Ray Wilkes Goodrich Papers, PC.2019

Photographs and papers documenting the professional work of Ray W. Goodrich (1900-1975), a Winston-Salem photographic studio owner, award-winning photographer, and member of the N.C. Board of Photographic Examiners, 1940s-1950s. Includes material concerning Goodrich's involvement with the N.C. Board of Photographic Examiners; several certificates, business letters, a business logo, etc.; and 16 black and white photographs, 16x20; 1 color photograph, 16x20; 1 photograph hand colored with pastels, 16x20 (by Myrtle Whitmore Goodrich, Goodrich's wife); a black and white photograph, 8x10, of the Goodrich family, and 2 ca. 8x10 black and white group photos of professional photographers, including Goodrich.

Ray Wilkes Goodrich (1900-1975) was born to James Philo and Carolina Wilkes Goodrich, in Surry County, Virginia. He served in the armed forces during World War I, where he learned basic photography skills. Following the service he worked as a photographer in Richmond, Virginia, then served as head of the department of industrial photography at E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company.During that period Goodrich married Myrtle Whitmore (1903-1998) of Durham, North Carolina. Around 1920 he moved to Henderson where he established the Goodrich Studio. In 1927 Goodrich was elected president of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), Inc. Around 1940 he moved with his young family to Winston-Salem where he purchased the studio of Ben V. Matthews, and remained active until the 1960s. He was one the proponents for the formation of the State Board of Photographic Examiners, active from 1935 to 1949. In 1962 Goodrich won the National Award of the PPA, presented in recognition of outstanding service to professional photography.Goodrich's wife, Myrtle, was a daughter of Myrtle and Harry J. Whitmore. Her mother was born in North Carolina, while her father, a baker by trade, was born in Virginia. Myrtle Whitmore Goodrich assisted her husband in his photograhic studio work, and finished many of the portraits with pastels.

Ray Wilkes Goodrich

Myrtle Whitmore Goodrich

Goodrich Family

North Carolina Board of Photographic Examiners

Photographers

Winston-Salem (N.C.)

Forsyth County

Processed by Fran Tracy-Walls

Finding Aid by Fran Tracy-Walls