State Archives and Library Building
In 1839, the Congress of the Texas Republic appropriated $10,000 for the purchase of books for use by the government. Though funding soon dried up and collections lost in a series of fires, the State Library was maintained in various forms and eventually brought under the auspices of the Texas State Library and Historical Commission in 1909. Records produced and maintained by Texas governments were moved from place to place over time and were even the subject of a contentious “Archives War” in 1842 between presidents Sam Houston and Mirabeau Lamar. The dispute centered around which city would serve as the capital of Texas, as that is where the archives would be housed. Lamar’s preference for Austin ultimately won out. While the books were always maintained in the Capitol building, due to limited space the archives were relocated to other facilities and often stored in conditions not conducive to preservation. While many had advocated for a separate Texas State Library over the years, the possibility of a new building finally became reality in the 1950s.
In January of 1957, Governor Price Daniel recognized the need and recommended the legislature direct $2,500,000 from a surplus in the Department of Public Safety to construct a purpose-built facility on the Capitol grounds for the archival and library collections. Daniel’s address stated that, “…one of the most priceless treasures of the people of Texas will continue to suffer damage and possible destruction as long as the archives, Texas history collection, and historical records remain housed in a Quonset hut in the repair yards of the Highway Department.” With the funding secured, groundbreaking ceremonies were held on May 11, 1959, and the “sunset red” granite State Archives and Library Building was completed in July of 1961. Governor Daniel presided over the building dedication that took place during National Library Week of April 1962. He said of the building in his remarks, “Its beauty, dignity, and practical usefulness are worthy of its role as custodian of the sacred records of our history, past, present, and future.”
Cowbarn Annex, undated. Records, Publications Office, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, 1989/29-2. TSLAC.
Archives in Quonset Hut, Camp Hubbard, Austin, Texas, about 1956. Places Collection, 1/103-98. Prints and Photographs. TSLAC.
Governor and Mrs. Price Daniel cutting the ribbon, April 10, 1962. Texas State Library and Archives Commission Publications Office, 1989/29-1. TSLAC.
Groundbreaking ceremony with Governor Price Daniel, May 11, 1959. Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Publications Office, 1989/029-2. TSLAC.
Archives and Library Building, view from Capitol, 1961. Places Collection, 1/103-8. Prints and Photographs. TSLAC.
Drawing of Texas State Archives and Library Building, front exposure, undated. Places Collection, 1/103-1014. Prints and Photographs. TSLAC. Click or tap thumbnail image to view larger version.
Reference Division Reading Room, Texas State Archives and Library Building, undated. Places Collection, 1/103-1015. Prints and Photographs. TSLAC. Click or tap thumbnail image to view larger version.
Invitation and Program
Invitations were sent out to officials, dignitaries, and library and archives professionals around the country to attend the celebration of the new facility on April 10, 1962. Some who were not able to attend sent letters and telegrams expressing their well-wishes. The program offered a brief history of the Texas State Library along with a description of the building and services.
Invitation to the dedication of the State Archives and Library Building, April 10, 1962. Special correspondence and subject files, 1902-1973, Records, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. TSLAC. Click or tap thumbnail image to view larger version.
Program for the dedication of the State Archives and Library Building, April 10, 1962. Special correspondence and subject files, 1902-1973, Records, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. TSLAC. Click or tap thumbnail images to view larger versions.
Telegram from staff of Mississippi Library Commission, April 10, 1962. Special correspondence and subject files, 1902-1973, Records, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. TSLAC.
From the address of Governor Price Daniel at the dedication of the State Archives and Library Building, April 10, 1962. Special correspondence and subject files, 1902-1973, Records, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. TSLAC. Governor Price Daniel addressed the guests gathered for the dedication of the new facility, stressing the need for proper housing of the important historical materials owned by the state. Daniel was instrumental in obtaining funding for the building and participated with the State Building Commission on the architectural details. Click or tap thumbnail image to view larger version.
Texas State Archives and Library Building Model, 1961. Artifacts Collection, ATF0515. TSLAC.
Three-dimensional model of the Texas State Archives and Library Building (now Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building) exterior. Model shows the building with six flags in front and surrounding foliage, roads, and model cars. The reverse shows the loading dock and the six seals on the building. This model was constructed by the Texas State Building Commission at the request of mural artist Peter Hurd, who had been approached in 1961 by Texas Governor Price Daniel to paint a mural in the building's lobby. His son-in-law, artist Peter Rogers, completed the commission in 1964. View larger image of Texas State Archives and Library Building Model, 1961 on our Texas Digital Archive Site. 
Shears used by Colonel George Durham, 1830-1840 and by Mrs. Price Daniel in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the dedication of the State Archives and Library Building, 1962. Artifact Collection, ATF0257. TSLAC.
Shears with black handle. Handwritten on one side: 117-7-80T. These shears were used by Colonel George Durham, Republic of Texas, Chief Clerk in the Comptroller's Office, in the financial affairs of the Republic of Texas in President Sam Houston's second administration. They were also used by Mrs. Price Daniel in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the dedication of the State Archives and Library Building, April 10, 1962. Mrs. Price Daniel, Jean Houston Baldwin, was Sam Houston’s great-great-granddaughter. View larger image of Shears used by Colonel George Durham, 1830-1840 and by Mrs. Price Daniel in the ribbon cutting ceremony on our Texas Digital Archive Site.
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