Burnis H. Thornton photographs

Collection

Identifier: NCC-0177

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection is primarily composed of photographs taken by Theodore Burnis Thornton of houses his father Burnis Hillman Thornton built and later photos taken by another son of Burnis's, Victor Thornton, for comparison. Materials also include a photograph index, newspaper clippings, and a program for Thornton's funeral.

Dates

ca. 1950-1991, undated

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions.

Biographical / Historical

Burnis Hillman (B. H.) Thornton was possibly the first African-American bonded contractor in the state of North Carolina. Born in 1906 in Warrenton, NC, he attended North Carolina A&T State University and remained actively involved as an alumnus throughout his life. He served as education director and boxing coach at the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp in Rutherford County, NC, and as director of the United Servicemen’s Organization (USO) on Fayetteville Street in Durham. He was involved in education as a school principal and teacher, including service in Durham City Schools, before his work as general contractor and proprietor of Thornton Builders, Inc., in Durham. Thornton was a member of White Rock Baptist Church, Omega Psi Phi fraternity, and the Freemasons. He died in 1991. The collection was donated by two of Thornton's children.