~ March 2020

In November 2020, the North Caroliniana Society shared a copy of the Society’s Imprint #60, Richard Paschal’s Jim Crow in North Carolina: The Legislative Program from 1865 to 1920, with every member of the Society.

President Emeritus Whichard wrote to each member:

Some years ago, Dr. H.G. Jones requested that I join him in a meeting with historian Oliver Orr.  Dr. Orr was concerned that we lacked detailed knowledge regarding the origins and development of Jim Crow laws in North Carolina.  A widower with no descendants, and late in life, he wished to commit a portion of his personal estate to a serious research and writing project on this subject.

In response, the Society created the Oliver Orr Fund, and Dr. Orr made a generous contribution to it to finance this project.  With an assist from Martin Brinkley, the Society commissioned Dr. Richard A. Paschal (A.B., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; J.D., University of Virginia; Ph.D., John Hopkins University) to perform the scholarly work.

The enclosed volume is the product of that study.  It contributes to our historical knowledge and perspective and enhances an already significant collection of Society Imprints.  I commend it to your perusal, and I thank you for your faithful support of the Society.

With best wishes,
Willis P. Whichard

With the remaining funds in the Orr Fund, the Society was also able to donate a copy of the book to all 84 state library systems and all of the Law School Libraries in the state.