Bill Rhinehart, of the Bill and Maureen Rhinehart Rare Book Collection on British History, passed away on March 18, 2025. You may not have had the chance to meet Bill during his visits to campus, but if you are familiar with the room bearing his name in the alcove at the top of the main staircase in Belk Library & Information Commons, you’ve been nearby. I had the privilege of working with him for many years as the curator of his rare book collection, which is part of the Special Collections Research Center. Since it is likely that you may not have met Bill, I would like to share a few memories from my experiences working with him to acquaint you.
First and foremost, Bill Rhinehart was an enthusiastic person. When he called on the telephone, his typical greeting of “Hello, Greta!” boomed through the phone’s receiver and prompted a similarly robust response. He enjoyed regaling me about his latest finds in British rare books, and, most importantly, informing me that said treasured books were in the mail to be added to his collection. Similarly, his beautiful penmanship figuratively exploded off of the paper and visually conveyed his enthusiasm for all things related to Appalachian State (his alma mater, 1956, 1957), British studies, and the App State students whom he envisioned using his books for their assignments. He signed every letter “Go Apps,” and as a former cheerleader, he meant it.
Appalachian State Teachers College cheerleaders, 1955-1956. Bill Rhinehart is second from the right in the back row. Photo from the Appalachian State University Archives.
Letter written by Bill Rhinehart to collection curator, Greta Browning, 2018.
He loved beautiful books and, especially, older ones in good condition. His collection contains over 1,000 volumes and reflects his discerning eye. He expressed to me once that he did not like to see books tied with cotton library ribbon (to hold loose covers on). So, he generously funded the conservation of books that needed repair. After a career in education, he knew that students would be more likely to engage with his books if they didn’t look like they were about to fall apart.
Leather and cloth bindings in the Rhinehart Collection.
Frontispiece and title page from The History of the Most Renowned and Victorious Princess Elizabeth, Late Queen of England by William Camden (1688).
When Bill visited campus, he loved to spend time with his books in the Rhinehart Room. He’s the only person whom I’ve ever met who stood in a public building and said, “I’ll be in my room.” Friends of Bill’s have periodically visited the library, expressly to see the room and admire it. I started working in Special Collections after the room was dedicated in 2005, but Bill’s close attention to its decor and as a home for the Rhineharts’ books continued to be a topic of great interest for him.
The Bill and Maureen Rhinehart Rare Books Room, located on the 4th floor of Belk Library and Information Commons.
Bill Rhinehart in his room, looking at his books.
Thanks to Bill and Maureen Rhinehart, many students have had the opportunity to share in the Rhineharts’ passion for British studies and rare books. Numerous undergraduate and graduate students have either had rare book instruction sessions in their room or have used the collection in their course papers and assignments. Several Rhinehart Postdoctoral Fellows from the History Department have used the collection in their scholarly writing and in lectures. Special Collections has hosted open houses and pop-up exhibits using books from their collection.
Students in HIS 3145, "Experiencing the Middle Ages," examine two 12th Century manuscript leaves in the Rhinehart Collection during their visit to Special Collections in Fall 2022.
Students visit the Rhinehart Room for a Downton Abbey-themed open house in 2014.
Rhinehart Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Victoria Jackson's 2018 lecture included a pop-up exhibit of related books from the Rhinehart Collection.
I will miss Bill’s greetings and our discussions, but his legacy will live through the Rhinehart Collection and the Rhinehart Room.
A few resources about the Bill and the Rhinehart Collection:
Oral History with Bill Rhinehart
Bill Rhinehart
Bill Rhinehart