The correspondence series primarily contains handwritten letters to and from Robert Hardin Holyfield. The majority of the letters are to Robert from either his mother or father asking questions about Elon College and daily life activities. Of particular interest, many of the letters prior to the 1940s are written by Evelyn Holyfield (Robert’s sister) to her parents talking about daily life and school in Raleigh, NC while she attended Meredith College (1:2, 1:3). Specifically, there is a letter that Evelyn wrote to her parents that mentions the fact that Thad Eure, former North Carolina Secretary of State, was going to speak in Raleigh and she hoped to go and hear him speak (1:3).

Within this series, there is a letter from the Registrar at the time, Dr. Alonzo L. Hook, stating that Elon had received Robert’s transcripts from high school and that he would be enrolled as a freshman at Elon in 1941 (1:4). Most of the letters written in 1942 pertain specifically to the daily life, activities, and school work at Elon College (1:5-1:7). Of particular historical interest are letters that Robert Holyfield wrote to the local draft board requesting that he be deferred from the draft of World War II until he finished his second year of college (1:5).

Not only do the letters to Robert from his parents inquire about college life events and activities, but they discuss (sometimes in detail) the happenings back home in Rockford, NC. Of particular historical interest involving race relations in North Carolina during this time period, is a letter Robert received from his father, H.G. Holyfield, from April 20, 1942 in which H.G. talks about how he dislikes African Americans hanging around their property (1:6). Specifically, H.G. states “That is what I dislike about having darkies up there, but we have every door locked except kitchen and living room.” (1:6) Additionally, there are a few correspondences in this series in which Robert’s mother discusses her disdain against World War II and how she wishes the war would end (1:6).

Furthermore in this series, there is a time gap from 1942 to 1944 in which Robert transitioned from being in school at Elon College to serving in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II (1:8, 1:9). In a few of the letters that Robert wrote back home to his parents from abroad, he discusses in detail the daily life and activities of being part of the U.S. military (1:9).

The one item represented in this series is a receipt from the business manager at Elon College to Robert Holyfield (without stating what was paid for) documenting that the school received $1.00 from Mr. Holyfield (2:1).

The literary productions series contains only three documents. All of the papers have the same information typed on them, the poems of Clara M. Simmerman. The poems appear to have no direct relation to items included in the rest of the collection (3:1).

This series contains a variety of materials, mostly relating to Elon College or World War II. Of particular interest relating to Elon College is a paper that outlines the rules and regulations developed by the director of music, Stuart Pratt, for music students who wish to use practice rooms (4:1). A good statement that represents how certain genres of music were perceived during the 1940s can be found within the rules and regulations which states, “The practice rooms are for the purpose of practicing music of the type assigned to applied music students. This does not include ‘swing’” (4:1). Another piece of material that pertains to Elon College, is a handwritten class schedule that permitted Robert Holyfield to enroll in the classes that were listed on the schedule (4:4).

The one item in the printed material series that relates to World War II is an original War Rations Book (4:2). While none of the names printed on this rations book relate to any other items in the collection, it does provide a warning statement and a set of instructions on how the book is to be used and handled (4:2).