Joe Thompson, Jr. Nashville Social Events Scrapbooks, ca. 1946-ca. 1957.
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Arrangement: chronological.

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

In library use only. Available by appointment.

One volume of accession #2005.013 was dismantled and rehoused into archival folders, according to the original order of the scrapbook.

Scope and content: A five-volume scrapbook collection, compiled by Nashville insurance executive Joe Thompson, Jr. with themes related to Nashville's community, civic, and business leadership during the 1940s and 1950s. Each scrapbook is indexed by personal names, primarily relating to events in the lives of Thompson's many insurance customers. The scrapbooks include primarily newspaper clippings from the "Society" sections of the Nashville Banner and the Nashville Tennessean, with some photographs and ephemera. The collection includes several biographical sources pertaining to the Thompsons prior to their marriage, as newlyweds, and about his early career with Northwestern Mutual Insurance Company and civic leadership role in Nashville. Additional themes in the scrapbooks include, but are not limited to, wedding engagements, charitable events, Vanderbilt alumni, the "Bal d'Hiver" Debutante Ball, Nashville Junior League, sports, and the Young Men's Division of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce.

Scrapbook, ca. 1946-ca. 1950 (Acc. #2004.062: 1 bound volume). In addition to Nashville social and business themes in the scrapbook series, this volume includes sources about social events hosted at the Belle Meade Country Club, such as the Bachelors' Club of Nashville dinner dance and the "Bal d'Hiver" sponsored by Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae. It includes sources pertaining to several Vanderbilt alumni, community leaders, and members of the Junior League of Nashville and the Girls' Cotillion Club. Includes newspaper articles and photographs related to Miss Martha Cawthon Crook (Thompson) and Joe Thompson, Jr. Includes photographs and ephemera related to the 90th birthday party of Professor C. B. Wallace, founder of the Wallace University School.

Scrapbook, ca. 1949-ca. 1952 (Acc. #2004.062: 1 bound volume). Additional thematic subjects relate to the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Belle Meade Country Club events, Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club of Nashville, Nashville Junior Chamber of Commerce, Nashville Boosters, military servicemen, wedding receptions, Nashville Junior League, the 1950 Tri-Delta Hay Day. Includes information about the "Bal d'Hiver" Debutante Ball, the "Bachelor's Club," and one issue of "Presbyterian Men" (April, 1952).

Scrapbook, ca. 1952-ca. 1953 (Acc. #2005.013: 82 folders). Additional thematic subjects relate to the Junior League of Nashville, the "Bachelor's Club," Nashville Junior Chamber of Commerce, among other topices. Includes a photograph of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company Second Career School (1947); a pictorial illustration of "The Shawnee Club" by Taylor & Crabtree; and a published obituary of Dr. Jere L. Crook.

Scrapbook, ca. 1954-ca. 1956 (Acc. 2005.013: 1 bound volume). Additional topics relate to the Nashville Symphony Guild Luncheon, Third National Bank Directors, Hillwood Country Club, Nashville Girls' Cotillion Club Dance, Women's Division of the 1955 Cancer Crusade, Auxiliary to the Nasvhille Academy of Medicine, Tennessee athlete Joe Davis (article by Grantland Rice II), the Delbert Mann family, Children's Mardi Gras, and Vanderbilt University's Learned Laboratory. Includes a newspaper clipping of Joe Thompson, Jr., portraying his forefather, Judge John Overton.

Scrapbook, ca. 1956-ca. 1957 (Acc. 2005.013: 1 bound volume). Additional topics relate to the Davidson County Medical Auxiliary, the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Twig Board at Hillwood Country Club, and Mardi Gras. Includes a biographical article about Mrs. Sam Orr, a great grand-daughter of Judge John Overton, the builder of Travelers Rest.

Cite as: Joe Thompson, Jr. Nashville Social Events Scrapbooks, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library

This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code)

Joe Thompson, Jr.,Gift;,2004.,Acc. 2004.062.

Joe Thompson, Jr.,Gift;,2005.,Acc. 2005.013.

Related Materials: Joe Thompson Jr. is featured in the videorecording "Volunteers for Victory" produced by WSMV and Demetria Kaladimos.

Related Materials: Joe Thompson Jr. Papers, World War II Series, Veterans History Project, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library.

Associated Materials: Joe Thompson, Jr. Papers, Special Collections and University Archives Department, Jean and Alexander Heard Library, Vanderbilt University.

Joseph "Tiger Joe" H. Thompson, Jr. was born in Nashville, Tennessee on June 8, 1919. He attended and graduated from Wallace University School in 1937, a preparatory school emphasizing character and scholarship. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in biology in Spring, 1941, and entered the Army Air Corps in August. Thompson was attached to a Royal Air Force squadron for training, and served in the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron and 109th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of the 9th Air Force. Thompson was awarded the American Distinguished Flying Cross and the French Croix de Guerre. After the war, in 1945, he returned home to Nashville and began his new career in the field of insurance, marrying Martha Cawthon Crook Thompson, of Jackson, Tennessee in 1948 and together they had four children. His career was with Northwestern Mutual Insurance Company, spanning more than sixty years of distinguished service as an insurance agent and executive, winning many national honors and participating in civic and community leadership in Nashville. Thompson served as president of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of First Presbyterian Church. In 2006, Thompson wrote "Tiger Joe: A Photographic Diary of a World War II Aerial Reconnaissance Pilot" with Tom Delvaux, published by Eveready Press. On March 15, 2012, for his service during World War II, he received the Legion of Honor, France's highest award. He died scarcely a week later on March 24, 2012.

In English

Finding aid available in repository;,folder level control.