Inventory of the Research Triangle Foundation Records, 1955-1999

These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.

Historical Note

The private, not-for-profit Research Triangle Foundation (RTF) owns the Research Triangle Park (RTP), an internationally recognized center for research and development on a 6,900-acre campus in North Carolina's Piedmont region. RTP is named for the triangle formed by the three cities and universities closely associated with the development of multi-disciplinary research strengths in the Park: the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University in Raleigh, and Duke University in Durham.

Research Triangle Park is a public/private, planned research park, created in 1959, by North Carolina Governor Luther Hodges and leaders from business, academia, and industry. The research park concept, however, had been introduced years before. In 1952, Howard Odum, professor of sociology at the University of North Carolina, proposed several research center formats that incorporated the idea of cooperation among research organizations. In the mid-1950s, Romeo Guest, a land developer and building contractor in Greensboro, became one of the first people to use the phrase "Research Triangle." Guest's conception of a research and development park and his behind-the-scenes contacts with investors were valuable assets to Governor Hodges and the early Park planners.

Governor Hodges formed the Research Triangle Committee in September 1956 to explore the idea of creating a research center to be located centrally to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University in Raleigh, and Duke University in Durham. Members of the Committee included leaders from across the state of North Carolina in government, business, and the universities.

In April 1957, investor Karl Robbins agreed to provide funds to acquire options on land. In September 1957, Romeo Guest formed a for-profit company called Pinelands Company, Inc., with Robbins as the major stockholder. By the end of the year, nearly 4,000 acres had been optioned or purchased at a cost of approximately $700,000.

In August 1958, Robert Hanes, chair of the Research Triangle Committee, asked Archie K. Davis of Wachovia Bank to find other possible investors from North Carolina for the Pinelands Company. Davis made two important suggestions: first, that the Research Triangle Committee be reconstituted as the non-profit Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina; and second, that he solicit contributions for RTF rather than sell stock for Pinelands Company. By 31 December 1958, Davis had raised $1.25 million in contributions from individuals and businesses from all across the state. This amount would enable RTF to purchase all of the shares of Pinelands stock and create a separate non-profit Research Triangle Institute (RTI) to perform independent contract research. On 9 January 1959, Governor Hodges formally announced the Research Triangle Foundation and Davis's successful fund-raising drive. He also announced the establishment of RTI; the planned construction of the Robert M. Hanes Building to house RTF and RTI; and the acquisition of land assembled by Pinelands Company, which thereafter would be managed by the Foundation.

The Research Triangle Institute was the Park's first tenant and served as a focal point for companies interested in the Park. The Park grew slowly through the early 1960s. Then, in 1965, with the arrival of both International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the Park began to grow in earnest. By 1969, 21 companies had RTP addresses. From 1970 to 1979, 17 additional companies moved on campus. By 1989, 28 more companies chose locations in the Park. From 1990 to 2000, more than 42 new companies established facilities in RTP.

Some of the industries represented in the Park include textiles, forestry, health and health-care organizations, electronics, computers, chemicals, education, pharmaceuticals, biomedical instrumentation, and statistical research.

(Adapted from information available on the Research Triangle Foundation website, November 2001.)

Collection Overview

Records of the Research Triangle Foundation, owner and developer of Research Triangle Park, N.C., a research park housing research-driven institutes and businesses in Piedmont North Carolina. Also included are records of the Pinelands Company, Inc., and the Research Triangle Committee, Inc., the predecessor organizations to the Research Triangle Foundation; records of other organizations related to the planning and development of the Research Triangle Park, including the Triangle Service Center and the Research Triangle Regional Planning Commission; materials relating to plans for the Research Triangle Institute, a non-profit entity created by the Research Triangle Foundation but jointly owned by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, and Duke University; and materials relating to a Research Triangle Park history project directed by the Triangle Universities Center for Advanced Studies, Inc. (TUCASI), a consortium created in 1975 to promote joint intellectual activity among the three Triangle universities.

Files contain correspondence, memoranda, agendas and minutes of meetings, financial records, legal documents, maps, plats, architectural drawings, speeches, brochures, binders, clippings, publications of Research Triangle Park organizations, reference materials, photographs, slides, film, and audio cassettes and tapes. These materials document the daily operations of the above organizations, including the recruiting and relocation of businesses and other organizations to the Research Triangle Park; land acquisition and land management; city and infrastructure planning; zoning; research and administrative facilities development; community outreach; fundraising; promotion of the Research Triangle Park area to various industries; publicizing press conferences and special events; and budgeting, loan repayment, and management of other financial operations. The materials also document the work of key figures in the early development of the Foundation, Park, Institute, and related organizations, including Elizabeth Aycock; Archie K. Davis; Romeo Guest; George R. Herbert; George Watts Hill; Ned E. Huffman; G. Akers Moore, Jr.; James B. Shea, Jr.; George L. Simpson; and Pearson H. Stewart.

Note that original file folder titles have chiefly been retained. There is considerable overlap within the chronologically arranged subseries of Series 2. General Correspondence, and between Series 2. and subsequent subject-based series. Researchers are advised to search broad and narrow terms to find multiple files on the same subject dispersed throughout the collection.

Organization of Collection

Detailed Description of the Collection

Materials relating to the early planning and marketing of the Research Triangle Park. Included are correspondence, memoranda, speeches, meeting minutes, reports, and legal materials documenting the work of the Research Triangle Development Council and the Research Triangle Committee, Inc., which were the organizational predecessors of the Research Triangle Foundation, as well as the key contributions by Archie K. Davis, George Watts Hill, and George L. Simpson. Concerns of the two early working groups and their leaders included city planning and infrastructure, fundraising, publicity, organizational incorporation and by-laws, and research and administrative facilities.

Materials relating to the early planning and marketing of the Research Triangle Park concept. Included are speeches, meeting minutes, reports, and legal materials documenting the work of the Research Triangle Development Council and the Research Triangle Committee, Inc., which were the organizational predecessors of the Research Triangle Foundation. Key concerns of the two early working groups included city planning and infrastructure, fundraising, publicity, organizational incorporation and by-laws, and research and administrative facilities. See also series 10.2. for additional materials relating to early planning.

Materials, including pledge letters, meeting correspondence, and reports, relating to Archie K. Davis's fundraising for and early involvement in the Research Triangle Committee, Inc., and the Research Triangle Foundation. Davis spearheaded a campaign that raised $1.4 million for the Research Triangle Foundation, which was sufficient to purchase the holdings of Pinelands Company and provide seed money for the Research Triangle Institute. Davis served as president of the Research Triangle Foundation from 1959 to 1981, and as chair of the Board of Directors from 1981 to 1987.

See also Series 2.1.5., 2.1.6., 4.3., 6.2., and 12.1. for additional materials relating to Archie K. Davis.

Correspondence of George Watts Hill, secretary-treasurer of the Research Triangle Committee, Inc., from 1957 to 1958, and secretary of the Research Triangle Foundation from 1958 to 1981. Subjects include the General Services Administration building, requests for information about Research Triangle Park; infrastructure, including access to water and highway development; fundraising in Durham, N.C., for operations costs; employment practices with regard to race; and publicity.

See also Series 2.1.3., 2.1.4., 2.1.6., 4.3., 5.2.4., 6.2., 7., and 13.1. for additional materials relating to George Watts Hill.

Chiefly correspondence and memoranda of George L. Simpson, who served as director of the Research Triangle Committee, Inc., from 1956 to 1958. Materials concern land acquisition and development, fundraising, recruiting companies to relocate to the Research Triangle area, and committee budget information and expenditures.

See also Series 2.1.1., 2.1.3., 5.2.4., 7., and 10.2. for additional materials relating to George L. Simpson.

Materials relating to the daily operations, ongoing development, and future plans for the Research Triangle Foundation and the Research Triangle Park. Materials document day-to-day concerns and activities; recruiting and relocation of companies, organizations, and government agencies to the Research Triangle area; outreach to local universities, chambers of commerce across North Carolina, and the general public; infrastructure planning; land acquisition; zoning; the development of services in the Research Triangle Park; and other concerns. Also documented are the contributions of Elizabeth Aycock; Collier Cobb, Jr.; Lauchlin M. Currie; Archie K. Davis; George Geohegan; Gordon Gray; Romeo Guest; George R. Herbert; George Watts Hill; Luther Hodges; Ned E. Huffman; William F. Little; James B. Shea, Jr.; George L. Simpson; Pearson H. Stewart, and others to the growing reputation of the Research Triangle Park. Materials include correspondence, memos to file, maps, status reports, promotional materials, expense reports, legal materials, blueprints, and photographs.

Materials relating to the daily operations, ongoing development, and future plans for the Research Triangle Foundation and the Research Triangle Park. Materials document day-to-day business concerns and activities; recruitment and relocation of companies, organizations, and government agencies to the Research Triangle area; outreach to local universities, chambers of commerce across North Carolina, and the general public; infrastructure planning; land acquisition; construction; and other Park concerns. Also documented here are key contributors to the growing reputation of the Research Triangle Park, including Elizabeth Aycock; Collier Cobb, Jr.; Lauchlin M. Currie; Archie K. Davis; George Geohegan; Gordon Gray; Romeo Guest; George R. Herbert; George Watts Hill; Luther Hodges; Ned E. Huffman; William F. Little; James B. Shea, Jr.; George L. Simpson; Pearson H. Stewart, and others. Materials include correspondence, memos to file, maps, annual reports, expense reports, promotional materials, legal materials, blueprints, and photographs.

Original order of files has been maintained. Accordingly, there are six subseries, arranged in the following chronological groupings: 1956-1959; 1960; 1961; 1962-1964; 1965-1966; and 1967-1998. A few items pre- and post-date the subseries inclusive dates, perhaps because they were considered active (or closed) files and therefore carried forward (or backward). Researchers are advised to search in all subseries for a given subject file.

Researchers also should note that there is inconsistency in subject file titles across subseries. Files titled "Job Applicants" in one subseries, for example, may be titled "Personnel" in another. Likewise, files relating to the forestry service laboratory are variously titled "Forestry Announcement"; "Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture"; "United States Department of Agriculture: Forestry Sciences Lab"; and "Forestry Services". Researchers are advised to search for related subject files with both narrow and broad terms.

Correspondence, reports, and notes, relating chiefly to recruiting trips, infrastructure planning, construction, and publicity of Research Triangle Park. Faculty of University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, and Duke University traveled around the United States to recruit companies, organizations, and government agencies for relocation to the Research Triangle Park. Their expense and scouting reports are included here. Infrastructure and construction materials document planning of water line and gas easements and the Hanes Building. Promotional materials include brochures targeting chemical, electronics, and pharmaceutical industries. Also documented here are key contributors to the early development of the Research Triangle Park, including Luther Hodges; Romeo Guest; James B. Shea, Jr.; Pearson H. Stewart; George L. Simpson; and faculty members William F. Little, William D. Stevenson, Kenneth E. Penrod, and John Lee, all of whom assisted Simpson with recruiting trips. Also included here are correspondence files of job applicants seeking employment in the Park.

Correspondence and other materials relating to continuing planning, publicity, and recruitment for Research Triangle Park. Collaboration with community members and various North Carolina government agencies is documented. Other materials concern construction of Hanes Building and relocation announcements by Chemstrand Research Center, Inc. and the United States Department of Agriculture Forestry Sciences Laboratory. Also documented here are key contributors to the growing reputation of the Research Triangle Park, including Romeo Guest, William F. Little, and James B. Shea, Jr.

Correspondence and other materials relating to continuing planning, publicity, and recruitment for Research Triangle Park. Included are materials documenting the hiring of Lauchlin M. Currie as director of development for Research Triangle Park, with an office in New York City; and correspondence files for job applicants seeking employment in the Research Triangle Park. Also documented here are key contributors to the growing reputation of the Research Triangle Park, including George Watts Hill, Luther Hodges, and George L. Simpson.

Correspondence and other materials relating to continuing planning, publicity, and recruitment for the Research Triangle Park. Materials include documentation of daily operations, including expanding contact with accountants, architects, and North Carolina government agencies; relationships with chambers of commerce across North Carolina; magazine articles written about the Research Triangle Park; development of services in the Research Triangle Park; and correspondence files of job applicants seeking employment in the Research Triangle Park. Also documented here are key contributors to the growing reputation of the Research Triangle Park, including Elizabeth Aycock, Lauchlin M. Currie, George Geoghegan, George Watts Hill, Ned E. Huffman, Luther Hodges, James B. Shea, Jr., Pearson H. Stewart, and others.

Correspondence and other materials relating to the continuing planning, publicity, and recruitment for the Research Triangle Park. Correspondence documents recruitment and relocation of some companies, organizations, and government agencies, including Beaunit, Hercules, and the National Environmental Health Statistics Center; development of infrastructure and services in the Research Triangle Park; and outreach to the community by Collier Cobb, Jr., Archie K. Davis, Gordon Gray, George Watts Hill, Luther Hodges, Ned E. Huffman, and others. Also included are materials documenting discussions and examples of how to promote the Research Triangle Park, and requests for information about the Research Triangle Park from interested businesses, organizations, groups, job applicants, students, and the general public.

Correspondence and other materials relating to the daily operations, ongoing development, and future plans for the Research Triangle Park. Materials document day-to-day concerns and activities, including contact with insurers, lawyers, accountants, architects, job applicants, and visitors. Materials documenting ongoing development and future planning relate to infrastructure, including landfill location, sewage system, and highways; land acquisition; and other affairs of the Park. Other materials document recruitment and relocation of various companies, organizations, and government agencies to the Research Triangle Park, including Burroughs Wellcome; Becton, Dickinson and Co.; the National Center for Health Statistics; the National Humanities Center; and others. Also documented here are key contributors to the continued growth of the Research Triangle Park, including Elizabeth Aycock, Ned E. Huffman, Archie K. Davis, George Watts Hill, Robert E. Leak, and others.

Copies of outgoing letters and memoranda to file, chiefly of Ned E. Huffman, executive vice president of the Research Triangle Park from 1965 to 1987. Also included are Huffman's weekly status reports on meetings, prospects, and projects, including land acquisition and land management. Other materials include outgoing letters of Robert E. Leak, then president of the Research Triangle Foundation; and of Pearson H. Stewart, then vice president of planning for the Research Triangle Foundation and co-founder and president of the Triangle Land Conservancy.