Cleveland, TN–The Dixon Research Center on the campus of Lee University recently received a grant from the Tennessee Historical Records Advisory Board. The grant will go toward preserving historical records of Lee University and its former presidents.
The Tennessee grant program distributes money to non-profit archives to preserve the historical records of Tennessee and is funded by the National Historical Records and Publications Commission.
Established in 1918 by the Church of God as Bible Training School, Lee University is now third largest of Tennessee’s private universities and has been home of the Research Center since its creation in 1971 by former Lee president and Church of God General Overseer Dr. Charles W. Conn. The Dixon Research Center is a special library and archives related to the world-wide Pentecostal movement.
Holdings include over 10,000 cataloged books and periodicals along with information files and recorded media. The archives house more than 846 linear feet of historical records of the Church of God and the university.
Among the documents being preserved with the grant funds are university records created between 1947 and 1993 as well as the personal papers of former president Dr. Ray H. Hughes Sr.
Hughes served as president of Lee University on two occasions and as general overseer of the Tennessee based Church of God on three occasions. His influence extended to leadership of the National Association of Evangelicals, the Pentecostal Fellowship of North America and the Pentecostal World Conference. These records do not exist anywhere else in the world and are increasingly important as Lee University approaches its centennial year.
According to Center Director Dr. David Roebuck, “This project will include assessing these records to determine which ones should be preserved, transferring them to archival quality folders and boxes, and preparing a guide for each of the collections.”
Roebuck noted that much of the work is being done by volunteers. Former head librarian at Lee Frances Arrington is serving as the lead volunteer. Before her retirement she was director of Squires Library and a long-time member of the Lee University faculty. She has processed several other collections for the Dixon Research Center. Retired pastors William and Melissa Roebuck are also working on the project.
Dr. Roebuck commented, “There is always plenty of interesting work to be done here at the Research Center. We are especially thankful for our community of retired ministers and other professionals who contribute to our ministry of preserving our great heritage.”
Tennessee State Representative Kevin Brooks stated, “It is an honor to represent this wonderful district, filled with such historical artifacts. Cleveland and Bradley County contain so many treasures that must be preserved. I am grateful to join with my colleagues in the House to support grants such as this…If we do not take the time, effort and expense to preserve our past, then we cannot fully appreciate our present, nor effectively plan for our future. As a graduate of Lee University and a beneficiary of the vast Dixon PRC collections, it is personally and professionally gratifying to see the awarding of this worthy grant. Congratulations Dr. Roebuck and the staff of the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center.”
This is the second grant awarded to the Research Center during Roebuck’s leadership as director. In 2000 the center received a National Endowment for the Humanities preservation grant for equipment and staff training. Additionally, Lee University and the Appalachian College Association have provided other grants for research and staff training.