From March 17, 2023 post.
Happy Throwback Thursday from the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room!
These photos are from the Hargrave 50th anniversary celebration in October 1964 for Zoel Sylvester Hargrave, Sr. (1891-1973) and Fannie Latta Hargrave (1892-1990). This celebration, hosted by their six children, was a major social event in the Black community–it was the first time a Black family held an event in uptown Charlotte at the elegant Barringer Hotel at 426 North Tryon Street.
Zoel was born in Lexington, North Carolina, but his desire for higher education brought him to Charlotte where he graduated from Biddle University (now known as Johnson C. Smith University, JCSU) in 1910. He dedicated his career to government service, retiring from the U.S. Postal Service.
Fannie was a teacher and principal in Mecklenburg County, and in her retirement, she worked for decades as a hostess in Biddle University’s dining hall. She lovingly became known as the students’ “surrogate mother-away-from-home.” Fannie hosted many dinner parties with tables decorated with fine china, silver, and crystal settings. Somehow, she found time to make homemade ice cream every Sunday for the neighborhood children.
To learn more about the Hargrave family, and to see more materials from their donation, join the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room Facebook Group!
Source can be found here.
