J. Edwin Hendricks Papers

MS507

J. Edwin (Ed) Hendricks was a WFU history professor from 1961 to 2009. Materials in this collection include Hendricks' articles; correspondence with researchers and students; WFU administrative records; Winston-Salem building preservation efforts; and course materials. There is a small amuont of personal documents and compact discs related to WFU history.

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Biographical and Historical Note

J. Edwin (Ed) Hendricks was born on October 19, 1935, in Pickens, S.C., to James Edwin and Cassie Looper Hendricks. He graduated magna cum laude with a history degree from Furman University (1957) and went on to earn both a master's degree (1959) and doctorate (1961) in history from the University of Virginia. During that time, he also served in the U.S. Army Reserve (1957-1965), receiving an honorable discharge with the rank of Captain.

Hendricks accepted his first and only professional appointment from Wake Forest's history department in 1961, eventually serving as department chair from 1995 to 1999 and earning the title of Professor Emeritus. He specialized in early American history, historic preservation, public history, and University history. Hendricks served as an advisor to ROTC students and Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, and managed a graduate program in preservation and museum training for several years. He also published books, such as Forsyth: a History of a County on the March,  Jeffersonian Democracy in N.C., and  Liquor and Anti-liquor in Virginia. In 2009, Hendricks retired after 47 years at Wake Forest.

He was also active in the Winston-Salem community. At various times, he was director of the Historic Preservation Foundation of N.C., president of the N.C. Literary and Historical Association, Historic Winston, the Winston-Salem Kiwanis Club, and Wachovia Historical Society. He served on the board of the Historic Bethabara and on the Old Salem restoration committee and was the chair of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Historic Districts Commission. Hendricks also consulted on public history projects in Winston-Salem and the Piedmont community, such as the Horne Creek Living Historical Farm in Surry County, the Colonel Jack Martin Rock House in Stokes County, and Old Salem Museum and Gardens. Hendricks was also a longtime member of Wake Forest Baptist Church and later joined College Park Baptist Church.

In 1958, he married Sue James Hendricks. She attended Furman University and later earned a master's in Business Administration from WFU. Together, they raised three children, James Allen, Christopher, and Lee. On March 27, 2015, Hendricks passed away.

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Collection Overview

This collection documents Ed Hendricks's tenure as a WFU history professor: his scholarship, University events and administration, and local history communities and work are all present. These files seem to have functioned as subject files; they are arranged in alphabetical order and not divided into series.

Materials in this collection include scholarly articles and writings by Hendricks, including research materials and drafts, as well as writings from other scholars; course syllabi, descriptions, examinations, and student papers; correspondence with colleagues, researchers, committee members, and students; local Winston-Salem and N.C. newspapers and magazines; WFU administrative reports and other records; and building preservation and local history promotional and administrative documentation.

Student papers feature heavily in Hendricks' materials; he often included other research materials on the same topic with them. A small amount of personal materials are included but the large majority of the collection relates to Hendricks' scholarly interests and community work. Photocopies and transcripts of primary documents are common. Although these items are copies, the date recorded reflects the earliest date, if identifiable. When relevant and possible, course numbers are included in the folder titles. A few compact discs, mostly related to WFU history, are present; they are listed in folder titles.

Administrative Information

Publication Information
Processed by Elizabeth Crispino, 2023
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for researchers. 
Copyright Notice
The nature of the WFU Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Archives and Special Collections of ZSR Library claims only physical ownership of most materials. The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to the 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. 
Preferred Citation
J. Edwin Hendricks Papers (MS507), Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. 

Collection Inventory

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