Last Friday, we introduced the first blog by Wachovia's Archivist, Sue Choate. Today, Guided By History introduces her colleague, Trudy Cox. Trudy has worked in the Archives for 16 years, is a former teacher and is active at church. Wells Fargo and Wachovia are very proud of our histories, and this blog is very proud to welcome our friends in Winston-Salem! (CR)
Until I became one, the word "archivist" conjured up an image of a humorless, bespectacled little old lady sitting on a wooden stool, leafing through old leather ledgers as dust particles prompt an occasional cough. Eventually I found out that wooden stools, old ledgers and dust particles don't make you lose your sense of humor.
Not only that, but a Wachovia employee from decades ago provided me proof that laughter is as timeless as good customer service.
Any student of the unusual name "Wachovia" quickly learns that it carried much meaning for the Moravian 
settlers of North Carolina. Because the Moravians had such affection for their European benefactor, Count Von Zinzendorf , they chose to purchase land in the Piedmont area of North Carolina, which reminded them of Zinzendorf's ancestral home in Germany. The beautiful "Der Wachau" valley beside the Danube River inspired the Moravians to name their new home "Der Wachau," which eventually became the more easily pronounced "Wachovia."
Being more easily pronounced did not mean that it was more easily spelled, however.
In the 1930s, a bank employee with a keen sense of humor noticed unusual spellings on correspondence coming to the bank. He began keeping a file of envelopes and letters sent to employees of Wachovia Bank where the spelling of Wachovia was, well...anything but Wachovia! It is a tribute to the United States Postal Service that the letters reached the folks for whom they were intended.
Many letters were addressed to Wachovia in Wachovia, North Carolina. One that reached the bank was sent to Wachovia, Winston-Salem, North Charleston, South Carolina! If only a small portion of the address was correct, it seems that the letter still made its way to someone at the well-respected Wachovia. Indeed, one envelope was addressed to "Leading Bank" and another had a drawn logo on the front of the envelope! We can only hope the writer of another envelope was not planning a trip to Winston-Salem, as the address read "Wicaavia Bank Building, Winston Street, Salem, North Carolina."
Other bank name variations on addresses included: Witcheovia, Wychavoia, Wachtoria, Wacovici, W.A. Chovia, Wahozia, Wacleavia, Washoma, Jachovia, Hachova and Qachovia!
As I continue to research questions about the origin of the name Wachovia and refer to this file, I am always reminded that archiving can be fun, that humor is essential, and that bankers really do know how to laugh.
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