harrill Papers 1888-1988

Summary
Contents
Names/subjects
Using these materials
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Creator
Harrill, L. R. (Lera Rhinehart), 1897-1978
Size
7.25 linear feet (10 boxes, 1 legal box, 1 oversize flat box)
Call number
MC 00017

The L. R. Harrill Papers contain writings, speeches, journals, personal correspondence, newspaper clippings, photographs, certificates of merit and appreciation, agricultural publications, and mementoes that are associated with Harrill's student days at North Carolina State College and his long tenure, 1926-1963, as the director of North Carolina's statewide 4-H program, the largest in the nation. The material provides insight into Harrill's personal life and documents his involvement with the 4-H movement on a local, national, and international level, including the International Farm Youth Exchange. Represented are letters Harrill wrote as a student at North Carolina State College to his mother and father from 1918 to 1922.

L. R. (Lera Rhinehart) Harrill (1897-1978) was director of North Carolina's statewide 4-H program from 1926 until 1963.

Biographical/historical note

Known throughout the state of North Carolina as Mr. 4-H, L. R. (Lera Rhinehart) Harrill was born in Cleveland County, North Carolina on November 10, 1897. Harrill attended grammar school and high school in Lattimore, North Carolina and went on to earn a B.S. and an M.S. in Agriculture from the North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering (later North Carolina State University). After graduating from North Carolina State College in 1922, Harrill worked briefly for the United States Department of Agriculture before becoming the County 4-H Club agent for Buncombe County, North Carolina. At that time, 4-H Clubs for farm youth were just beginning to be established as outreach and development programs sponsored by the county extension services that were affiliated with land grant colleges throughout the nation. In 1926 Harrill became the North Carolina State 4-H Club Leader. He held that position until 1963. In 1931, Harrill married Laura Weatherspoon of Raleigh. The couple had two children, James and Julia Anne.

In 1949 Harrill was selected to work with the United States military government that was responsible for the administration of the European theatre after World War II. Under the Marshall Plan of postwar reconstruction, Harrill helped to organize 4-H Clubs among the rural youth of Austria.

Harrill was a deacon at the First Baptist Church of Raleigh and served as the President of the Raleigh Rotary Club in 1957 and 1958. He was also a Master Mason and a member of numerous honorary societies and professional organizations including, Alpha Zeta Agricultural Fraternity, Epsilon Sigma Phi, the National Recreation Association, the National Camping Association, the National Farm Bureau, the National Grange and the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.

In 1950, State magazine named Harrill their North Carolina Man of the Year. In 1957, the Progressive Farmer also chose L. R. Harrill to represent their publication as the North Carolina Man of the Year. Harrill received a Superior Service Award from the United States Department of Agriculture in 1955 and in 1963 a joint resolution was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly recognizing his outstanding service to the state's youth through his leadership in the 4-H movement. After his retirement in 1963, he wrote two books, Images of 4-H and Memories of 4-H. In 1975, the Youth Center at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds was designated the L. R. Harrill Center in his honor. In March of 1978, North Carolina State University recognized L. R. Harrill with the institution's highest non-academic award, the Watauga Medal.

During Harrill's tenure as North Carolina's State 4-H Leader, the organization's annual membership increased from 20,000 to 160,000, the largest 4-H enrollment of any state in the nation. L. R. Harrill provided leadership to over three million young people during his time of service with North Carolina State 4-H. Throughout his career, he stressed the citizenship and character building aspects of 4-H, as well as promoting the development of the specific skills that could be gained from 4-H projects and demonstrations. He would often say to his staff, "It's a great thing to produce a grand champion 4-H steer, but unless you do something at the same time to produce a grand champion boy or girl, you have failed in your greatest responsibility."

L. R. Harrill died on April 18, 1978 at the age of eighty.

Scope/content

The L. R. Harrill Papers contain writings, speeches, journals, personal correspondence, newspaper clippings, photographs, certificates of merit and appreciation, agricultural publications, and mementoes that are associated with Harrill's student days at North Carolina State College and his long tenure, 1926-1963, as the director of North Carolina's statewide 4-H program, the largest in the nation. The material provides insight into Harrill's personal life and documents his involvement with the 4-H movement on a local, national, and international level, including the International Farm Youth Exchange. Represented are letters Harrill wrote as a student at North Carolina State College to his mother and father from 1918 to 1922. Letters written between Harrill and his wife, Laura, from 1930 to 1949 reveal aspects of their relationship.

Arrangement

This collection is organized into two series, Personal and Professional.

Use of these materials

The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], L. R. Harrill Papers, MC 00017, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Related material

Source of acquisition

Donated by L. R. Harrill, 1966 (Accession no. 1966-0001) and Mrs. L. R. Harrill, Raleigh, North Carolina, 1978-1986 (Accession nos. 1978.0001, 1978.0002, 980.0002, 1981.0001, 1986.0001).

Processing information

Processed by: Michael Watts; machine-readable finding aid created by: Michael Watts, 2003.

Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.

The collection is organized into two principal series:

Personal 1918-1988 (MC 00017 Series 1)
Size: 2.5 linear feet (5 boxes)

This series contains educational material, personal correspondence dating from 1918 to 1988, certificates of accommodation and awards, notes and inspirational items, and newspaper articles that were collected by L. R. Harrill. Additionally, there is material from educational, civic, and fraternal organizations that Harrill was involved with, as well as material documenting L. R. Harrill's participation in the affairs of the First Baptist Church of Raleigh, North Carolina. Series also includes a collection of photographs, papers related to Harrill's retirement from his position as leader of the North Carolina 4-H Program, along with biographical sketches, business papers and house plans belonging to L. R. Harrill.

Education (MC 00017 Subseries 1.01)
Mementos and Gradesheets
Box 1, Folder 1
Effects of Nitrate of Soda on the Germinating Qualities of Seed Potatoes
Box 1, Folder 2
Effects of Nitrate of Soda on the Germinating Qualities of Seed Potatoes (photographs)
Box 1, Folder 3
Scrapbook, North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering 1918-1922
Flat box 11, Folder 1
Correspondence 1918-1988 (MC 00017 Subseries 1.02)
Correspondence 1922-1939
Box 1, Folder 4
Correspondence 1941-1949
Box 1, Folder 5
Correspondence 1950-1959
Box 1, Folder 6
Correspondence 1960-1967
Box 1, Folder 7
Correspondence 1971-1988
Box 1, Folder 8
Correspondence, undated
Box 1, Folder 9
Correspondence
Box 12, Folder 1
Correspondence
Box 12, Folder 2
Correspondence
Box 12, Folder 3
Correspondence
Box 12, Folder 4
Correspondence
Box 12, Folder 5
Correspondence
Box 12, Folder 6
Letters from Wife (Laura) 1930-1949
Box 1, Folder 10
Letters from Servicemen, World War II
Box 1, Folder 11
Letters from Son (Jim)
Box 1, Folder 12
Letters from 4-H Club Members
Box 1, Folder 13
Letters of Appreciation
Box 12, Folder 7
Retirement Letters
Box 1, Folder 14
Postcards and Greeting Cards
Box 2, Folder 1
Awards and Certificates of Appreciation (MC 00017 Subseries 1.03)

During his career as the North Carolina State 4-H Club Leader, L. R. Harrill received numerous awards and accommodations. Contains a collection of certificates of merit that were awarded to Harrill. In 1950, State Magazine named L. R. Harrill, Man of the Year. Progressive Farmer repeated that honor in 1957. Includes copies of those publications and congratulatory letters received by Harrill. Also contains a collection of news articles acknowledging the Progressive Farmer Man of the Year Award. Additionally there is a bound certificate from the North Carolina State Development Fund and a scroll honoring Harrill titled, 4-H Personified. Included also is a copy of the Joint Resolution that was passed by the North Carolina State Legislature honoring Harrill for his work in 4-H.

Certificates of Appreciation (1 of 3)
Box 2, Folder 2
Certificates of Appreciation (2 of 3)
Box 2, Folder 3
Certificates of Appreciation (3 of 3)
Box 2, Folder 4
Man of the Year Letters, State Magazine
Box 2, Folder 5
Man of the Year Letters, Progressive Farmer
Box 2, Folder 6
News Articles, Progressive Farmer
Box 5, Folder 7
Bound Certificate, North Carolina State Development Fund
Box 5, Folder 8
Scroll,"4-H Personified"
Box 5, Folder 9
Other Awards and Certificates 1956-1973
Flat box 11, Folder 2
Charter, National Farmers Alliance and Co-operative Union of America, Beaver Dam Alliance No. 906 in the State of North Carolina 1888
Flat box 11, Folder 3
Notes and Inspirational Material (MC 00017 Subseries 1.04)

Throughout his life L. R. Harrill collected inspirational material in the form of religious pamphlets and human-interest articles. He also jotted notes as a reminder of significant events. Contains notes, obituaries, inspirational material and jokes.

Bound Volume Inspirational Material
Box 3, Folder 1
Notes
Box 3, Folder 2
Notes and Obituaries
Box 3, Folder 3
Inspirational Material (1 of 2)
Box 3, Folder 4
Inspirational Material (2 of 2)
Box 3, Folder 5
Jokes
Box 3, Folder 6
Miscellaneous
Box 12, Folder 9
Newspaper Articles (MC 00017 Subseries 1.05)

Contains newspaper articles collected by Harrill that documented his work and achievement as the North Carolina State 4-H Club Leader. Also contains news articles that chronicle Harrill's work with regional civic organizations and the social activities of the Harrill family in the Raleigh area.

Newspaper Articles
Box 3, Folder 7
Newspaper Articles: Wedding Announcements and Society Pages
Box 3, Folder 8
Educational, Civic and Fraternal Organizations (MC 00017 Subseries 1.06)

Harrill participated in numerous organizations. He was elected Secretary of the North Carolina State Agricultural and Mechanical College Graduating Class of 1922 and worked actively with the North Carolina State College Alumni Association for over fifty years. Contains material related to his role as class secretary and class alumni meeting coordinator. Additionally there is material documenting Harrill's involvement with the honorary agricultural extension fraternity, Epsilon Sigma Phi. Also contains material from the Wake County Rotary Club. Harrill was the Rotary Club President in 1957 and 1958. Included is a copy of Harrill's Square and Compass card, certifying his membership in the Intercollegiate Fraternity of Master Masons.

Class of 1922 (1 of 3)
Box 3, Folder 9
Class of 1922 (2 of 3)
Box 3, Folder 10
Class of 1922 (3 of 3)
Box 3, Folder 11
Class of 1922, Twenty-five Year Reunion 1947
Box 3, Folder 12
Epsilon Sigma Phi
Box 3, Folder 13
Rotary Club
Box 3, Folder 14
Square and Compass
Box 3, Folder 15
First Baptist Church, Raleigh, North Carolina (MC 00017 Subseries 1.07)

L. R. Harrill was a Deacon at the First Baptist Church of Raleigh. He served as a church administrator, took an active part in weekly Sunday service, promoted fund raising efforts, taught Sunday School, helped plan additions to the structure and was on hand when the mortgage for the church building was symbolically burned to signify that the congregation was free from debt. Material documents involvement in church affairs.

First Baptist Church oversized material
Legal box 10, Folder 2
Growth of New Testament: State College Bible Class, oversized
Legal box 10, Folder 3
Photographs (MC 00017 Subseries 1.08)

Contains photographs collected by L. R. Harrill. The collection includes photos of Harrill as a boy, as a college student and as a young man. Additionally there are photographs of Harrill participating in 4-H activities and civic functions, photographs of associates and public figures as well as pictures that document his personal life. The images cover a time period ranging from 1897 into the 1970s.

Photographs 1897-1925
Box 4, Folder 1
Photographs, undated
Box 4, Folder 2
Photographs, undated
Box 4, Folder 3
Photographs and Negatives, undated
Box 4, Folder 4
Portrait of L. R. Harrill from Clyde R. Hoey undated
Flat box 11, Folder 4
Retirement 1963 (MC 00017 Subseries 1.09)

Contains announcements and articles acknowledging Harrill's retirement in 1963.

Retirement
Box 4, Folder 5
Biographical Sketches, Business Papers, House Plans (MC 00017 Subseries 1.10)

Contains biographical sketches that Harrill updated throughout his life. Additionally there is a collection of miscellaneous business papers and designs and drawings for the construction of a house.

Biographical Information
Box 4, Folder 6
Real Estate and Insurance Information
Box 4, Folder 7
Investment, Tax Receipts, Pension Information
Box 4, Folder 8
House Plans
Box 4, Folder 9
Professional 1922-1967 (MC 00017 Series 2)
Size: 2.5 linear feet (5 boxes)

This series is made up of material that was generated and used by L. R. Harrill during his career as the North Carolina State 4-H Leader. Series contains professional journals, speeches and articles, radio program transcripts, book manuscripts, and other writings by L. R. Harrill. There is also material documenting Harrill's mission to Austria, in 1949 as a representative of the United States government under the Marshall Plan. Additionally there are Cooperative Extension and 4-H pamphlets and periodicals, and material on the International Farm Youth Exchange. Series also contains an assortment of magazines, periodicals and promotional literature from the agricultural industry.

Journals 1926-1927 (MC 00017 Subseries 2.01)

Journals written by Harrill from 1926-1927 as he began his career with the North Carolina State 4-H Club as the State 4-H Club Leader.

Journal 1926-1927
Box 5, Folder 1
Speeches and Articles 1922-1967 (MC 00017 Subseries 2.02)

Speeches and articles by L. R. Harrill. Harrill spoke and wrote extensively during his career as the North Carolina State 4-H Club Leader. Material used in speeches given to 4-H groups and civic organizations was often included in articles that were written for publications that were issued by the State 4-H Club, the agricultural Cooperative Extension, regional newspapers and national agricultural publications. The manuscripts contained are arranged chronologically except for material that was not dated but arranged according to subject by Harrill.

Speeches and Articles 1922-1937
Box 5, Folder 2
Speeches and Articles 1937-1943
Box 5, Folder 3
Speeches and Articles 1938-1942
Box 5, Folder 4
Speeches and Articles 1942-1949
Box 5, Folder 5
Speeches and Articles 1950-1967
Box 5, Folder 6
Speeches and Articles, undated (1 of 3)
Box 5, Folder 7
Speeches and Articles, undated (2 of 3)
Box 5, Folder 8
Speeches and Articles, undated (3 of 3)
Box 5, Folder 9
4-H Golden Anniversary Broadcasts 1959
Pages 1-26
Box 6, Folder 5
Pages 27-62
Box 6, Folder 6
Pages 63-93
Box 6, Folder 7
Pages 94-116
Box 6, Folder 8
Pages 117-134
Box 6, Folder 9
Pages 135-163
Box 6, Folder 10
Pages 164-196
Box 6, Folder 11
Pages 197-226
Box 6, Folder 12
Pages 227-251
Box 6, Folder 13
Pages 252-287
Box 6, Folder 14
Speeches and Notes, undated
Box 5, Folder 10
4-H History: North Carolina and General- Material for Talks
Box 6, Folder 1
Material for 4-H Speeches
Box 6, Folder 2
Radio Programs 1950-1959 (MC 17 Subseries 2.03)

Transcripts of 4-H Club broadcasts Harrill did in the 1950s for regional radion stations.

Speeches, Articles and Radio Broadcasts
Box 6, Folder 3
Radio Programs 1953
Box 6, Folder 4
Writings (MC 00017 Subseries 2.04)

In addition to writing articles and speeches, L. R. Harrill authored two books, Memories of 4-H and Images of 4-H. Contains the manuscripts that those two publications were derived from. The series also contains a collection of untitled material written by Harrill dated 1945-1960. Included are manuscripts under the headings of general 4-H history, 4-H history by county, and a manuscript titled, Fifty Years of 4-H / Silver Threads Among the Green. Series also contains partial book and chapter manuscripts and congratulatory letters that Harrill received after Images of 4-H was printed in 1966.

Memories of 4-H: First Draft
Box 7, Folder 1
Memories of 4-H Manuscript
Box 7, Folder 2
Manuscripts 1945-1960
Box 7, Folder 3
North Carolina 4-H Histories (1 of 2)
Box 7, Folder 4
North Carolina 4-H Histories (2 of 2)
Box 7, Folder 5
4-H Historical and County Information
Box 7, Folder 6
4-H History Manuscript
Box 7, Folder 7
Fifty Years of 4-H/Silver Threads Among the Green
Box 7, Folder 8
Partial Manuscript: Milestones in 4-H
Box 7, Folder 9
4-H Club Camp Story
Box 8, Folder 1
Correspondence: Images of 4-H 1966-1967
Box 8, Folder 2
Images of 4-H
Box 12, Folder 8
Mission to Austria (MC 00017 Subseries 2.05)

Contains photographs, United States government papers, correspondence, regional background information, newsletters, periodicals, and oversized documents. In 1949 L. R. Harrill was selected by the United States military government to promote 4-H Youth Clubs in Austria. Under the Marshall Plan for postwar reconstruction of Europe, Harrill traveled to Europe and aided rural Austrian youth in adapting modern farming methods.

Photographs
Box 8, Folder 3
United States government papers
Box 8, Folder 4
Correspondence (1 of 3)
Box 8, Folder 5
Correspondence (2 of 3)
Box 8, Folder 6
Correspondence (3 of 3)
Box 8, Folder 7
News Clippings, Itineraries, Regional Background Information
Box 8, Folder 8
Periodicals and Newsletters (regional)
Box 8, Folder 9
Periodicals (regional)
Box 8, Folder 10
Marshall Plan Periodicals
Box 8, Folder 11
Mission to Austria Documents (oversized)
Legal box 10, Folder 1
4-H Papers and Pamphlets: Cooperative Extension Periodicals (MC 00017 Subseries 2.06)

Contains a collection of business papers and printed material used by the North Carolina 4-H Club and the North Carolina Agricultural Cooperative Extension.

4-H Budget and Statistics 1957-1959
Box 9, Folder 1
4-H Pamphlets (1 of 3)
Box 9, Folder 2
4-H Pamphlets (2 of 3)
Box 9, Folder 3
4-H Pamphlets (3 of 3)
Box 9, Folder 4
Extension Periodicals 1923-1963
Box 9, Folder 5
International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE) 1955-1959 (MC 00017 Subseries 2.07)

Contains travel itineraries, business and personal correspondence, and greeting cards related to Harrill's involvement with the IFYE Program in the 1950s.

International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE)
Box 9, Folder 6
IFYE Christmas Cards
Box 9, Folder 7
Periodicals, Newsletters and Pamphlets (MC 00017 Subseries 2.08)

Contains magazines, newsletters and printed material with an agricultural and outdoor orientation.

Periodicals, Newsletters and Promotional Pamphlets
Box 9, Folder 8
Other Professional Papers (MC 00017 Subseries 2.09)

An aggregate study that was included in L. R. Harrill's papers, possibly related to concrete work at one of North Carolina's 4-H outdoor camps.

Aggregate Study by W. B. Olsen
Box 9, Folder 9
Miscellaneous Professional Papers
Box 12, Folder 9
Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.

Access to the collection

This 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 to digital files may require additional advanced notice.

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

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], L. R. Harrill Papers, MC 00017, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Use of these materials

The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.