The Historical Society of North Carolina
Encouraging research, writing, and publication on North Carolina history since 1945
March 26,1937 – October 13, 2025 Richard Alexander Shrader (aka Dick or Rich) was born March 26,1937 in Danville KY and grew up in Columbia, KY. The son of Ashton Boyd and Thelma Musetta Shrader, he had two sisters, Carol Continue reading Dr. Richard A. Shrader
Willis Padgett Whichard May 24, 1940 – November 18, 2025 Willis Padgett Whichard, 85, known to longtime friends and family as “Bill,” died on November 18, 2025, in Chapel Hill, after a period of declining health from pulmonary fibrosis. A Continue reading Willis P. Whichard
HSNC Notes the Passing of Dr. Henry C. Ferrell of ECU. Dr. Henry Clifton Ferrell, Jr., 86, longtime professor of History at East Carolina University died on August 21, from complications of Covid 19. A native of Guilford County, Dr. Continue reading Dr. Henry C. Ferrell
March 14, 1953 – August 8, 2020 Dr. Wade G. Dudley, 67, passed away Saturday, August 8, 2020 Wade was raised in Sampson County, Wade received his Bachelor’s Degree in History from ECU, and worked for Procter and Gamble for Continue reading Dr. Wade G. Dudley
It was with sadness that the HSNC noted the passing of Dr. George W. Troxler of Elon University who served as our President from 1989-1990. Dr. Troxler was an active member of the HSNC up until his death and despite Continue reading Dr. George W. Troxler
Dr. Anne Firor Scott, for three decades a professor of history at Duke University and a nationally recognized scholar who advocated a different perspective of and appreciation for women’s history died at her Chapel Hill home on February 5, 2019 Continue reading Dr. Anne Firor Scott
Dr. H. G. Jones, archivist, historian, teacher, author and member of “America’s Greatest Generation,” died October 14, 2018, at The Arbor, Galloway Ridge at Fearrington, Pittsboro, North Carolina. He was ninety-four years, nine months and seven days old- a life Continue reading Dr. H. G. Jones
Oliver Hamilton Orr, Jr. October 6, 1921-January 20, 2018 By Willis P. Whichard Delivered at the April 6, 2018 HSNC Meeting, Gastonia, NC Oliver Hamilton Orr, Jr. was born on October 6, 1921 in Brevard, North Carolina, the son of Continue reading Oliver Hamilton Orr, Jr.
Alexander R. Stoesen April 9, 1932-November 30, 2017 By George and Carole Troxler Delivered at the April 6, 2018 HSNC Meeting, Gastonia, NC Many of us, on hearing the following words, would immediately know to whom they refer: “He was Continue reading Alexander R. Stoesen
We note with sadness the passing of HSNC member Dr. Donald Lennon on April 26, 2018. As Director of the East Carolina Manuscript Collection and later Coordinator of Special Collections, Dr. Lennon was responsible for the establishment of ECU’s University Continue reading Longtime ECU archivist and HSNC member Donald Lennon passes