Webb family papers, 1901-1978 (bulk 1920-1960).
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Organized in to two series: I. Edward Webb; II. Christine Webb.,Arrangement of Series II: Loosely organized into music performances, theater performances, and lectures.

Materials housed in Special Collections Division of the Main Library, Nashville Public Library.

In library use only. Available by appointment.

Series I. Edward Webb consists of items dating from 1901 to 1913 which document the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), including some newsletters; a variety of business cards, advertising correspondence, and other ephemera especially relating to tailors, hardware and dry goods stores, and other merchants in downtown Nashville; a few items from 1905 about the Nashville Grays militia company, and a few programs relating to performing arts. Particularly noteworthy are items relating to a performance by John Philip Sousa and a list of liquors for sale "for medicinal purposes" by Leickhardt Drug Store.

Series II. Christine Webb consists of programs, advertisements, and clippings of selected performances in Nashville from 1923 to 1978, arranged loosely by type of performance, such as musical performances, theater performances, and lectures. The bulk of materials relate to musical performances and include numerous programs (1923-1978) from the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. There is also a significant quantity of materials for concerts at the Ryman Auditorium, mostly in the genre of classical music, including performers such as John McCormack, Marian Anderson, James Melton, and Joseph Macpherson. Other materials include programs and clippings for the Community Concert Association, Ward-Belmont Conservatory, performances at Peabody College, and a concert at Fisk given by the Howard University Glee Club in 1931. Programs from other musical performances at various local colleges, West End Methodist Church, War Memorial Auditorium and other venues are also included. Theater programs and clippings document touring professional plays and musicals performed almost exclusively at the Ryman Auditorium; note that theatrical materials are housed in a different folder than musical performances at the Ryman. There is also a folder related to lectures by emiment visiting speakers. One event featured a panel including Clarence Darrow, Quin O'Brien, Rabbi Julius Mark, and Bishop H.M. DuBose. Another lecture was by Ruth Bryan Owen, the American Minister to Denmark and daughter of William Jennings Bryan. At the end of the collection are a few miscellaneous items. Included are a 1958 program for the Nashville Arts Festival and a letter with advertising brochure from Loew's Vendome Theatre for an upcoming film. In a separate folder is an assortment of clippings from a variety of music and theater performances.

Cite as: Webb Family Papers, [Series information], [folder title or description of item,] Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library.

Copyright status is undetermined. Nashville Public Library does not have intellectual property rights to these materials.

Christine Webb,gift;,1992,RT-185.

A lifelong Nashvillian, Edward Webb was born around 1885. In 1913, he married Christine Glenn of Nashville. In 1918, they had a daughter, also named Christine, who never married. It is unclear, therefore, which of the two Christines - the mother or daughter, may have compiled the bulk of this collection. Edward Webb had several different jobs as a young man, including as a bookeeper and collections agent, but in 1930 he purchased the Jeffersonian newspaper, which merged with the Nashville Record in 1937. Webb was owner, editor and publisher of the Record until 1950, and then became manager until about 1966. He died in March 1970. Mrs. Webb was a graduate of Ward's Seminiary, and she died in 1958. Their daughter, Christine, graduated from Hume-Fogg High School and George Peabody College. She worked as a secretary at Westminster Presbyterian Church from 1953 to 1983, where she was also a member. She died on March 5, 2002.

In English.

Christine Webb (daughter of Edward and Christine Webb) was presumed to be the owner, based on a letter to Ms. Webb from Nashville Room staff, acknowledging her gift of materials that seem to be this collection.

process,2006;,Rose Mary Reed, volunteer.

process,2024;,Linda Barnickel,additions

No further accruals are expected.