Wilkinson Family Collection on The Circus Tent, Inc., PC.5304

Abstract

The Wilkinson Family Collection on The Circus Tent, Inc., 1966-1987, consists of memorabilia collected by various members of the Wilkinson family (primarily Reverend Hank Wilkinson and his son, Scott) related to the Circus Tent, a Christian ministry, ice cream parlor, and music venue that operated in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, from 1968 to 1988. The collection includes brochures, clippings, scrapbook pages, and material related to the Circus Tent's house band, the New Hermeneutics, including sheet music, set lists, and 8 vinyl LP recordings of folk songs performed by the band.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Wilkinson Family Collection on The Circus Tent, Inc.
Call Number: PC.5304
Creator: Wilkinson family
Date: 1966-1987
Extent: 0.800 cubic feet
Language: English
Repository: Outer Banks History Center

Series Quick Links

Collection Contents

Restrictions on Access & Use

Access Restrictions

Available for research. Audiovisual materials may be inaccessible pending reformatting. Contac the Outer Banks History Center for more information.

Use Restrictions

Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by the United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying these materials.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], PC.5304, Wilkinson Family Collection on The Circus Tent, Inc., Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, NC, U.S.A.

Collection Overview

The Wilkinson Family Collection on The Circus Tent, Inc., 1966-1987, consists of memorabilia collected by various members of the Wilkinson family (primarily Reverend Hank Wilkinson and his son, Scott) related to the Circus Tent. The collection includes brochures, clippings, scrapbook pages, and material related to the Circus Tent's house band, the New Hermeneutics, including sheet music, set lists, and 8 vinyl LP recordings of folk songs performed by the band. Scrapbook pages primarily include photographs of the New Hermeneutics and Circus Tent volunteers as well as clippings related to the project. Other papers include a 1966 advertisement for a weekly screening of the Christian film Parable, a mockup of the artwork designed for the ice cream parlor menu and service window, an advertisement and order form for the New Hermeneutics' second album, several postcards depicting the Circus Tent's prayer garden, and a program for the Dunes of Dare Garden Club's 1971 flower show.

Arrangement Note

Alphabetical.

Biographical/Historical

The Circus Tent, Inc. was a Christian ministerial enterprise founded by Reverend Hank Wilkinson in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, in 1968. Wilkinson aimed to create a nondenominational, family-oriented summer Christian outreach program designed to attract tourists and families who might not otherwise attend a Sunday church service. With this goal in mind, Wilkinson constructed a large circus tent on U.S. Highway 158 (the Bypass) around milepost 8. The site also featured a concrete building that served as an ice cream parlor, where attendees could buy treats like the "Fat Lady Sundae" and the "Fire Eater Special." Adjacent to the tent was a prayer garden created by the Dunes of Dare Garden Club that was nationally recognized for its landscaping.

In addition to serving as a place of fellowship and worship, the Circus Tent was a music venue and home of the house band, the New Hermeneutics, who played popular Christian music and folk songs nightly during the summer months. The project was staffed by approximately 300 volunteers from local church congregations and sponsored by the Dare County Ministerial Association, Town of Kill Devil Hills, and Kiwanis Club of the Outer Banks. It operated until 1988.

Contents of the Collection

1. Brochures, 1968-1975

Brochures, 1968-1975

Box 1

2. Clippings, 1970-1972

Clippings, 1970-1972

Box 1

3. Other Papers, 1966-1971

Other Papers, 1966-1971

Box 1

4. Scrapbook Pages, 1968-1987

Scrapbook Pages, 1968-1987

Box 1

5. Sheet Music and Set Lists, circa 1968-1975

Sheet Music and Set Lists, circa 1968-1975

Box 1

6. Sound Recordings, circa 1969-1975

The New Hermeneutics Sing Folk Songs from the Circus Tent [vinyl record], circa 1969-1975

AV Box 1

The New Hermeneutics Vol. II [vinyl record], circa 1969-1975

AV Box 1

The New Hermeneutics Vol. III [vinyl record], circa 1969-1975

AV Box 1

The New Hermeneutics: The Circus Tent Sings [Vol. IV] [vinyl record], circa 1969-1975

AV Box 1

The New Hermeneutics Vol. V: Come Sing About Love [vinyl record], circa 1969-1975

AV Box 1

The New Hermeneutics Vol. VI: Consider All Joy! [vinyl record], circa 1969-1975

AV Box 1

The New Hermeneutics Vol. VII: O Happy Day! [vinyl record], circa 1969-1975

AV Box 1

Well Come On, Sonshine! The New Hermeneutics Sing Live! [Vol. 8] [vinyl record], circa 1969-1975

AV Box 1

Subject Headings

The Circus Tent (Kill Devil Hills, N.C.)

New Hermeneutics

Church work--North Carolina--Kill Devil Hills

Folk music--North Carolina--Kill Devil Hills

Folk songs--North Carolina--Kill Devil Hills

Music--North Carolina--Kill Devil Hills

Kill Devil Hills (N.C.)--History--20th century

Kill Devil Hills (N.C.)--Social life and customs--20th century

Acquisitions Information

Donated by Scott Wilkinson, August 2018.

Processing Information

Processed by Samantha Crisp, September 2019.