W. Fred Duckworth Papers, 1908/1979

Access and use

Location of collection:
Old Dominion University
3023 Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library
Old Dominion University
4427 Hampton Blvd
Norfolk, VA 23529
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jessica Ritchie
Phone: (757) 683-4483
Fax: (757) 683-5954
Restrictions:

Open to researchers without restrictions.

Terms of access:

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], W. Fred Duckworth Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
22.20 Linear Feet and 2 Hollinger document cases, 15 oversize boxes boxes
Creator:
Duckworth, W. Fred (1899-1972)
Abstract:
Mayor of Norfolk (1950-1962). Collection consists of memorabilia, photographs, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, and artifacts relating to his political, business and civic activities.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], W. Fred Duckworth Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of documents, artifacts, newspaper clippings, photos, and scrapbooks documenting the activities of W. Fred Duckworth in politics, as a businessman, and as a civic leader. Of particular note are the documents related to Duckworth's role in the desegregation of Norfolk Public Schools in the 1950s and 1960s.

Biographical / historical:

William 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 re-election in 1962. Among his accomplishments as mayor of Norfolk include 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 shot and killed while taking his regular nightly walk near his Norfolk apartment. No one was ever charged with the crime.

Note written by Special Collections Staff

Acquisition information:

Betty Duckworth Farrand

Gift. Accession #A80-23

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into four series: Series I: Papers; Series II: Memorabilia; Series III: Oversize Photographs and Certificates; and Series IV: Oversize Albums and Scrapbooks.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard