Elizabeth Davis Reid Murray | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Raleigh City Council | |
| In office 1973–1974 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 10, 1925 |
| Died | March 13, 2014 (aged 88) |
| Spouse(s) | James W. Reid, Dr. Raymond L. Murray |
| Children | Michael Ernest Reid Nancy Kennedy Reid Baker |
| Education | Meredith College |
| Occupation | Historian, Preservationist |
Elizabeth Reid Murray (June 10, 1925 – March 13, 2014) was an American historian and preservationist known for her extensive documentation of Wake County, North Carolina's history.
Elizabeth Reid Murray, born Mary Elizabeth Davis in Wadesboro, North Carolina, was the daughter of Dr. James M. Davis and Mary Kennedy Little Davis. She graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh in 1946.
Murray held various roles throughout her career, including:
The Wake County Historical Society asked Elizabeth Reid Murray to write a history of Wake County to be ready for the 1971 county bicentennial. She did extensive research, and it soon became evident it would not be possible to meet the 1971 deadline. The Society and she dissolved the partnership. Mrs. Murray continued her research on her own, and 12 years later in 1983, published her first volume of Wake County history entitled, “Wake: Capital County of North Carolina.”. The second volume, spanning reconstruction through 1920 was published in 2008.
These works are considered foundational texts on Wake County's history and provide a comprehensive history of Wake County from its earliest days to the modern era.
Together, the books serve as definitive resources on Wake County's historical, social, and cultural development.
In 2006, she donated an extensive collection of manuscripts, slides, postcards, and photographs to the Olivia Raney Local History Library, forming a comprehensive resource for researchers. The full collection consists of over 600 boxes. The collection contains Murray's personal notes—often on small strips of paper—photocopies of source materials, newspaper clippings, and related research supporting her books on Wake County. The material has been broken down into two main archives:
The Architecture archive spans 1781–2007, with a focus on materials from the 1870s–1990s. It highlights Murray's meticulous documentation and her commitment to preserving the architectural and historical legacy of Wake County. It is organized into three series:
This archive encompasses topics such as agricultural practices, legislation, and industries in North Carolina, including farming, livestock, tobacco, cotton, dairy, cooperative marketing, gardening, recycling, watersheds, and bodies of water, reflecting the region's agricultural and environmental history. The documents span from 1800 to 2004, with the majority of the materials dating from the 1860s to the 1990s. These documents provide valuable insights into the agricultural practices and environmental history of Wake County, supporting Murray's broader efforts to chronicle the county's historical development.
Elizabeth Reid Murray was deeply involved in numerous volunteer efforts throughout her life, contributing to the preservation of history, education, and the arts. Her extensive volunteer work included service with the following organizations: