Prenith L. (Bob) Bartley Collection

775 THL

Inventory created by Archives Staff 01/2012. Last revised 02/2021.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: Collection is open to all researchers.

USE RESTRICTIONS: Restrictions may apply concerning the use, photoduplication, or publication of items in this collection. Consult a member of the archives staff for information concerning these restrictions. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright.

TECHNICAL ACCESS: Scrapbooks in this collection have been digitized (PDF & TIFF) and saved to a flash drive. A computer with USB port is required to view these items.

EXTENT: 0.42 linear feet; 1 flash drive

DATE: 1979 - 2014

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The Prenith L. (Bob) Bartley Collection contains items relating to Bartley’s life and work. Most of the materials record his community service with the Optimist International, the Masons, and the Shriners. There is also a Bartley family genealogy.

BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL: Prenith L. (Bob) Bartley was born in Kentucky on October 18, 1931, and moved with his family to Winchester, VA in 1937. His father, Arnold, purchased a shoe repair shop in Winchester which he operated for many years. After high school graduation he served in the Korean War. Bartley owned and operated Hess Shoe Store and Shoe Service in Berryville as well as the Triangle Diner, Grim’s Shoe Repair, and Bartley Real Estate. Bartley also received several patents for home inventions and wrote and recorded songs.

Bartley was active in a number of civic and fraternal organizations.  Bartley served as Governor of Optimist International of St. Louis, MO and as chief administrative officer of the Virginia Optimists clubs, the District of Columbia clubs, and clubs in West Virginia. With the Optimists he served two terms on the international leadership committee and moderated two international conventions.  He is a member of Winchester Hiram Lodge #21 A.M. & F.M. and served as Master. He was also a York Rite Mason and served as High Priest, Commander, and District Deputy Grand Master. As a Shriner he served twice as President of the Winchester Shrine Club and once of the Blue Ridge Shrine Club. 

CITE AS: Prenith L. (Bob) Bartley Collection, 775 THL, Stewart Bell Jr. Archives, Handley Regional Library, Winchester, VA, USA.

ACQUISITION INFORMATION: Acquired as a gift.

ORGANIZATION:

BOX 1

“1981-1986, P. L. (Bob) Bartley Serves Two Terms as Chairman of the Downtown Development Board,” 1 leaf, typescript

Bartley Family Genealogy, 3 items typescript

Winchester Hiram Lodge No. 21 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 14 items printed/typescript

Winchester Hiram Lodge No. 21 Installation of Officers Dec 1986, 3 items, printed

Winchester Shrine Club Kena Temple, 1 item printed

Knights Templar City of Winchester, 1 item printed

Virginia Royal Arch Masons, 2 items printed

Virginia Chapter Order of Knights Preceptor, 1 item printed

Achievement Awards Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, 3 items printed

Hiram Lodge No. 21, Winchester Evening Star newspaper articles, 1980s, 6 items printed

Music -- List of Songs that have been copyrighted by P. L. (Bob) Bartley, January 6, 2014, 9 leaves, printed

Music -- Recording Contracts – 6 Songs contracted to Majestic Records Corporation by P. L. (Bob) Bartley, 6 leaves, printed          
“It Hurts to See You Cry,” December 14, 2013           
“I’m Coming Home,” December 24, 2013           
“After the Lovin’s Over,” December 24, 2013           
“If You Hear a Heart Break,” January 14, 2014           
“After This Life,” January 17, 2014   
“Christmas Has Come Again My Dear,” February 7, 2014

Optimist International Dated Material 1957-1979, 31 items printed/typescript

Optimist International Dated Material 1980-2008, 28 items printed/typescript

Optimist Club of Winchester – History, 1 item typescript

Optimist Newspaper Articles, 13 items printed

Optimist Magazine Source Book Issue 1978, 1 item printed

Optimist International Undated Material, 12 items postcard typescript/handwritten

Optimist Ribbons, Tags, and Pins, 6 items – ribbons, tags, pins

Patents – 3 Patents received by P. L. (Bob) Bartley, 14 leaves, printed (folder includes the following):
Pocket Door Stop, February 3, 2014, 3 leaves
Personal Urine Funnel and transfer tube, September 26, 2013, 8 leaves
Razor Handle Modification, February 3, 2014, 3 leaves

Scrapbooks (digitized as PDF & TIFFs, kept with collection on flash drive), 2 volumes:

Scrapbook #1 (includes the following):
Photographs
Correspondence
Activities of Winchester Optimist Club, 1965-1966,                              
President William “Bill” Locke                      

Scrapbook #2 (includes the following):
Photographs, Correspondence, club activities of Optimist Club, 1973-1974
Local Democratic Party Notices, photos of Virginia Lt. Gov. Raleigh Emery
Photos and Newspaper clips of Bob Bartley’s term as club president
May 2, 1974 Program for Apple Blossom Festival Luncheon
Death notice - Betty J. Campbell: born Feb. 10, 1929 - died Dec. 12, 1973  
Three letters dated 1979, 1980, 1981 regarding Bob Bartley’s term as governor of Capital – Virginia District, Optimist Club

PHOTOGRAPHS: Photographs and other images belonging to this collection may be accessed online through http://handley.pastperfectonline.com/