Open House Launches Campaign to Find Local Southeast Texas History

Wednesday, March 29, 2017 • Liberty, TX • News Release

The Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center, part of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, held an open house on Saturday, March 18, inviting area residents to donate items of historical importance to be included in the soon-to-be updated museum space detailing the narrative of the Atascosito District of Southeast Texas.

Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center staff welcomed visitors for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Center’s archival holdings. Attendees had the opportunity to bring their own items to a preservation advice station manned by Texas State Archivist, Jelain Chubb. Select rare archival items were on display and a work in progress table was on hand where people could observe a collection of archival materials being processed.

 

SHC staff are continuing to enlist the help of county residents to help amplify and enrich the story of Southeast Texas by donating records and artifacts in key areas:

 

•     African-American History

•     Hispanic History

•     Alabama-Coushatta Military Service & Creation of the Reservation

•     Rice Farming: Pre-1900 & Dutch/Japanese Immigration

•     World War II Prisoner of War Camps

•     Women’s Suffrage

 

Items received by March 31 may be used in the new exhibit, but efforts to broaden the Center’s collections will continue after that date. Any historical records and artifacts donated will be added to the Center’s holdings for use by researchers and in future exhibits.

“We are engaging with our neighbors in the Atascosito District to help us tell the shared story of our unique region of Texas,” said Center manager Alana Inman. “It is our hope that the newly renovated museum will reflect the diverse heritage of our surrounding ten county area, but we need help from area residents to step forward and add their perspective of our past.”

Museum designers Pony Allen and Erin McClelland of Austin, in partnership with Exhibit Concepts, will identify materials to be placed on exhibit in the new museum and begin design of custom displays for the items in April.

Anyone interested in making a donation of historical materials or learning more about the Center may contact the Center’s manager, Alana Inman, at (936) 336-8821 or ainman@tsl.texas.gov for additional information.