Roy Bird Cook (1886-1961), Collector, Tavenner Family Papers and Other Material

Access and use

Location of collection:
West Virginia & Regional History Center
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6069
1549 University Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26506
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Lori Hostuttler
Phone: (304) 293-3536
Restrictions:

No special access restriction applies.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Preferred citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Roy Bird Cook (1886-1961), Collector, Tavenner Family Papers and Other Material, A&M 0081, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Collection context

Summary

Extent:
1.1 Linear Feet 1 ft. 1 in. (2 document cases, 5 in. each); (1 large flat storage box, 3 in.)
Creator:
Cook, Roy Bird, 1886-1961
Abstract:
Papers of Thomas Tavenner and the Tavenner family of western Virginia, including correspondence; memoirs; journals; financial and legal documents; pamphlets; newspapers; and other material. Much of the material in this collection regards the Civil War. The Tavenner family were Confederate sympathizers.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Roy Bird Cook (1886-1961), Collector, Tavenner Family Papers and Other Material, A&M 0081, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Papers of Thomas Tavenner and the Tavenner family of western Virginia, including correspondence; memoirs; journals; financial and legal documents; pamphlets; newspapers; and other material. Much of the material in this collection regards the Civil War. The Tavenner family were Confederate sympathizers.

The collection is organized into ten series, including:

Series 1. Correspondence; 1796-1955, undated; box 1, folders 1A-20
Series 2. Reminiscences; 1861-1866, undated; box 1, folders 21-23
Series 3. Journals; 1840-1863; box 1, folders 24-25
Series 4. Financial papers; 1821-1901, undated; box 1, folders 26-31
Series 5. Indentures and Deeds; 1783-1855, undated; box 2, folders 1-8
Series 6. Subject series; 1859, undated; box 2, folders 9-15
Series 7. Pamphlets; 1845-1935; box 2, folders 16-19
Series 8. Ephemera; undated; box 2, folder 20
Series 9. Miscellaneous; 1932-1940, undated; box 2, folders 21-23
Series 10. Oversize; 1772-1938; box 3, folders 1-6

Biographical / historical:

Roy Bird Cook was born at Roanoke, Lewis County on April 1, 1886, the son of David Bird and Dora Elizabeth Conrad Cook. In 1905, at age 19, he received his pharmacy license, the youngest person to ever do so in West Virginia. His pharmacy career spanned fifty-six years. During his lifetime, Cook served on many pharmacy and state boards and commissions. His interest in local history, the Confederacy and Stonewall Jackson inspired him to collect manuscripts and some 600 volumes on those subjects. His many awards and honors include an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from West Virginia University in 1938.

Physical location:
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard