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Kathryn Adkins Collection

1 box (1.1 linear feet)

(1905 – 1985)

bulk 1965

Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury, University, Salisbury, Maryland

Identifier 2012.115
Creator(s) Kathryn Adkins
Acquisition

Donated by Kathryn Adkins. 2012.115, 2018.019
Language(s) English
Use Records are open for research. Copyright, including literary rights, belongs to the author(s) or their legal heirs. Permission to publish or reproduce must be obtained from the Nabb Research Center which extends beyond "fair use."
Preferred Citation "Item, collection title and identifier, box # and folder # (if applicable), Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland."
Attribution Finding Aid written by Rihana Stevenson, November 2021
Related Materials

Bertha Adkins papers (1950 – 2004)

Business Receipts Collection (1880 – 1925)
Separated Materials
  1. 1: Adkins Family, Adkins Co Newspaper articles 
  2. 1: Adkins Family, 50th anniversary Adkins Co booklet 
  3. 2: Photography, Bertha S. Adkins 
  4. 3: World War 1, Topographical map of Verdun (1917) 
  5. 3: World War 1, Map of France and Belgium – British and French Front 
Abstract

This collection contains documents from Adkins Lumber Company and its founding family members as well as books, photographs, and newspapers from their involvement in various Maryland politics and urban development projects from 1905 to 1986. Also included are maps and booklets from Samuel F. Adkins’ time in World War 1.

Administrative History

Adkins Lumber Company was founded in 1893 by Stanton Adkins in the family’s acreage. Following Stanton’s death, the company was handed over to Stanton’s son, Elijah S. Adkins, whose own sons eventually continued the business themselves. Adkins Lumber Co. supplied furnishings and interior décor for businesses, residences, and churches. Eventually the company shifted into wholesale and retail lumber sales. Frederic P. Adkins, Elijah’s oldest son, used his involvement in the company to fund local first responders, development of the Wicomico Hotel, restoration of the Poplar Hill Mansion, and be a part of local politics. His daughter, Bertha S. Adkins, was similarly inclined and worked as secretary for Adkins Co. and later as Under Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in the U.S Department of Health. Adkins Lumber Company grew and functioned on a plant in Salisbury during 1903 (which was rebuilt after a fire three years later) and stayed there until the plant was demolished in 1977 and the company downsized into a warehouse manufacturing center in Berlin, MD where it still operates. 

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains documents from Adkins Lumber Company and its founding family members as well as books, photographs, and newspapers from their involvement in various Maryland politics and urban development projects from 1905 to 1986. Also included are maps and booklets from Samuel Adkins’ time in World War 1. Documents from Adkins Lumber Company detail its legacy and development on the Eastern Shore. Photographs from 1920 to 1986 show the growth of the lumberyard and factory over those 6 decades.The images feature the company's draftsmen, yard workers, and manufacturing processes. News articles follow the company’s shift from a small sawmill to a larger corporate entity and feature the photographs of the company. A scrapbook shows the trucks and transportation methods for the company. Pamphlets and event booklets display Frederic P. Adkin’s involvement in the local community, and show his investment in various Salisbury and Wicomico County businesses and historical sites. His involvement with the Salisbury Times and Chesapeake Airways accounts for the articles and photobook within the collection, the former sharing Adkins' contributions and the latter photographing aerial scenes of the eastern shore. Scripts from WBOC tv and news articles pay tribute to F.P Adkins’ life following his death in 1963. Bertha S. Adkins’ documents highlight her involvement in D.C politics and work as a member of The National Federation of Republican Women. Along with her photographs with various politicians and presidents are her experiences as the head of Foxcroft's all girls school. Samuel F. Adkins’ items are World War One maps, featuring a French topographical map of Verdun and a map of France and Belgium from 1917.

Arrangement Statement
  • Series 1: Adkins Family 
  • Series 2: Photography (arranged in chronological order) 
  • Series 3: World War 1 

Subject Terms

  • Topical Terms
    • Adkins Family
    • Business
    • Photography
    • Politics
    • Scrapbooks
    • World War, 1914-1918
  • Corporate Names
    • E.S. Adkins Co.
  • Location Terms
    • Salisbury (Md.)

Inventory List

The inventory list for this item is hidden due to its length. Click the button below to view it.

  1. 1: Adkins Family, Bertha S. Adkins 
  2. 1: Adkins Family, Frederic P. Adkins 
  3. 1: Adkins Family, Company Documents 
  4. 1: Adkins Family, Company Design book 1905-06 
  5. 1: Adkins Family, Obituaries 
  6. 2: Photography, Ruth Powell 
  7. 2: Photography, Bertha S. Adkins 
  8. 2: Photography, Adkins Co. Deer Harbor 
  9. 2: Photography. Delmarva From the Air photobook 
  10. 2: Photography, Adkins Co. Scrapbook 
  11. 2: Photography, 1960s-1980s 
  12. 2: Photography, 1940s-1950s 
  13. 2: Photography, 1920s-1930s 
  14. 3: World War 1, The Infantry Soldier’s Handbook (1917) 
  15. 3: World War 1, Manual for Noncommissioned Officers & Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States (1917) 

Separated Items (OVERSIZED): 

  1. 1: Adkins Family, Adkins Co Newspaper articles 
  2. 1: Adkins Family, 50th anniversary Adkins Co booklet 
  3. 2: Photography, Bertha S. Adkins 
  4. 3: World War 1, Topographical map of Verdun (1917) 
  5. 3: World War 1, Map of France and Belgium – British and French Front 

Artifacts

2 Paperweights to Bertha S. Adkins – 1971 National Federation of Republican Women; Outstanding Achievement in the field of Administration 

2 Framed Photographs – Bertha S. Adkins with President Eisenhower; Bertha S. Adkins in conversation with two men 

Attachments

None