White Oak Legacy Foundation

White Oak Legacy Foundation is a Greensboro, North Carolina-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving the rich history and legacy of denim manufacturing in the region. For over 124 years, White Oak was a cornerstone of American textile innovation, producing world-renowned selvage denim for Levi Strauss & Co. and shaping the industry’s standards.

Originally established as part of the Proximity Manufacturing Company, White Oak’s operations spanned from 1905 to 2018, employing thousands and utilizing advanced technologies like the Touchstone Dye Apparatus, invented by Floyd Virgil Hayes, to create the gold standard of indigo dye.

Today, W.O.L.F. continues this legacy through educational programs, museum exhibits, and a commitment to sustainable textile practices. We strive to educate the next generation of textile professionals and showcase the ingenuity and craftsmanship that defined Greensboro’s textile heritage. We are a hub for vintage Draper looms, fostering innovation and connecting designers with sustainable technologies for denim and cotton fabrics.

Through initiatives like ‘Riveted: The History of Jeans,’ W.O.L.F. ensures that the story of White Oak and the broader North Carolina textile industry is remembered and celebrated. We are the White Oak Legacy Foundation.