West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company Logging Photographs, 1927-1931

Repository:

Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University

Creator:

West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company

Title:

West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company Logging Photographs

Collection No.:

SC 0130

Date:

1927-1931

Extent:

1 folder, .08 Cubic Feet

Language of the Material:

English

Abstract:

Contains 36 B&W photographs of loggers (including African-American and child workers) cutting trees in North Carolina, Virginia, and unspecified locations. Some photos have hand-written or stamped information on the back explaining the techniques being used and identifying them as "West Virginia Pulp and Paper Co."

The West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company was incorporated in 1898 by William Luke and sons. Through the twentieth century it grew into a multinational wood products corporation and changed its name to Westvaco. At the end of the twentieth century it became MeadWestvaco.

Of the 36 black-and-white photographs in this collection, 25 carry identification on the back that specifies locations in North Carolina (Moravian Falls, Crutchfield, Sanford) and Virginia (Newcastle, Fort Union, Naruna, Rhoadesville, Gordonsville, Burkeville), dates the photos from 1927 to 1931, and explains the techniques of cutting, peeling, and axing out knots of poplar and pine trees for pulpwood that are demonstrated in the photos. In a few cases the comments on the back criticize poor practices, indicating that the photos may have been intended for training purposes. "West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company, Tyrone, PA" is stamped on some photos; on the return address of the envelope in which the photos were housed, however, "Tyrone" has been crossed out and "Covington, VA" written in. Nine photos show African Americans workers; two show very young workers.

The photographs are housed in one folder.