Massey Family Papers, PC.5323
Abstract
This collection consists of photographs taken by members of the Massey family of Virginia during their vacations to Nags Head in 1928 and 1954. The 1928 photographs appear to have been taken by Frances Crenshaw Courtney or one of her traveling companions and depict various buildings and scenes throughout the Nags Head area, primarily concentrated on the Nags Head Soundside/Old Nags Head. The 1954 photographs depict several shots of cars parked outside the Nags Head Hotel, scenes around the Wright Brothers National Memorial, and aerial views of the Outer Banks.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Massey Family Papers
- Call Number
- PC.5323
- Creator
- Massey family
- Date
- 1928 and 1954
- Extent
- 0.200 cubic feet
- Language
- English
- Repository
- Outer Banks History Center
Restrictions on Access & Use
Access Restrictions
Available for research.
Use Restrictions
Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by the United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying these materials.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], PC.5323, Massey Family Papers, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, NC, U.S.A.
Collection Overview
This collection consists of two folders of material. The first folder contains postcards
created by Frances Crenshaw Courtney during a visit to Nags Head, 5-13 June 1928,
when she was 20 years old. The photos on the postcards appear to have been taken by
Frances or one of her traveling companions and depict various buildings and scenes
throughout the Nags Head area, including passengers disembarking from the Soundside
boardwalk, cars parked on the beach near the boardwalk, canal fishing, bathers on
the beach, moonlight on the sound, boats docked near the boardwalk, cows grazing under
a tree in the Fresh Pond area, and the 1896 Fort Raleigh monument. The back of each
postcard contains a full account of the Frances' activities during each day of the
trip, including swimming, singing songs, visiting shipwrecks, and several dates she
went on.
The second folder contains photographs taken by Frances' daughter, Lucy Massey, during
a 1954 visit to the Outer Banks when she was ten years old. Images depict several
shots of cars parked outside the Nags Head Hotel, scenes around the Wright Brothers
National Memorial, and aerial views of the Outer Banks (identified by Lucy as Nags
Head, but probably depicting Kill Devil Hills as seen from the Wright Brothers Memorial).
Biographical/Historical
The materials in this collection were created by two members of the Massey family: Frances Crenshaw Courtney Massey (1908-1999) and Lucy Massey Headley. Frances Crenshaw Courtney was born 12 January 1908 in Mundy Point, Northumberland County, Virginia, to Bertie Bailey Courtney (1876-1959) and Warren Jeremiah Courtney (1872-1953). She had at least four siblings: Lewis Walton Courtney (1902-1965), Marguerite Young Courtney (1904-1993), Georgianna Bailey Courtney (1905-2001), and Bertie Courtney (1915-2006). She was married to Robert Bruce Massey (1911-1981). Frances attended Westhampton College, now part of the University of Richmond. She died 30 December 1999 and was buried in Kinsale, Virginia, in the Yeocomico Episcopal Churchyard. Lucy Massey was her daughter. Lucy married Marvin V. Headley and, as of 2021, lives in Farnham, Virginia.
Contents of the Collection
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
Donated by Lucy Massey Headley, May 2021.