Around the turn of the century, THOMAS ROSS “T.R.” WOODBURN started the Woodburn Printing Company. Born in the nearby community of Clay City, T.R. came to Terre Haute as an industrious young man and set up shop at 25 South Sixth Street. He began a career in printing that was to span 35 years. And he unknowingly laid the cornerstone for a company and a tradition that would produce innovative quality printing for generations to come.
The Roaring Twenties were a heyday for innovation in type design and printing technique. The type designs of this period have lasted and still serve us well today: Broadway, Bulmer, Kennerley, Oldstyle, Goudy, and Futura. In 1921 T.R.’s 17-year-old son, Ross Woodburn, joined the company. In time Ross Woodburn would succeed his father in running the company before retiring in 1976 after 55 years of devoted service.
The 1930s were difficult times for our country and company. The Great Depression plagued businesses throughout the country and the world. Woodburn Printing would survive these difficult times; however, due to ill health, T.R. Woodburn sold the business in 1938. Yet, T.R.’s hopes of the company remaining a family-owned and operated business were fulfilled when Ross’s uncle, O.W. Pendergast, bought the business. At that time Ross had already assumed the responsibilities of running the company, and O.W. made sure Ross would continue to serve as President until his retirement.
World War II defined the 1940s and much of the rest of the century. The war era had a defining effect on the printing industry and our company, too. Before the war, offset lithography with its flat, gray tones was used for low budget, low quality, short-run printing. However, when Ross returned home after the War, he saw how offset printing had significantly improved. The new era of offset printing had dawned in which Ross invested for the future.
The 1950s and 1960s brought the space age and new dimensions of technological growth to our country and company. Printing technologies were developing by leaps and bounds as evidenced by the introduction of the first business forms web presses onto the market. In 1957 two watershed events occurred at Woodburn. The company bought its first business forms web press. And Don Pendergast, O.W.’s son, joined the company. Ross, who was now know as the “Dean of County Printers,” spent much of his time in courthouses overseeing various counties’ printing needs. As other product lines grew, Don became invaluable in filling the void when Ross was on the road.
The 1970s found Woodburn Printing steadily growing and changing. To keep abreast of the changing times, the company invested in digital typesetters, CRTs and color electronic scanning. In 1976, after 55 years, Ross retired as President and was succeeded by Don.

The 30 years since Don took over have been marked by a concerted and continual effort to reinvest in equipment and technology. In 1983 the company changed its name to Woodburn Graphics Incorporated. Also, during this period Don undertook a huge reinvestment project to update equipment and technology. Don’s tragic death in 1986 brought great sorrow to everyone who knew him.
However, Don’s legacy was carried on by his wife, Marilyn Wheeler Pendergast. An astute businesswoman, Marilyn understood the importance of and continued to reinvest in the company to acquire state of the art equipment and technology. Marilyn also undertook initiatives to streamline production and pre-press capabilities.
In 1992 Marilyn promoted Larry Natalie to Chief Operating Officer. Larry has helped to build on Don and Marilyn’s legacy.  Woodburn purchased its first six-color offset press to expand into the commercial printing market. And the company invested in a state of the art computer system to improve costing and data collection practices.
In 2003, the company acquired Union Hospital Health Group's Printing Services Department. This strategic acquisition brought with it both a number of fine personnel and additional capabilities. The Printing Services division allowed the company to expand into the fast growing digital printing, wide-format, and mailing services markets. With the Printing Services Division, Woodburn Graphics offers the most complete line of printed products and services in the Wabash Valley.

Today, Woodburn is still located at 25 South Sixth Street in downtown Terre Haute, but the plant has grown to encompass 60,000 square feet. Our plant boasts state-of-the-art equipment and technology. And we are committed to reinvesting in our personnel, equipment and technology to stay on the leading edge.
The Pendergast family still remains committed and intimately involved in Woodburn Graphics. Marilyn serves as President and directs all major decisions of the company. Her sons Jim and Curt Pendergast serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, respectively. Carol Pendergast Etling and Lynn Pendergast Hayes serve on the Board of Directors along with their mother, brothers, and Larry Natalie.
This history only tells a small part of the Woodburn Grahpics story, because only a few major events and people have been mentioned. As with any successful and long-lived business, the central reason for our success is the countless contributions of our fine past and present employees. We at Woodburn long ago realized that our employees and customers are our most valuable asset.
Woodburn Graphics has withstood the test of time by continuing to produce the finest printing available. Our equation for success is simple – Innovation guided by Tradition. By following that equation, we expect to be around for a long, long time to come.