A recently found report card envelope from West Havelock School, belonging to first-grader Stephen Krauchick (RetroSite founder), offers a snapshot of a time when local businesses played a key role in supporting public education. Printed on sturdy kraft paper and bearing the Chevrolet bowtie logo, the envelope was provided courtesy of Aubrey Johnson Chevrolet, Inc. of New Bern, North Carolina.
From the 1940s through the 1970s, schools across America often relied on partnerships with local merchants to furnish essential printed materials. Budgets were limited, and items such as report card envelopes, homework folders, and event programs were commonly paid for by nearby businesses in exchange for advertising space. This arrangement not only saved schools money but also gave companies a unique and lasting presence in local households.
Chevrolet dealerships were among the most visible sponsors, leveraging their strong community ties to keep their names in front of families year-round. Each grading period, parents would see the dealership’s logo when reviewing their child’s progress—an inexpensive, high-impact form of marketing in an era before mass digital communication. These simple supplies were more than paper and ink; they were a reminder of the close-knit relationship between schools and the businesses that helped support them.
