Special Collections & University Archives
Search Special CollectionsHoursMonday - Friday 9 am - 4:30 pm LocationThe Special Collections is located on the east side of the Library on the 3rd floor. Take the stairs and turn left or take the elevator nearest the Circulation desk and turn right. Contact InformationPatricia W. & J. Douglas Perry Library |
The Papers of William Frederick DuckworthScope and Contents - Series Descriptions - Access - Contents Listing BiographyWilliam Fred Duckworth was born June 20, 1899 in Brevard, North Carolina. He graduated from Kernersville High School in Kernersville, North Carolina, and attended Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina. He served in the Infantry during World War I. Duckworth married Gertrude Summers, a native of Statesville, North Carolina. Together they had one daughter, Betty. Mr. Duckworth's first employment was with the Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1920. In 1931, he was promoted to manager of the plant. Then in 1933, he transferred to the Memphis Tennessee Plant. In 1936, Duckworth moved to Norfolk, Virginia to manage the Norfolk Plant. He worked for the Ford Motor Company until 1942. Mr. Duckworth served his country again from 1942 to 1944, as Regional Director of the War Production Board in Cleveland, Ohio. After this he became an independent businessman, founding the Cavalier Motor Company in Norfolk, Virginia. He served as President of the company until 1959. After that, he continued to serve as Chairman of the Board. In 1950, running on the coalition ticket, Duckworth was elected as mayor of Norfolk. He served in this position for twelve years, as Norfolk's longest running mayor. He finally declined reelection in 1962. During his terms in office, he was instrumental in converting the "old seaport city" with its slums, crime, run down buildings, and poorly designed streets into the respectable town that received the "All American City" award in 1960. He was considered stubborn and brusque, but he got things done. For better or worse, he often overstepped the political bureaucracy of the city. Among his accomplishments were slum clearance, an industrial park, the Norfolk bridges and tunnels, and the General Douglas MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk's old Court House. On March 4, 1972, William Fred Duckworth was killed in a barrage of gunfire while taking his regular nightly walk near his Norfolk apartment. Duckworth was shot as many as twelve times from ground level. He was found by a passing motorist, and there were no witnesses. His cane was broken, which indicated to police that there might have been a fight. Robbery was ruled out, as nothing was stolen. No one was ever charged with the crime. Years later the identity of his killer remains a mystery. Scope and ContentsThe W. Fred Duckworth Papers consists of documents, artifacts, newspaper clippings, photos, and scrapbooks documenting his activities in politics, as a businessman, and as a civic leader. Material dates from the 1940s through the 1970s. Series DescriptionsThe collection is broken down into the following series: I: Papers; II: Memorabilia; III: Oversize Photographs and certificates; and IV: Oversize Albums and Scrapbooks. Series I: Papers. This series is divided into four sub-series. Sub-series A: W. Fred Duckworth; Sub-series B: General Douglas MacArthur; and Sub-series C: Governor Thomas B. Stanley. Sub-series A: W. Fred Duckworth. This sub-series contains biographical and historical information on William Fred Duckworth. Included are newspaper clippings, correspondence, programs, and unframed certificates. A bulk of the materials relates to Mr. Duckworth's untimely death in 1972. Of particular note is the transcript of the 1962 WTAR presentation "The Duckworth Years" highlighting Mr. Duckworth's career as Mayor of Norfolk. Materials date from the 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's. Sub-series B: General Douglas MacArthur. This sub-series is devoted to General Douglas MacArthur's death and funeral in 1964. Sub-series C: Governor Thomas B. Stanley. This sub-series contains information on Virginia Governor Thomas B. Stanley. Included are a program for a dinner in honor of Governor Stanley and information on Virginia's 350th Anniversary Tour of Europe. This tour was a prelude to the observance of the anniversary of the first permanent English settlement in Jamestown. Material dates from September to November 1956. Series II: Memorabilia. This series contains a variety of memorabilia from Mr. Duckworth's life. Included are items that relate to his career as Norfolk Mayor and items that reflect his various civic involvements. Series III: Oversize Photographs and Certificates. This sub-series contains photographs and certificates of importance to Fred Duckworth. Most of these are framed. Many of the photographs are of Mr. Duckworth. There are also photos of General Douglas MacArthur, as well as other military, political, and civic leaders. There are a few photos related to Mr. Duckworth's career with Ford. Certificates from various organizations and councils recognize work and accomplishments. A 1957 framed certificate from President Dwight Eisenhower appoints Mr. Duckworth a member of the Water Pollution Control Advisory Board in the Public Health Service. Series IV: Oversize Albums, and Scrapbooks. This sub-series contains albums, scrapbooks, and books related to Mr. Duckworth's activities. Many contain material from his time working for Ford. Other material relates to his terms as Mayor of Norfolk. ProvenanceGift of Betty Duckworth Farrand, May 12, 1980. AccessOpen to researchers without restrictions. Questions on literary property rights should be directed to the Special Collections Librarian. Size2 Hollinger Document Cases, 1 Hollinger Box, and 13 Oversize Boxes. Contents ListingSeries I: Papers Subseries A: W. Frederick Duckworth Box 1 Folder 1: Biographical Information
Box 2 Folder 1: U.S.S. Norfolk Commissions, March 4, 1953 Subseries B: General Douglas MacArthur Folder 9: General Douglas MacArthur: Last Journey for an Old Soldier Subseries C: Governor Thomas B. Stanley Folder 15: Inscribed Program in Honor of Governor Thomas B. Stanley, October 27, 1956 Series II: Memorabilia Folder 19: Three Webster School Notebooks Box 3 1. Academic Hood Box 4 1. Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Tile, Opening, 1964 Series III: Oversize Photographs & Certificates Box 5 1. Color print of jungle warfare and signature of Douglas MacArthur. Box 6 1. Framed, Certificate Granting Status of “Honorary Alumnus of the Armed Forces Staff College” to Hon. W. Fred Duckworth (#31) Box 7 1. Framed, Black & White Photograph of the Launching of the U.S.S. Norfolk Box 8 1. Photographs of Fred Duckworth and color photograph of Mrs. Duckworth (#15) Box 9 1. Framed, Certificate of Appreciation to William Fredrick Duckworth from Eight Civic Organizations, September 6, 1972
Box 10 1. House Joint resolution No. 162 of the Virginia General Assembly Honoring Fred Duckworth after his Death, March7, 1972 Series IV: Oversize Albums & Scrapbooks Box 11 1. “Ford-O-Graphs” Album of W.F. Duckworth, 1951 Activities: Photographs & News Clippings Box 12 1. White Album Containing Resolutions Passed in Honor of W. Fred Duckworth Following his Death in 1972 Box 13 1. Binder of Materials from the Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom of Howard Payne College, Including Papers, and 13 Black & White Photographs Box 14 1. College of William and Mary Scrapbook to W. Fred Duckworth, 1964 Box 15 1. Wooden Scrapbook [1958-1963] Box 16 1. Green Scrapbook [1951-1957] Box 17 1. Framed, City Council Resolution in Honor of Mayor Duckworth in Leaving the City Council, August 1962 (#24) Oversize (unboxed) 1. Framed, Certificate from President Eisenhower to William Fredrick Duckworth, Appointing him a Member of the Water Pollution Control Advisory Board in the Public Health Service, September 26, 1957 Revised 4/28/2010 |