Self-portrait of M.S. Brown

Photos from the M.S. Brown Collection are now available on DigitalNC. The collection includes hundreds of photographs taken by Milton Steele Brown throughout the early to mid 1900s, and prominently features citizens, organizations, and events taking place in Tarboro, N.C., Rocky Mount, N.C., and surrounding Edgecombe County areas.

Grand Stands in the baseball field

Known locally as “Coca Cola” Brown, M.S. Brown opened a Coca-Cola plant in Tarboro in the early 1900s and served as a town commissioner. He was active in community organizations and local government, regularly attending and assisting with various events. As an avid photographer, Brown documented Coca-Cola sponsored events, town social gatherings — such as baseball games, 4-H Club meetings, and the Gallopade Parade — and historical sites such as the Tarboro Town Common and the Barracks.

Annual Meeting for Edgecombe County Bureau at the baseball field. August 24, 1946. People at the baseball field during a 4-H Club Event, surrounding the Coca-Cola crates.

Additionally, Brown photographed active community members, including the Tarboro Merchants Association secretary Mary Godfrey and Congressman L.H. Fountain.

Miss Mary Godfrey at her desk and Congressman L.H. Fountain (center) at Belk-Tyler’s ribbon cutting.

This extensive collection covers over 40 years of Tarboro and Edgecombe County history. It is an ongoing project with the Edgecombe County Memorial Library, with more images expected in the future.

A collection about the 1972 Farmville Centennial Celebration, from the Farmville Public Library, is now available at DigitalNC.org.

The collection includes over 100 photos of Farmville residents on the day of the celebration, including librarians, principals, lawyers, policemen, doctors, and local business owners dressed in historical clothing to commemorate the special event. Also pictured are Congressman Walter B. Jones and First Lady Mrs. Pat Nixon.

The photos were taken all around Farmville’s downtown, mostly along Main Street in front of businesses and buildings still standing today. There are photos of the celebration’s parade, including the crowds, floats, and parade participants.

The collection also includes Farmville’s 100th Anniversary book, which provides the 100 year history of the town, including its first settlers and collected histories of Farmville’s businesses, politicians, citizens, churches, railroads, and schools. The book highlights the Centennial Celebration’s planning and activities, providing more photos and a description of the events. The book focuses on how the town was developed and how it has grown over the years, with many images of and much more information about the people essential to its history and future.