Descriptive Summary
Title: Harold Hayslett Collection
Span Dates: 1970-1980
ID No: Sc2023-030
Creator: Harold McCordle Hayslett
Extent: 1 oversized folder
Language: English
Repository: West Virginia State Archives, Charleston, WV
Administrative Information
Provinance: This collection was donated to West Virginia Archives and History at The Cultural Center by David W. Chandler, 2018.
Preferred Citation: [item, collection number], West Virginia State Archives, Charleston, WV.
Processor: Processed by an intern, 2018; Bethany Arbaugh, 2023
Conditions on Use and Access: None
Copyright: Copyright restrictions may apply.
Processing Notes: Collection was processed by an intern in 2018 and by Bethany Arbaugh in 2023.
Sources of Information:
"Harold M. Hayslett." Charleston Gazette-Mail, Charleston Gazette, 11 June 2019, https://www.wvgazettemail.com/obituaries/archives/harold-m-hayslett/article_600c9c4d-582c-54e3-8516-dbc63b080122.html.
"Violin Maker Waits . . . . and Waits . . . " Charleston Gazette, 9 Mar. 1973.
Historical Note: Harold McCordle Hayslett was born in Putnam County, West Virginia, on December 26, 1917. In 1946, Harold married Louise Carpenter.
During World War II, Harold served as Staff Sergeant in the E Troop of the 106th Cavalry Squadron of the Third Army in France for four years. After the war, Harold and Louise moved to South Charleston. He had a job as a pipefitter with Union Carbide while she worked as the city librarian.
Hayslett was an award-winning luthier, and began the hobby in 1952. In 1980, Harold was awarded the gold medal for cello tone at the Violin Society of America International Competition and Exhibition. He released Building a Cello with Harold in 1996. In 2016, he received the Governor's Arts Award. He has a permanent exhibit at the West Virginia Culture Center, listed in The Violin Makers of the United States and the West Virginia Encyclopedia. Over his career, he made 86 violins, 14 violas, 65 cellos, one bass viol, and six bows.
Harold Hayslett died on February 14, 2018, at 100 years old.
Scope and Content: The collection is largely plans, templates and drawings of string instruments that Hayslett created.
Inventory List
Oversized Folder
1. Cello paper template with Harold's drawings, notes and measurements
2. Complete set of diagrams of a violin furnished by Ivan Allison. Drawn by John C. McGinnes
3. Vellum drawing of a cello
4. Vellum viola drawing
5. Paper drawing of a violin
6. Paper violin scroll template
7. 8 paper cello bridge drawings
8. 7 paper assorted "f" hole drawings
9. Cardboard drawing of a scroll
10. Paper drawing of Hayslett's one and only mandolin
11. Cardboard viola templates with handwritten measurements on a separate sheet
12. Small sound postcard
13. 2 business cards
14. Invoice dated Jan.2, 1974 from SHAR Products Company
15. Spool Drive pulley
16. Invoice dated Sept.8, 1971 from Kanawha Valley Schools
17. Drawing of a F.C. Pfretzschner bow by Harold Hayslett
18. Drawing of Stanley Bumgardner's Albert Nurnberger violin bow by Harold Hayslett