Finding Aid of the Mr. and Mrs. Ray Van Natta Postcard Collection, PHC.46
Abstract
This collection contains photographic postcards depicting various views of landscape
scenes in North Carolina from the coast to the mountains. The owner was an actor traveling
through North Carolina cities where he performed in plays.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Mr. and Mrs. Ray Van Natta Postcard Collection
- Call Number
- PHC.46
- Creator
-
Van Natta, Ray
- Date
- 1913
- Extent
- 0.200 cubic feet
- Language
-
English
- Repository
-
State Archives of North Carolina
Restrictions on Access & Use
Use Restrictions
Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as
stipulated by 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 the materials.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], PhC.46 Mr. and Mrs. Ray Van Natta Postcard Collection, State
Archives of North Carolina; Raleigh, NC.
Collection Overview
The photographic postcards in this collection depict various landscape scenes of North
Carolina from the coast to the mountains. The postcards were never mailed, but were
dated December 1913, by the owner. Slight postcards contain notations on the reverse
and the final eleven postcards include one continuous postal message.
Arrangement Note
The items are arranged chronologically by the hand dated notations on the back of
the postcards.
Historical note
The author of the correspondence signed his name "Father"; therefore, his identity
remains a mystery. He purchased the postcards as souvenirs of his visit to North Carolina.
His messages apparently are directed to his daughter Bertie. "Father" was an actor
traveling through North Carolina cities where he performed in plays. Research in local
newspapers published at the time revealed that he was likely a member of the cast
of "Peg 'O My Heart", a J. Hartley Manners' comedy produced by Oliver Morosco. The
New York hit show was making a tour of the South and after leaving Virginia, the group
made its way into North Carolina. The chronology of his cards displays the travel
route and the order of cities in which the play was performed. The troupe first visited
Greensboro and in succession performed in Durham, Wilson, Wilmington, Fayetteville,
Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Statesville, and Asheville. After the engagement
in Asheville, the players continued on for a booking in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Contents of the Collection
Normal College Buildings and Grounds, Greensboro, North Carolina, December 3, 1913
PhC.46.01
A & M College for Colored People, Greensboro, North Carolina, December 4, 1913
PhC.46.02
Monuments, Guilford Battle Ground, Greensboro, North Carolina, December 5, 1913
PhC.46.03
Watts Memorial Hospital, Durham, North Carolina, December 5, 1913
PhC.46.04
Trinity College Campus, Durham, North Carolina, December 5, 1913
PhC.46.05
The B. N. Duke Residence, Durham, North Carolina, December 5, 1913
PhC.46.06
Hotel Malbourne, Durham, North Carolina, December 5, 1913
PhC.46.07
Confederate Monument, Wilson, North Carolina, December 6, 1913
PhC.46.08
Tarboro Street, Looking South, Wilson, North Carolina, December 6, 1913
PhC.46.09
Oceanic Hotel, Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, December 8, 1913
PhC.46.10
New High School, Wilmington, North Carolina, December 8, 1913
PhC.46.11
Officers Quarters, Parade Ground and Barracks, Fort Caswell, North Carolina, December 8, 1913
PhC.46.12
Court House Square, Fayetteville, North Carolina, December 9, 1913
PhC.46.13
Hay Street, Fayetteville, North Carolina, December 9, 1913
PhC.46.14
Fayetteville Street, looking North, Raleigh, North Carolina, December 10, 1913
PhC.46.15
Shaw University, Raleigh, North Carolina, December 10, 1913
PhC.46.16
Raleigh, North Carolina, State School for the Blind, December 10, 1913
PhC.46.17
State House and Confederate Monument, Raleigh, North Carolina, December 10, 1913
PhC.46.18
First Baptist Church, View from the Capitol, Raleigh, North Carolina, December 10, 1913
PhC.46.19
Worth Bagley and State House, Raleigh, North Carolina, December 10, 1913
PhC.46.20
Good Roads, leading to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, December 11, 1913
PhC.46.21
The Phoenix Hotel Block, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, December 11, 1913
PhC.46.22
Tobacco Sale, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, December 11, 1913
PhC.46.23
"God's Acre." The Moravian Graveyard. Over 150 years old, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, December 11, 1913
PhC.46.24
Scene on Trade Street, during a tobacco sale, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, December 11, 1913
PhC.46.25
Charlotte, North Carolina, View Showing Post Office and Mint, December 12, 1913
PhC.46.26
View of Charlotte, North Carolina, from Sanatorium Roof Garden, December 12, 1913
PhC.46.27
View of Lakewood From Pavilion, Charlotte, North Carolina, December 12, 1913
PhC.46.28
Charlotte, North Carolina, View of Elizabeth Avenue, December 12, 1913
PhC.46.29
Graded School, Statesville, North Carolina . Beginning of postal message continued
on subsequent cards, December 15, 1913
PhC.46.30
First Methodist Church, Statesville, North Carolina, December 15, 1913
PhC.46.31
Kestler Bridge, Over 90 Feet High and 500 Feet Long, Statesville, North Carolina, December 15, 1913
PhC.46.32
South Center Street, Statesville, North Carolina, December 15, 1913
PhC.46.33
Catawba River Bridge, Statesville, North Carolina, December 15, 1913
PhC.46.34
The Manor, Asheville, North Carolina, December 16, 1913
PhC.46.35
An Old Mill, "In the Land of the Sky,", December 16, 1913
PhC.46.36
In the "Land of the Sky," Mt. Mitchell, Altitude 6711 ft., December 16, 1913
PhC.46.37
Fairfield Inn from Bald Rock, "In the Beautiful Sapphire Country," North Carolina, December 16, 1913
PhC.46.38
Andrews' Geyser, Near Asheville, North Carolina, December 16, 1913
PhC.46.39
Biltmore House, Home of George W. Vanderbilt, Biltmore, North Carolina, December 16, 1913
PhC.46.40
Subject Headings
Bagley, Worth
Biltmore Estate (Asheville, N.C.)
Trinity College (Durham, N.C.)
Malbourne Hotel
Shaw University (Raleigh, NC)
Actors--North Carolina--1913.
African American universities and colleges
Asheville (N.C.)
Charlotte (N.C.)
Durham (N.C.)
Fayetteville (N.C.)
Greensboro (N.C.)
Raleigh (N.C.)
Statesville (N.C.)
Wilmington (N.C.)
Wilson (N.C.)
Winston-Salem (N.C.)
Wrightsville Beach
Fort Caswell (N.C.)
Catawba River Bridge
Acquisitions Information
The collection was donated to the State Archives by Mr. and Mrs. Ray Van Natta on
April 23, 1992. They are acquaintances of Dr. Thornton W. Mitchell of Raleigh, who
acted as agent.
Processing Information
Processed by Stephen E. Massengill, April, 1992
Encoded by Dietra Stanley
Encoding updated by Aaron Cusick, January, 2012
Finding aid updated by Rebecca Stubbs, June 2025