Manuscripts Collections
Manuscripts collections
Manuscript collections document the cultural, political, social, and economic growth of Texas and its residents. The Texas State Archives’ manuscript collections include the papers of private individuals and public officials, as well as records of churches, businesses, social and welfare agencies, and organizations. Collections range in size from single items to several thousand documents, and may include other items, such as maps, photographs, and memorabilia.
The Texas Digital Archive includes only digitized items from collections. Full collection information is available in the finding aids. https://www.tsl.texas.gov/arc/findingaids/msfindingaids.html.
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36th Division Association records, 1887-1969
Creator: 36th Division Association
Title: 36th Division Association records
Dates: 1887-1969
Abstract: The 36th Infantry Division of the Texas National Guard participated in both World Wars I and II in France, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Morocco. The 36th Division Association was formed by and for veterans of the 36th Infantry Division who fought in World Wars I and II. These 36th Division Association records, 1887-1969, undated, bulk 1941-1946, document the founding of the association and its activities and include correspondence, news releases, books, newspaper clippings, programs, magazines, souvenir publications, and a scrapbooks. They also document the history of the 36th Infantry Division, especially during World War II, with division operations reports, rosters of soldiers, clippings, two films of the division, and over 80 WWI and WWII maps. The films and select printed materials have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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Richard Bachman Collection, 1825-1983, undated
Creator: Bachman, Richard
Title: Richard Bachman collection
Dates: 1825-1983, undated
Abstract: The Richard Bachman collection is an assembly of papers, ephemera, photographs, and other materials that document the lives and activities of several Texas families from 1825 to 1983, bulk 1840-1920. The families represented, related by marriage, are Elmore, Miller, Obenchain, Wall, Rugeley, Bachman, Hawkins, Guinn, and Pigford. The collection has a wide variety of documents, from receipts, business documents, and wills and deeds, to correspondence and a family Bible. Major Texas events documented include the Texas Archives War, annexation to the United States, and the Civil War, especially regarding the Battle of Galveston. Notable items in the collection include documentation of the Colorado Navigation Company, an early Rand McNally Texas map (1880s), a proclamation by Republic of Texas President Anson Jones, and an extensive selection of deeds and wills. Photographs make up a significant portion of the collection and cover nearly 130 years of family and photographic history. The collection contains images in a variety of photographic formats, including cased images, card photographs, snapshots, and Polaroids. The variety of images include a young Confederate soldier, Company C of the Texas Rangers, various family members, and several unidentified individuals.
Only the photographs in this collection have been digitized. The photographs are organized into eight subseries: Elmore family, Hawkins family, McHenry-Guinn family, Obenchain-Wall family, Rugeley family, Bachman family, and miscellaneous.
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Sibley Cooley 36th Division Association Audiovisual Collection, 2000, 2008-2009
Creator: Cooley, Sibley
Title: Sibley Cooley 36th Division Association audiovisual collection
Dates: 2000, 2008-2009
Abstract: During World War II, the 36th Division was organized in Texas and fought in Italy between September 1943 and August 1944, and then in France, Germany, and Austria between August 1944 and May 1945. The Sibley Cooley 36th Division audiovisual collection dates 2000, 2008-2009 and consists of video recordings of 36th Division reunions and interviews with those who served in Europe during World War II, recorded and produced by Sibley Cooley.
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Jacob de Cordova Letter Book, 1851-1856
Creator: De Cordova, Jacob, 1808-1868
Title: Jacob de Cordova letter book
Dates: 1851-1856
Abstract: Jacob Raphael de Cordova was a Texas land agent and colonizer. The Jacob de Cordova letter book contains copies of outgoing correspondence from de Cordova relating to his business as a land agent, dating from 1851 to 1856.
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Price Daniel Audiovisual Materials and Related Papers, 1952-1962, 1980, undated
Creator: Daniel, Price
Title: Price Daniel audiovisual materials and related papers
Dates: 1952-1962, 1980, undated
Abstract: Price Daniel served as Texas attorney general, US senator, and Texas governor. These audiovisual materials and related papers date 1952-1962, 1980, undated, and encompass Daniel’s service in these offices, as well as his US Senate and Texas gubernatorial campaigns, and contain one item from after his political career. Topics covered include narcotic laws, segregation, states’ rights, traffic safety, and Texas business and agriculture. The most common film format is 16mm black-and-white film, and audio materials include open reel audiotapes and instantaneous recordings. Some audiovisual materials include accompanying documents.
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Erminia Thompson Folsom Papers, 1856-1965, undated
Creator: Folsom, Erminia T., 1878-1967
Title: Erminia Thompson Folsom papers
Dates: 1856-1965, undated
Abstract: Mariana T. Folsom and her daughter, Erminia T. Folsom, were deeply involved in the woman’s suffrage, peace, and temperance movements in Texas and nationally. Mariana Folsom was also a minister in the Universalist church, while Erminia T. Folsom was active in prison reform and the Herbert Hoover presidential campaign of 1928 and had an interest in Universalism. The Erminia Thompson Folsom papers contain correspondence, literary productions (including lectures), minutes, printed materials, financial documents, and memorabilia, dating 1856-1965 and undated. Although the personalities and careers of these two women can be elucidated to some extent by these papers, particularly through the correspondence and the lectures, fully five-sixths of the collection pertains to the movements themselves, especially suffrage and temperance. The papers document the organization, membership, principles, and activities of these reform movements. The strongest bodies of materials are those dealing with woman’s suffrage (1856-1919) and temperance (1909-1964). The material relating to prison reform (1917-1932) and the peace movement (1866-1960), although small, is rich.
The Erminia Thompson Folsom papers are organized into four groups. Three groups have been partially digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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Friends of the Governor’s Mansion Records, 1979-2023, undated, bulk 1979-1995
Creator: Friends of the Governor’s Mansion (Austin, Tex.)
Title: Friends of the Governor’s Mansion records
Dates: 1979-2023, undated
Dates: bulk 1979-1995
Abstract: In 1979, Texas Governor William P. Clements Jr. and First Lady Mrs. Rita Clements established Friends of the Governor’s Mansion, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to maintaining and preserving the historical and cultural significance of the Texas Governor’s Mansion, preserving the historical collections, beautifying the gardens, and educating the public about the home and its history. The Governor’s Mansion docents educate the public about the mansion and serve as trained guides for mansion tours and hostesses during special events held there. These Friends of the Governor’s Mansion records are tour schedules, function sheets, docent manuals, historians’ notebooks, correspondence, notes, oral histories, agendas, newsletters, electronic newsletters, invitations, financial reports, meeting minutes, photographs, film reels and a VHS videotape about the history of the mansion, and ephemera related to the Docent’s committee. Materials date 1979-2023 and undated, bulk 1979-1995. A portion of these materials have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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Joseph Dillard Gates Collection, 1818-1925, undated, bulk 1870-1921
Creator: Gates (Family : 1780- : Texas)
Title: Joseph Dillard Gates collection
Dates: 1818-1925, undated
Dates: bulk 1870-1921
Abstract: The Gates family were landowning Anglo-Texans in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, with members who served in the Texas Revolution and in the Civil War for the Confederacy, and who were first based in Gonzales County, where they were active in ranching and local politics. The Joseph Dillard Gates collection, dating 1818-1925, undated, bulk 1870-1921, primarily documents the financial and business lives of Samuel Hardin Gates, his son, Joseph Dillard Gates, and his grandson, Amos Hardin Gates, as they amassed an estate of over 644 acres between 1852 and 1920. The collection consists mainly of business and financial documents, estate records and files, and handwritten and typed correspondence. The bulk of the collection documents Joseph Dillard Gates’s role as the head of the family estate and records his life as an active member of the Gonzales, Texas, community from 1870-1919. His military service in the Civil War and on the Texas frontier is represented through personal correspondence as well as official records and correspondence. The process of dispersing estate land to heirs following Joseph Dillard Gates’s death in 1920 is documented in correspondence, land appraisals, deeds, maps, and field notes of the estate property. The majority of these items have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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German Diary Found in Austin, Texas, 1843 September-1844 September
Creator: No attribution
Title: German diary found in Austin, Texas
Dates: 1843 September-1844 September
Abstract: The collection consists of one 42-page portion of a bound journal written in German, dating September 1843-September 1844. The diary has not been translated, but upon cursory inspection it appears a substantial amount was written in Germany. H.R. Nieman Jr., obtained this diary during his time as the executive director for the State Building Commission. A contractor found the item while demolishing an old residence in Austin, Texas. This diary has been digitized and is part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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George Gordon Papers, about 1786, 1862-1879, 1938, 1975, bulk 1873-1879
Creator: Gordon, George, 1827-1888
Title: George Gordon papers
Dates: about 1786, 1862-1879, 1938, 1975, bulk 1873-1879
Abstract: George Gordon lived at Moore’s Bluff, Liberty County, Texas, where he farmed and worked on steamboats that plied the Trinity River. The George Gordon papers document the lives of Gordon and his family during the 1870s as well as the steamboat trade on the Trinity River during that period. Materials consist of George Gordon’s diary, dating between 1873-1879; an 1862 document appointing Gordon to carry dispatches from the British Consulate in Galveston, Texas, to their consulate in Richmond, Virginia; transcribed Bible records on the Gordon family; a 1938 Houston Post clipping containing excerpts from the diary; and a book of poetry by Robert Burns, possibly dated around 1786, that belonged to Gordon. Materials date about 1786, 1862-1879, 1938, 1975, with the bulk dating 1873-1879. The manuscript diary of George Gordon described in this finding aid has been digitized and is part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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Graham (R. Niles) Collection, 1846-1958
Creator: Graham, Richard Niles, 1881-1959
Title: Graham (R. Niles) collection
Dates: 1846-1958
Abstract: The R. Niles Graham collection documents the lives and business interests of Richard Niles Graham and his immediate family. The materials in the collection date from 1846 to 1958, with the bulk of the material dating from 1895 to 1958. The Grahams were prominent members of Texas business and society in Austin in the first part of the 20th century and descended from the state’s 19th century governing aristocracy. The collection sheds light on the family’s history, social activities, interests, and business transactions and consists of personal and inter-family correspondence, family estate papers, and business correspondence and other business records for the Enfield Oil and Petroleum Company and the Enfield Realty and Home Building Company, such as mineral rights leases, title deeds, financial records, maps, and architectural plans. The collection also contains a large cache of memorabilia, ephemera, and printed matter collected by the Graham family over the course of their lives, including scrapbooks, newspapers, magazines, programs, and travel brochures documenting their personal interests. Graham also compiled a large collection of photographs that speak to his interests and document the activities of himself and his family.
The photographs are organized into five groups: People, Places, Subjects, Miscellaneous, and Modern prints. For ease of web-browser use, images have been divided into 100 item increments based upon the photograph identification number.
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José Bernardo Maximiliano Gutiérrez de Lara Papers, 1811-1841, undated
Creator: Gutiérrez de Lara, José Bernardo Maximiliano, 1774-1841
Title: José Bernardo Maximiliano Gutiérrez de Lara papers
Dates: 1811-1841, undated
Abstract: José Bernardo Maximiliano Gutiérrez de Lara, Mexican revolutionary and diplomat, played a significant part in the Mexican War of Independence against the Spanish. These papers date 1811-1841, undated, and include correspondence as well as a 62-page portion of Gutiérrez de Lara’s bound diary, dating November 1811-May 1812. The fragmentary diary recounts his journey from Tennessee to Washington DC, his stay in the area, and his return to Natchitoches, Louisiana, to recruit volunteers for the Gutiérrez-Magee expedition. The diary described in this finding aid has been digitized and is part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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John Hancock Diary, November 28, 1864-June 30, 1865
Creator: Hancock, John, 1824-1893
Title: John Hancock diary
Dates: November 28, 1864-June 30, 1865
Abstract: John Hancock was a congressman, judge, and lawyer who made his home in Austin, Texas. In 1851 Hancock was elected district judge of the Second Judicial District. In 1860 he was elected to the Texas legislature as a Unionist Democrat. He was expelled from the legislature in March 1861 when he declined to take the oath of allegiance to the Confederate States. He remained a conscientious objector throughout the Civil War and continued working as a lawyer. He left Austin for Mexico in 1864 to avoid conscription in the Confederate army. Several months later he moved to Union-held New Orleans, Louisiana, and spent his time helping “Texas Refugees”—those who had fled Texas due to Union sympathies or who had deserted from the Confederate army. Hancock kept this personal diary, dating November 1864-June 1865, during the time he was in New Orleans. He recounts daily life, news of the war, the struggle to obtain and sell cotton and livestock, meetings with prominent Texans and the Louisiana legislature, and his sadness at being separated from his wife and child. The collection consists of one diary with entries in chronological order.
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August Watkins Harris Drawings, September 26, 1957
Creator: Harris, August Watkins
Title: August Watkins Harris drawings
Dates: 1957 September 26
Abstract: August Watkins Harris was an Austin-based architect who designed buildings throughout Texas; several buildings he designed are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Harris also authored two books on Austin architecture as well as the 1957 Specifications of the Repair and Renovation of the Old General Land Office Building for the State Building Commission. The Harris drawings consist of two diazotype prints dating September 26, 1957, of the 1853 Limestone Capitol building, which Harris calls the “Texas Colonial Capitol.” Harris’ book Minor and Major Mansions in Early Austin, in three editions, contains drawings created by the author based on his research. One of the buildings featured in the second edition of this book is the 1853 Limestone Capitol and includes these drawings.
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Robert J. Hogan Collection of Sam Houston Images, about 1840-1948, bulk 1850s-1870s
Creator: Hogan, Robert J., 1927-1993
Title: Robert J. Hogan collection of Sam Houston images
Dates: about 1840 to 1948
Dates: bulk 1850s to 1870s
Abstract: The Robert J. Hogan collection of Sam Houston images documents the lives of the Sam Houston family. The collection consists of 21 photographs of Sam and Margaret Lea Houston, their children, and family friends. Formats include cartes-de-visite, cabinet cards, ambrotypes, and a daguerreotype. The collection dates about 1840-1948, bulk 1850s-1870s. With the exception of the ambrotypes and daguerreotype, this collection has been digitized and is part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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Andrew Jackson Houston Collection, 1812-1941, undated, bulk 1835-1859
Creator: Houston, Andrew Jackson, 1854-1941
Title: Andrew Jackson Houston collection
Dates: 1812 to 1941, undated
Dates: bulk 1835 to 1859
Abstract: Sam Houston was governor of Tennessee, commanding general of the Texian Army during the Texas Revolution, twice president of the Republic of Texas, US senator from Texas and governor of Texas. Sam Houston’s second son Andrew Jackson Houston inherited this collection of documents from his father and maintained it until his death in 1941. This manuscript collection contains correspondence, reports, resolutions, proclamations, affidavits, depositions and other court documents, broadsides, speeches, invitations, receipts, drawings, and maps, dating 1812-1941, and undated, bulk 1835-1859. There are approximately 4,866 items; about 76 percent of the letters are either to or from Sam Houston. An enormous variety of topics appear throughout the Texas career of Sam Houston as general, president, US senator, and governor, including the Texas Revolution (especially the military aspects), Texas politics during the Republic era and the pre-Civil War period of statehood, annexation, secession, Indians, land, claims, financial affairs, appointments, introductions, and friendship, to name a few.
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General John A. Hulen Papers, 1887-1960, undated
Creator: Hulen, John A. (John Augustus), 1871-1957
Title: General John A. Hulen papers
Dates: 1887-1960, undated
Abstract: Papers documenting the military career and life of Brigadier General John A. Hulen, who commanded the 72nd Infantry Brigade (1917-1919) and the 36th Infantry Division of the Texas National Guard (1922-1935), consist of correspondence, photographs, and scrapbooks, dating 1887-1960, undated. The correspondence mainly relates to recruitment activities in 1917 and includes letters and other documents. Photographs cover most of General Hulen’s life, from his years in military school in the late 1880s to his retirement in the 1950s. Photographs from the 36th Division begin with the First World War and extend to 1960 and document military training, camp life, and early airplanes. Also present are aerial photos and official portraits of military personnel in the interwar period. The scrapbooks contain photographs, newspaper clippings, letters, telegrams, and printed materials that cover the course of General Hulen’s military career, from 18
The papers are organized according to record type into three series of which the following have been partially digitized: Photographs.
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J.R. Hunnicutt Collection, 1882-1966, undated
Creator: Hunnicutt, J.R., 1894-1973
Title: J.R. Hunnicutt collection
Dates: 1882-1966, undated
Abstract: The J.R. Hunnicutt collection primarily documents Hunnicutt’s education and career, especially his service as a Texas Ranger, U.S. Customs Service Agent, and in the U.S. Army Medical Administrative Corps. The collection consists of correspondence, personal papers, photographs, postcards, newspaper clippings, and scrapbooks of Hunnicutt and his family dating 1882-1966 and undated, bulk 1913-1966. The oldest materials are photographs and papers of Hunnicutt’s family.
The collection is divided into three series; only the photographs series has been digitized. The photographs were originally arranged first by people in alphabetical order than then by place names in alphabetical order. In the original numbering convention, 1966/029-288 thru 547 were left unidentified. These images have now been described and most identified as to person, place, or activity. Several identical images had been given separate numbers and have now been consolidated. For ease of web-browser use, images have been subdivided into 100 item increments based upon photograph identification number.
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Beauford H. Jester Gubernatorial Campaign Recordings, 1946
Creator: Jester, Beauford Halbert, 1893-1949
Title: Beauford H. Jester gubernatorial campaign recordings
Dates: 1946
Abstract: Beauford H. Jester ran for and won the Democratic Party nomination for Texas governor in 1946 against primary opponent Homer P. Rainey. Jester became governor of Texas in 1947. These sound recordings were created in 1946, the bulk between May 4 and August 24, 1946. The recordings are pre-recorded and live radio broadcasts leading up to and including election day. The recordings consist of radio addresses from Beauford H. Jester covering issues such as taxes, healthcare, education, agriculture, old-age pensions, and veterans’ affairs. A portion of the recordings are the People’s Path radio program hosted by Kendall B. McClure that was created in support of Jester, and recorded testimonials from Texans in support of Jester’s candidacy. These materials have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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Beauford H. Jester Railroad Commissioner Campaign Recordings and Transcripts, 1942
Creator: Jester, Beauford Halbert, 1893-1949
Title: Beauford H. Jester Railroad Commissioner campaign recordings and transcripts
Dates: 1942
Abstract: Beauford H. Jester campaigned for a Texas Railroad Commissioner position in 1942, and served in that role from January 1, 1943, to January 21, 1947, before becoming governor of Texas in 1947. These sound recordings and written transcripts were created in 1942, the bulk between June 22 and August 22, 1942. The recordings are pre-recorded and live radio broadcasts and consist of radio addresses by Jester as well as recorded testimonials from Texans in support of his candidacy for Railroad Commissioner. While some of the recordings have a corresponding transcript from the same date, others do not, and some transcripts do not correspond to any of the sound recordings. These materials have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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Jean Laffite Collection, 1773-1986, undated
Creator: Laffite, Jean
Title: Jean Laffite collection
Dates: 1773-1986, undated
Abstract: Jean Laffite, along with his brother Pierre, engaged in piracy and smuggling in New Orleans, Louisiana, and then Galveston Island, Texas, during the 1810s-1820s. The Jean Laffite collection has two components. One component consists of original journals, documents, photographs, and publications allegedly written or owned by Jean Laffite or other Laffite family members. These materials were in the possession of claimed Jean Laffite descendant John A. Laffite. The second component consists of documents, photographs, postcards, maps, publications, clippings, research materials, manuscripts, and artwork that were collected by former Texas Governor Price Daniel Sr. The collection pertains to Jean Laffite’s career as a pirate/privateer, his alleged post-1820s life in the United States, Laffite family history, John A. Laffite’s activities and communications concerning his alleged Laffite family materials and his sale of the materials, and Price Daniel’s purchase of and interest in the Laffite materials. Photographic formats include tintypes, cartes-de-visite, and prints. Material dates from 1773 to 1986, and undated, with the bulk dating 1845-1979. Photocopies of some material contain information that originally dates from 1608 to 1980. Portions of this collection have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
The collection is organized into nine series, of which the following have been digitized: Government and other official documents, Journals/Diaries, and Photographs.
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Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar Papers, 1756-1859, undated, bulk 1821-1859
Creator: Lamar, Mirabeau B. (Mirabeau Buonaparte), 1798-1859
Title: Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar papers
Dates: 1756-1859, undated
Dates: bulk 1821-1859
Abstract: Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, second elected president of the Republic of Texas, was a statesman, soldier, historian, and poet. These are Lamar’s personal and official papers as well as material gathered by Lamar as a collector of historical documents with a particular interest in the histories of Texas and Latin American republics. Documents include correspondence, historical manuscripts, clippings, drafts, notes, editorials, poems, maps, reports, legal documents, histories of Texas and Mexico, and biographies of prominent regional figures. Dates are 1756-1859 and undated, bulk 1821-1859. The 1982 publication Calendar of the Papers of Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar includes a detailed chronological listing of the papers. This calendar and the Texas Declaration of Independence broadside have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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Dorothy E. Loe Collection of Sam Houston Letters and Other Materials, about 1846-1863, bulk 1852-1856
Creator: Houston, Margaret Lea, 1819-1867
Title: Dorothy E. Loe collection of Sam Houston letters and other materials
Dates: about 1846 to 1863
Dates: bulk 1852 to 1856
Abstract: The Dorothy E. Loe collection of Sam Houston letters and other materials documents the family life of Sam Houston and his wife Margaret Lea Houston, as well as certain actions by Houston as general of the Texas Army during the Texas Revolution. The collection consists of correspondence between Sam and Margaret Lea Houston during his tenure as a United States senator, a handwritten will of Sam Houston, a petition pertaining to the 1836 seizure of the steamboat Yellow Stone by General Sam Houston, and a brooch that belonged to Houston’s eldest daughter, Nancy Elizabeth. The collection dates about 1846-1863, bulk 1852-1856. With the exception of the brooch, this collection has been digitized and is part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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Henry Arthur McArdle Scrapbooks, about 1874-1929
Creator: McArdle, Henry Arthur, 1836-1908
Title: Henry Arthur McArdle scrapbooks
Dates: about 1874-1929
Abstract: Henry Arthur McArdle, born in 1836 in Belfast, Ireland, became interested in Texas history while researching his painting Lee at the Wilderness. Dawn at the Alamo and The Battle of San Jacinto, the best known of his surviving works, now hang in the senate chamber of the Texas State Capitol. Exhaustively researched, the two paintings attempt to reproduce as accurately as possible the persons, events, accoutrements, and settings of the events they portray. These scrapbooks contain the accumulated research amassed by McArdle to complete the two works. The materials within the scrapbooks include correspondence, newspaper clippings, photographs, maps, and reminiscences of battle participants and their relatives, dating about 1874-1929.
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Allen McCree Papers, 1975-1997
Creator: McCree, Allen, 1937-2007
Title: Allen McCree papers
Dates: 1975-1997
Abstract: Allen McCree was the architect of the Capitol of Texas from 1988 to 1992 and oversaw the interior preservation and underground extension of the Capitol Building. These Allen McCree papers, dated 1975-1997, primarily document McCree’s involvement in architectural projects in the state and include plans for the Capitol project, general architectural materials, newspaper clippings, correspondence, memos, notes, architectural plans and specifications, budgets, reports, pamphlets, drafts, and slides and a script for a lecture on the history of the Capitol. All of these materials except oversize prints and architectural drawings have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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Nacogdoches Archives, 1729-1836, undated
Creator: Nacogdoches (Mexico : Department)
Title: Nacogdoches archives
Dates: 1729-1836, undated
Abstract: Texas has been governed by six sovereign countries, including Spain from 1690 to 1821 and Mexico from 1821 to 1836. The Nacogdoches archives consists of records maintained by national, regional, and local officials—both political and military—of the Spanish and Mexican governments documenting their rule of Texas from the mid-eighteenth into the early nineteenth century, dating 1729-1836, undated. The bulk of the records consists of correspondence and copies of letters. The records include Spanish colonial and Mexican national government correspondence, decrees, and reports; correspondence and reports of military and political officials stationed in the Provincias Internas (1776-1824) and later, the State of Coahuila y Texas; records of the Department of Nacogdoches (northeastern area of Texas), 1830-1836; and municipal records of Nacogdoches and vicinity. Until the 1830s, the records are written almost entirely in Spanish. The records of the Municipality of Nacogdoches (not to be confused with the Department of Nacogdoches) are a mixture of both English and Spanish-language documents after 1830. Portions of these records have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators (NAGARA) Organizational Materials, 1974-2018, undated
Creator: National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators
Title: National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators organizational materials
Dates: 1974-2018, undated
Abstract: Through institution-based membership, the National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators (NAGARA) encourages the exchange of information, cooperative approaches, and professional development and standards, and promotes awareness of government records issues. As an outgrowth organization from its predecessor, the National Association of State Archives and Records Administrators (NASARA), NAGARA was founded in 1984 to meet the needs of the government archives and records administration profession on all levels of United States government. These materials document the history and activities of NAGARA’s organizational pursuits with local, state, and federal governments as well as late NASARA endeavors with state governments. The NAGARA records include administrative files, correspondence, events files, meeting minutes, project and grant files, and records concerning relations with professional organizations, dating 1974-2018, undated, bulk 1984-1996.
These records include some born-digital materials and have had portions digitized.
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W. Lee O’Daniel Collection: 1937-1948, undated
Creator: No attribution
Title: W. Lee O’Daniel collection
Dates: 1937-1948, undated
Abstract: W. Lee O’Daniel served as Texas governor from 1938 to 1941 and as United States senator from 1941 to 1948. His work in radio advertising and country music programming made him a popular figure in Texas. This collection, dating 1937-1948 and undated, consists of photographs, artwork, maps, scrapbooks, and a lacquer disc recording of his “Hillbilly Boys” radio show. These document O’Daniel’s family; political campaigns; his farm near Burleson, Texas; and news of the day. A portion of these materials have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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Zahr Pritchard Collection, about 1870s-1959
Creator: Pritchard, Zarh, 1866-1956
Title: Zarh Pritchard collection
Dates: about 1870s-1959, undated
Dates: 1904-1953
Abstract: Zarh Pritchard, born Walter Howlison Mackenzie Pritchard, was an artist best known for painting underwater landscapes while underwater. The Zarh Pritchard collection documents his work, travels, and interest in numerology and the occult. Included are letter and card correspondence; pamphlets and invitations; administrative files detailing his personal finances, business dealings, and properties; books and literary efforts; magazine and newspaper clippings; memorabilia collected through his travels, friendships, and business dealings; photographs, drawings, and postcards; and artifacts and artwork. Dates covered are about 1870s-1959, undated, bulk 1904-1953. The artifacts and artwork in this collection have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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Homer P. Rainey Gubernatorial Campaign Recordings, 1946
Creator: Rainey, Homer P. (Homer Price), 1896-1985
Title: Homer P. Rainey gubernatorial campaign recordings
Dates: 1946
Abstract: Homer Price Rainey ran for the Democratic Party nomination for Texas Governor in 1946, but lost to Beauford H. Jester. These sound recordings were created between May 5 and August 24, 1946, from pre-recorded and live radio broadcasts leading up to and including the election day. The recordings contain addresses from Homer P. Rainey covering issues such as education, health, old-age pensions, farming, and socioeconomic inequalities. Additional addresses consist of other Texans voicing their support of Rainey, including former Texas Governor James V. Allred, Jane Y. McCallum, Marguerite Gibson Shearer Fairchild, Jerry Sadler, Cactus Pryor, and Dr. Littleton A. Woods. Rainey’s election day concession radio address is included. These materials have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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Allan Shivers Audiovisual Materials, 1949-1956, undated, bulk 1954
Creator: Shivers, Allan, 1907-1985
Title: Allan Shivers audiovisual materials
Dates: 1949-1956
Dates: undated
Dates: bulk 1954
Abstract: Allan Shivers served as governor of Texas from 1949 to 1957. These audiovisual materials mainly document Shivers’s 1954 gubernatorial campaign for reelection and consist of 16mm films, open reel audiotapes, instantaneous recordings, and phonograph records dating 1949-1956, bulk 1954.
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Texas Governor Allan Shivers Campaign Files, 1938-1955, undated
Creator: Texas. Governor (1949-1957 : Shivers)
Title: Texas Governor Allan Shivers campaign files
Dates: 1938-1955, undated
Abstract: Allan Shivers served as governor of Texas from July 11, 1949, to January 15, 1957. The governor of Texas is the chief executive officer of the state. Prior to 1975, the governor was elected by citizens every two years. The campaign files of Texas Governor Allan Shivers, dating 1938-1955 and undated, document Shivers’s campaigns for state senator (1938 and 1942), lieutenant governor of Texas (1946 and 1948), and governor of Texas (1950, 1952, and 1954), as well as inaugural ceremonies following the elections. These records include press releases, clippings, photographs, correspondence, speeches, reports, flongs (paper molds for printmaking), advertisements, original artwork for political cartoons, publications, and campaign paraphernalia. Also included are records documenting Shivers’s involvement with both the state and national Democratic political party and the party conventions held during years he campaigned for office. Original artworks for political cartoons have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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Bradford Smith Audiovisual Materials, 1958-1962, undated
Creator: Smith, Bradford H., 1909-1993
Title: Bradford Smith audiovisual materials
Dates: 1958-1962
Dates: undated
Abstract: Bradford Smith started his career in Texas print and broadcast media in the Rio Grande Valley. In 1958, he moved to Austin to be Texas State Traffic Safety Director and later a member of Governor Price Daniel’s staff. These audiovisual materials, created by Smith while serving in those roles, date 1958-1962 and consist of black-and-white photographs and negatives, 16mm motion pictures, color transparencies, a framed drawing of a political cartoon, and an open reel audiotape. Most photographs document events of Governor Daniel. The motion pictures and audiotape described in this finding aid have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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George Washington Smyth Papers, 1833-1865, undated
Creator: Smyth, G. W. (George Washington), 1803-1866
Title: George Washington Smyth papers
Dates: 1833-1865, undated
Abstract: George Washington Smyth was a surveyor, land commissioner, judge, and congressman in the early days of both the Republic of Texas and the United States governments. As a member of the Texas Convention of 1836, Smyth co-wrote and signed the Texas Declaration of Independence and signed the Constitution of the Republic of Texas in early March 1836. The George Washington Smyth papers relate chiefly to his time as a surveyor and land commissioner at the eastern boundary of Texas, near Nacogdoches. The bulk of the papers consist of documents and correspondence created during Smyth’s work with the boundary commission. Documents include boundary commission accounts, purchasing inventories, meeting minutes, a land title, and memoranda, dating 1833-1856, undated, bulk 1836-1841.
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Texas Brewers’ Institute Records, 1909-1976, undated
Creator: Texas Brewers’ Institute
Title: Texas Brewers’ Institute records
Dates: 1909-1976, undated
Dates: bulk 1934-1976
Abstract: The Texas Brewers’ Institute (TBI) was a lobbying group formed by ten Texas breweries operating after the 1933 repeal of Prohibition, with a goal to promote and protect the interests of the beer industry. The records document the business activities of the Institute and its member breweries during that time. In particular, this collection sheds light on the way that breweries in Texas reacted to the abolishment of Prohibition and how they attempted to influence alcohol legislation in Texas and on a national scale. Much of TBI’s records consist of correspondence between the officers of the Institute and brewery executives and politicians in Texas. In addition, there is correspondence between the officers and members of the U.S. Congress. Other materials include maps, photographs, magazines and other published material, newspaper clippings, two phonograph records, audiotapes, and film reels. There are also several items that date before the Institute’s founding, most notably a set of four scrapbooks that contain anti-temperance newspaper clippings assembled by the Anti-Statewide Prohibition Association in 1911. Portions of these records have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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Texas International Women’s Year Coordinating Committee Records, 1971-1978
Creator: United States. National Commission on the Observance of International Women’s Year. Texas Coordinating Committee
Title: Texas International Women’s Year Coordinating Committee records
Dates: 1971-1978
Abstract: The Texas International Women’s Year (IWY) Coordinating Committee, also known as the Texas Coordinating Committee, was created by Congress in December 1975 with the passage of Public Law 94-167 (HR 9924, 94th Congress, 1975-1977) for the purpose of holding state meetings to elect delegates and adopt resolutions that promoted equal rights to be presented at the National Women’s Conference. The committee planned and held the Texas Women’s Meeting in Austin from June 24 to 26, 1977, where participants voted on delegates and resolutions for the National Women’s Conference held in Houston later that year. Records of the committee are attendee registration forms, correspondence, delegate nomination forms, memorandums, interviews, resolutions, publications, press material, minutes, photographs, rules and procedures, reservations, budgets, audio and video recordings, résumés, voting tally sheets, maps, buttons, exhibit panels, photo negatives, and slides, dating 1971-1978, bulk 1977.
The records are organized into eight series, of which the following have been digitized: Public relations committee files, Program committee files, and Nominations committee files.
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Texas Democratic Party Records, 1939-1984, bulk 1960-1982
Creator: Democratic Party (Tex.)
Title: Texas Democratic Party records
Dates: 1939-1984
Dates: bulk 1960-1982
Abstract: The Texas Democratic Party was founded in 1846 and was the only viable political party in the state until 1952. Though the influence of the Texas Republican Party began to increase after 1952, the Texas Democratic Party maintained control until the 1970s. These Democratic records include meeting minutes, agendas, polls, election returns, election analysis, convention records, reports, surveys, photographs, audio recordings, correspondence, contracts, election results, publications, press releases, and financial records, dating 1939-1984, bulk 1960-1982. The records document the history of the Texas Democratic Party and its relationship with other organizations such as Mexican American Democrats, Women Voters, and Young Democrats. Major topics documented within these records include elections, state and national conventions, and the State Democratic Executive Committee. The audiovisual materials have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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Texas Library Association Records, 1902-2018, undated, bulk 1970-2017
Creator: Texas Library Association
Title: Texas Library Association records
Dates: 1902-2018, undated
Dates: bulk 1970-2017
Abstract: The Texas Library Association (TLA) is a non-profit organization whose goal has been to promote, support and improve services for academic, public, school, and special libraries in Texas since its establishment in 1902. These records document the TLA’s own work and its history with other organizations such as the American Library Association, the Southwestern Library Association, and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Records of the Texas Library Association consist of executive board and TLA Council reports, planning and promotional material for annual conferences, meeting minutes, and documentation relating to the nomination and selection of their numerous annual awards. The records are dated 1902-2018 and undated, bulk 1970-2017. This collection includes papers, photographs, reports, manuscripts, administrative minutes, newspaper clippings, negatives, color slides, audiocassette tapes, open reel tapes, digital files, and videotapes.
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Frank S. Tillman Collection, 1915-1939, undated
Creator: Tillman, Frank S., 1888-1939
Title: Frank S. Tillman collection
Dates: 1915-1939, undated
Abstract: The Frank S. Tillman collection contains printed material, diaries, rosters, lists of wartime deaths, and assorted material produced between 1915 and 1939, documenting and describing the participation of Texas soldiers in World War I. The material, created by both participants and commentators of the events they describe, concerns the recruitment, composition, training, transportation, combat service, casualties, occupation duties, and demobilization of Texas soldiers and military units between 1917 and 1919. The bulk of the collection concerns the Thirty-Sixth Division while the remainder deals with the Ninetieth Division, the Adjutant General of Texas, and other Texas soldiers. Major Frank S. Tillman was a veteran of the Thirty-Sixth Division.
The collection is organized into three subgroups, of which the following have been partially digitized: Thirty-Sixth Division papers, and Texas Participation in World War I printed materials.
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William Barret Travis Letter from the Alamo, 1836 February 24
Creator: Travis, William Barret, 1809-1836
Title: William Barret Travis letter from the Alamo
Dates: 1836 February 24
Abstract: This document, written by Commander William B. Travis, dated February 24, 1836, and signed Victory or Death, is the one that has come to be known simply as The Travis Letter among the other missives issued by Travis from the Alamo. Travis called for reinforcements with this heroic message, carried from the Alamo by Captain Albert Martin of Gonzales and passed to Lancelot Smither, both of whom added notes to the letter. Smither delivered this appeal to the citizens’ committee in San Felipe, where several copies were made, and transcripts of the letter began to appear in newspapers as early as March 2. Santa Anna’s troops broke through on March 6, and all of the defenders of the Alamo died. This document has been digitized and is part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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Samuel Hamilton Walker Papers, 1836-1905, about 1982, undated
Creator: Walker, Samuel Hamilton, 1817-1847
Title: Samuel Hamilton Walker papers
Dates: 1836-1905, about 1982, undated
Abstract: Samuel Hamilton Walker served as a Texas Ranger and in the Mexican War. His papers include correspondence, military orders, quartermaster invoices and receipts, social invitations, pamphlets, and newspaper clippings of Samuel Hamilton Walker and his family, dating 1836-1905, about 1982, and undated. The correspondence is from family, social, business, and military sources. The bulk of the papers are from the last few years of Walker’s life and focus on his military activities in Texas, beginning with several letters in 1843 when Walker was in Mexican prisons after the Mier expedition. Afterwards, most of the papers are from Walker’s service in the Mexican War, 1846-1847. During this period, there is correspondence with Samuel Colt on the development of the Walker-Colt revolver. A biographical sketch of Walker dates about 1982.
The papers are arranged numerically according to accession number. It is recommended that users consult the inventory on the online finding aid to identify records of interest in the TDA.
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Horald V. Watson Collection, 1917-1920s, about 1940, 1954, 1957, undated
Collector: Watson, Horald V., 1901-1977
Title: Horald V. Watson collection
Dates: 1917-1920s, about 1940, 1954, 1957, undated
Abstract: The Horald V. Watson collection includes one set of Daisetta water control records, two prescription sheets from Bell’s Pharmacy and Drugs, an official pocket seal, and photographs of Batson, Hull, Daisetta, and Galveston, Texas, dating 1917-1920s, about 1940, 1954, 1957, undated.
Only photographs from this collection have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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Minnie Sneed Wilcox Collection, 1920-1945, undated
Creator: Wilcox, Minnie Sneed, 1862-1941
Title: Minnie Sneed Wilcox collection
Dates: 1920-1945, undated
Abstract: The Minnie Sneed Wilcox collection is an assembly of scrapbooks, correspondence, organization reports, and other materials that document the activities of Minnie Sneed Wilcox in three Texas music clubs between 1920 and 1945, bulk 1923-1941: the Wednesday Morning Music Club, the Texas Federation of Music Clubs, and the Texas Music Teachers Association.
The collection is organized into three series, of which only three of six Scrapbooks within the Wednesday Morning Music Club materials have been digitized.
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Franklin Weston Williams Collection of Sam Houston Records and Other Materials, 1837-1853, about 1920s-1930s, bulk 1841-1844
Creator: Houston, Sam, 1793-1863
Title: Franklin Weston Williams collection of Sam Houston records and other materials
Dates: 1837-1853
Dates: about 1920s-1930s
Dates: bulk 1841-1844
Abstract: Sam Houston served as president of the Republic of Texas (1836-1838, 1841-1844) and was one of the organizers of a land company in Jefferson County, Texas, the Company of the City of Sabine. The Franklin Weston Williams collection of Sam Houston records and other materials consists of the Private Executive Records of the Second Term of Sam Houston’s Administration of the Government of the Republic of Texas, an index to the Private Executive Records, documents pertaining to Sam Houston’s presidency and his involvement in the Company of the City of Sabine, and a bust of Sam Houston, sculpted by artist Penelope Lingan. The collection dates 1837-1853, 1920s-1930s, bulk 1841-1844. With the exception of the Constitution of the City of Sabine, military orders, and the bust, this collection has been digitized and is part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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George Willrich Spanish-American War papers, 1898-1899, 1928
Creator: Willrich, George, 1861-1932
Title: George Willrich Spanish-American War papers
Dates: 1898 to 1899
Dates: 1928, bulk 1898-1899
Abstract: George Willrich served as captain of the Fayette Light Guard, first organized in 1886 as part of the Texas Volunteer Guard. On April 24, 1898, he joined for duty and enrolled at La Grange, Texas, to serve as captain of Company H, 1st Volunteer Infantry, during the Spanish-American War and was mustered into service the following month. The George Willrich Spanish-American War papers, 1898-1899, 1928, bulk 1898-1899, document his service and that of Company H in Havana, Cuba, during that military conflict. These papers consist of quartermaster records; correspondence relating to personnel and military court matters; ordnance and ordnance stores records; infantry equipment inventories, schedules, and correspondence; muster rolls; an annual report of the Adjutant-General of the Army to the Secretary of War; and correspondence sent to Willrich in 1928 asking him to organize an encampment of Spanish-American War veterans. These papers have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
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