ODU University Archives
3000 Perry Library4427 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23529
Telephone: 757-683-5350
libspecialcollections@odu.edu
URL: https://www.odu.edu/library/special-collections
Sonia Yaco; Kathleen Smith
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use
Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers without restrictions.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Source of Acquisition
Francis N. Crenshaw
Method of Acquisition
Gift. Accession #A76-65
Accruals and Additions
Second accession: 8/25/1978
Biographical or Historical Information
A member of the Old Dominion University Board of Visitors from 1968-1976, Francis Nelson Crenshaw was born in 1922 in Washington, D.C. After earning both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Virginia, Francis Crenshaw became a resident of the Tidewater area and lived there for over fifty years.
Beginning his law career in 1948 with Edwin J. Smith, a Norfolk lawyer, Francis Crenshaw joined the firm of Baird, White, and Lanning in 1951. After a year, Mr. Crenshaw became a partner of the firm which later changed its name to Crenshaw, Ware, and Martin. Crenshaw was the senior partner of the firm until his retirement in 1997.
Francis Crenshaw was a member of several local, state, and national bar associations. Among the offices which he held within these associations were the President of the Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association and Chairman of the Virginia Bar Association. In addition to these professional associations, Francis Crenshaw had been active in Norfolk civic and service organizations. Serving on the Board of Directors of Norfolk's Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Crenshaw was also a member and former chairman of the Norfolk City School Board from 1956 to 1964. During his years on the Old Dominion University Board of Visitors, Crenshaw served on several committees of the Board and he was Rector from 1970 to 1976. Crenshaw was also the attorney for the Norfolk Redevelopment Housing Association, a position which he held from 1951 to the mid-1990s.
The papers in the final series are those of Captain Russell S. Crenshaw, the father of Francis Crenshaw. Captain Crenshaw was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1886 and was appointed from Virginia to the US Naval Academy entering the class of 1907. He first served for five years on the Battleship Virginia , all of his service being in the gunnery department. He also served as Navigator of the Celtic , a fleet supply ship, and later as Radio Officer of the Panama Canal Zone. During most of World War I, Captain Crenshaw was located in Washington in convoy and routing duty, for which he received the US Army Distinguished Service Medal and a Navy letter of commendation. Subsequent assignments included Gunnery Officer of the USS Tennessee , Executive Officer of the USS Augusta and Commander of the Pensacola . Ashore, he served as Commander of the Naval Mine Depot at Yorktown, Virginia and as Assistant Commandant, Fifth Naval District, Norfolk, Virginia. Having retired from this position and active duty in 1946, Captain Crenshaw died in 1975.
Francis N. Crenshaw passed away on January 26, 2012 at Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital. He was predeceased by his first wife Jane Elizabeth Treadwell Crenshaw and survived by his second wife Anne Alfriend Abbitt Crenshaw as well as his three daughters and two step-sons.
Note written by Sonia Yaco; Kathleen Smith
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of the personal papers of Francis N. Crenshaw that document his career as well as his father, Captain Russell S. Crenshaw. The collection covers Francis N. Crenshaw's tenure on the Old Dominion Univeristy Board of Visitors. The collection also contains the naval orders of Crenshaw's father, Captain Russell Crenshaw, while he served in World War II.
Arrangement Note
The collection is organized into two series: Series I: Francis N. Crenshaw; and Series II: Captain Russell Crenshaw.
Related Material
Oral Histories in the Perry Library: Francis N. Crenshaw
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Urban renewal--Virginia--Norfolk
- College administrators--United States
- Crenshaw, Russell S. (1886-1975)
- Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority
- Old Dominion University--Administrators
- Old Dominion University--Buildings and grounds
- Old Dominion University--History
- Old Dominion University. Board of Visitors
- United States. Navy--Officers
- World War, 1939-1945
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Crenshaw, Francis N. (1922-2012)
- Crenshaw, Russell S. (1886-1975)
Container List
This series contains subject files concerning Francis N. Crenshaw's service as a member of the Old Dominion University Board of Visitors and as Rector of the Board. The series is arranged in alphabetical order.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
Box 1
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 1 Folder 1
Folder 1: American Association of Univeristy Professors (AAUP)undatedPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 1, American Association of Univeristy Professors (AAUP), undated, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 2 Folder 2
Folder 2: Academic Matters1971 September-1972 JanuaryPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 2, Academic Matters, 1971 September-1972 January, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 3 Folder 3
Folder 3: Academic Matters--ODU Law School1971 December-1972 NovemberPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 3, Academic Matters--ODU Law School, 1971 December-1972 November, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 4 Folder 4
Folder 4: Academic Matters1972 March-DecemberPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 4, Academic Matters, 1972 March-December, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 5 Folder 5
Folder 5: Academic Matters1973 January-AprilPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 5, Academic Matters, 1973 January-April, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 6 Folder 6
Folder 6: Crenshaw Biography1970-1977Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 6, Crenshaw Biography, 1970-1977, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 7 Folder 7
Folder 7: Foundation Fellowship1968-1971Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 7, Foundation Fellowship, 1968-1971, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 8 Folder 8
Folder 8: Iranian Naval Academy Proposal1975-1976Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 8, Iranian Naval Academy Proposal, 1975-1976, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 9 Folder 9
Folder 9: Litigation1971 November-1973 SeptemberPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 9, Litigation, 1971 November-1973 September, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 10 Folder 10
Folder 10: Logaras Estate1971-1972Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 10, Logaras Estate, 1971-1972, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 11 Folder 11
Folder 11: Long Range Planning1971 FebruaryPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 11, Long Range Planning, 1971 February, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 12 Folder 12
Folder 12: Long Range Planning1973 MarchPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 12, Long Range Planning, 1973 March, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 13 Folder 13
Folder 13: Master Plan1968 November-1972 DecemberPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 13, Master Plan, 1968 November-1972 December, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 14 Folder 14
Folder 14: Master Plan1972-1978Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 14, Master Plan, 1972-1978, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 1 Folder 1
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Box 2
Box 2
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 1 Folder 1
Folder 1: Miscellaneous ODU1966 March-1969 AprilPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 1, Miscellaneous ODU, 1966 March-1969 April, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 2 Folder 2
Folder 2: Miscellaneous ODU1969 April-DecemberPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 2, Miscellaneous ODU, 1969 April-December, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 3 Folder 3
Folder 3: Miscellaneous ODU1970 January-JulyPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 3, Miscellaneous ODU, 1970 January-July, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 4 Folder 4
Folder 4: Miscellaneous ODU1970 August-DecemberPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 4, Miscellaneous ODU, 1970 August-December, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 5 Folder 5
Folder 5: Miscellaneous ODU1970 December-1971 FebruaryPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 5, Miscellaneous ODU, 1970 December-1971 February, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 6 Folder 6
Folder 6: Miscellaneous ODU1971 March-AprilPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 6, Miscellaneous ODU, 1971 March-April, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 7 Folder 7
Folder 7: Miscellaneous ODU1971 May-JulyPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 7, Miscellaneous ODU, 1971 May-July, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 8 Folder 8
Folder 8: Miscellaneous ODU1971 August-SeptemberPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 8, Miscellaneous ODU, 1971 August-September, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 9 Folder 9
Folder 9: Norfolk State College1975 March-NovemberPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 9, Norfolk State College, 1975 March-November, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 10 Folder 10
Folder 10: City of Norfolk1972 May-OctoberPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 10, City of Norfolk, 1972 May-October, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 11 Folder 11
Folder 11: City of Norfolk1972 October-1974 JulyPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 11, City of Norfolk, 1972 October-1974 July, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 12 Folder 12
Folder 12: City of Norfolk Zoning Question1975 March-MayPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 12, City of Norfolk Zoning Question, 1975 March-May, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 1 Folder 1
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Box 3
Box 3
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 1 Folder 1
Folder 1: Oceanography1966 September-1976 AprilPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 1, Oceanography, 1966 September-1976 April, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 2 Folder 2
Folder 2: Private Financial Support Development Program1972 October-1973 MarchPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 2, Private Financial Support Development Program, 1972 October-1973 March, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 3 Folder 3
Folder 3: Retirement Policy1972 March-MayPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 3, Retirement Policy, 1972 March-May, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 4 Folder 4
Folder 4: State Council on Higher Education1973 May-SeptemberPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 4, State Council on Higher Education, 1973 May-September, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 1 Folder 1
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Box 3
Box 3
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 5 Folder 5
Folder 5: "Estimate of the Situation"--Naval Secret Document1943 February 14Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 5, "Estimate of the Situation"--Naval Secret Document, 1943 February 14, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 6 Folder 6
Folder 6: Naval Papers1927-1939Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 6, Naval Papers, 1927-1939, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 7 Folder 7
Folder 7: Naval Papers1940Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 7, Naval Papers, 1940, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 8 Folder 8
Folder 8: Naval Papers1941Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 8, Naval Papers, 1941, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 9 Folder 9
Folder 9: Naval Papers1942Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 9, Naval Papers, 1942, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 10 Folder 10
Folder 10: Naval Papers1943Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 10, Naval Papers, 1943, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 11 Folder 11
Folder 11: Naval Papers1944Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 11, Naval Papers, 1944, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 12 Folder 12
Folder 12: Naval Papers1945Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 12, Naval Papers, 1945, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 13 Folder 13
Folder 13: Naval Papers1946Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 13, Naval Papers, 1946, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 14 Folder 14
Folder 14: Naval Papers1948-1949Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 14, Naval Papers, 1948-1949, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 15 Folder 15
Folder 15: Memorabilia: White House Lettercirca 1945Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 15, Memorabilia: White House Letter, circa 1945, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 16 Folder 16
Folder 16: Memorabilia: 50th Anniversary Program for Class of 1907, USNA1957Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 16, Memorabilia: 50th Anniversary Program for Class of 1907, USNA, 1957, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 17 Folder 17
Folder 17: Memorabilia: 55th Anniversary Note on Class of 1907, USNA1962Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 17, Memorabilia: 55th Anniversary Note on Class of 1907, USNA, 1962, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 18 Folder 18
Folder 18: Miscellaneous: Shipmate--U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association1957Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 18, Miscellaneous: Shipmate--U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, 1957, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 19 Folder 19
Folder 19: Miscellaneous: "Anchors Away"undatedPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 19, Miscellaneous: "Anchors Away", undated, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 20 Folder 20
Folder 20: Miscellaneous: Calling CardsundatedPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 20, Miscellaneous: Calling Cards, undated, Francis N. Crenshaw Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 5 Folder 5