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HMRC Gazette Winter 2015 Houston Metropolitan Research Center Texas Room, Julia Ideson Building 550 McKinney St. Houston, TX 77002 (832) 393-1662
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• New to the Collection: John Saunders Chase Architectural Drawings • Collection Focus: Oral Histories -- "40 Years Later..." • History: Dandy Lions Workshop for the Blind • Ongoing and Upcoming Events Calendar • Collections at Work: Murder & Mayhem in Houston: Bayou City Crime • HMRC/Texas Room Visitor Information
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New to the Collection: John Saunders Chase Drawings
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Houston Metropolitan Research Center, a special collection of the Houston Public Library System, is proud to announce the acquisition of a collection of architectural drawings by John Saunders Chase, a prolific architect and Houstonian. The collection includes such projects as residences, offices, libraries, schools, as well a number of churches. Many accounts refer John Chase as a man of many firsts, a very apt description. One of his most significant firsts is that, in 1950, he was the first African-American to enroll at the University of Texas. He would later become the first African-American architect licensed in the state of Texas. Appointed by President Jimmy Carter in 1980, he became the first African American to serve on the United States Commission on Fine Arts. Born on January 23rd, 1925 in Annapolis, Maryland, Chase earned his undergraduate degree from Hampton University. He enrolled in the University of Texas School of Architecture in 1948. After graduating from University of Texas in 1952, Chase found that white architectural firms were unwilling to hire him, so he moved to Houston and opened his own. That same year, he received an appointment as assistant professor of architectural drafting at Texas Southern University. During the course of his life, Chase had many significant accomplishments both for his civic endeavors as well as his career. He designed a substantial number of buildings for the campus of Texas Southern University. His work can be seen on the George R. Brown Convention Center, the Washington Technical Institute, as well as on the renovation of the Astrodome. Although his work was centered in the Houston area, Chase worked throughout Texas and accepted commissions both nationally and internationally. His work includes the United States Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia. This collection is an important addition to the collections in the Stephen Fox Architectural Archives at HMRC which reflect a range of the region's architectural history. The principal focus of the archive is the architectural drawings, but it also includes correspondence, office records, job logs, specifications, photographs, shop drawings, and oral history interviews. HMRC’s Architectural Archives is comprised of drawings and papers for over 9,000 projects representing over 250 architects, engineers, and related firms. The archive includes drawings executed by architects primarily in Houston and the surrounding areas. As a Special Collection of the Houston Public Library System, the archive’s mission is to collect and preserve collections and provide access to promote research and education about Houston’s rich architectural history and the architects, engineers, and landscape architects who created this environment. The types of structures vary from buildings of one story to skyscrapers and modest homes to opulent mansions, as well as parks and landscaping plans, the Astrodome, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The John Chase Collection was graciously donated to HMRC by the Chase family, specifically Mrs. Drucie Chase. Once the collection is processed it will be available for public research.
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Collection Focus: Oral Histories
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"40 Years Later..." : Revisiting Key Issues in the African-American Community via Oral Histories In October, our Oral History and Media Librarian, Adrienne Cain, was invited to speak at the Oral History Association’s Annual Meeting in Tampa, FL. The Oral History Association is a national organization focused on the study and methodology of oral histories. Oral historians from varying backgrounds such as archives, academia, independents, documentary creators, etc., come together to discuss their research and best practices. Below is an abstract of Adrienne’s presentation, “40 Years Later : Perspectives and Reflections of Black Houston through Oral Histories”. Forty years ago, the Houston Metropolitan Research Center conducted a series of oral histories titled “Black Oral Histories” in which prominent African-American community leaders and activist were interviewed and discussed various topics such as relations with law enforcement, education, religion, arts and culture, and community and social welfare. Some of the interviewees interviewed included Mrs. Hattie Mae White, the first African-American to be elected to the Houston School Board ; Judge Matthew Plummer, the first African-American employed as an investigator for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, founder of the Houston Lawyers and community activist in Houston for over 47 years; Ovide Duncantell, community activist; George T. Nelson, community leader, businessman, sports promoter and instrument in integrating Houston ISD; Edsel Cramer, artist; Aliva Wardlaw, art historian and curator ; and Rev. William A. Lawson, reverend and community leader/activists. Each of the interviewees in the series were leaders in their respective fields and highly respected in Houston and Houston’s African-American community. These candid yet telling interviews provided a look into the concerns of African-American Houstonians in the mid-70s — a time of integration, promise of equality and economic prosperity on the heels Jim Crow era. One must recall that 1974-75 was only ten years after the passing of Civil Rights Act and Houston’s schools were not fully integrated until the mid-1970s, although Brown v. Board ruled it unconstitutional two decades prior. The 70s were a time of change, discovering identity, and renewed hope and opportunity. It was also on the heels of a time of rioting, protesting, and racism that Houston was not immune to. This project “40 Years Later…” revisits these topics and compares the issues that plagued African-American Houstonians in 1974-75 to the issues that concern African-Americans today. Since the majority of the original interviewees are deceased, I have located people who have the same position or relationship with the subject as the original interviewee. At the conclusion of this project, viewers will have a sense of the issues and concerns that African-American Houstonians had in the mid-1970s. The presentation will also provide a present-day look at what issues African-American Houstonians are currently facing. It will examine if over the span of forty years these issues and concerns have improved, regressed, or stagnated. This project and presentation can ultimately be used to gauge the amount of progress - or lack of progress - African-American Houstonians have experienced in regards to relations with law enforcement, education, religion, art and culture, and community and social welfare. Do you or someone you know someone who have great memories and stories about Houston? Please contact our Oral History and Media Librarian, Adrienne Cain, to have your story recorded! Call 832-393-1653 or email adrienne.cain@houstontx.gov to schedule an appointment.
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Houston History: Dandy Lions Workshop for the Blind
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By HMRC staff member Clinton Drake Beginning in 1832, with the founding of Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia, a movement toward establishing blind residential schools extended throughout the United States. Vocational instruction, particularly in “blind trades” — caning, basket weaving, rug weaving—that would ideally lead to self-sufficiency were a primary objective of many schools. A lack of success with this model brought about the establishment of the first “sheltered shop” in New York in 1850, which employed exclusively blind workers. [1] As a direct response to the problems owing to rapid industrialization, the Progressive Era ushered in widespread social and political reform spanning from roughly 1890-1920. One specific area that progressives advocated for reform was in the vocational education and rehabilitation of people with physical disabilities. The 1919 Smith-Hughes Act legislated for vocational rehabilitation of returning soldiers, and in 1920, the Smith-Fess Act extended rehabilitation to qualifying civilians, but excluded the blind. [2] According to Perry McAshan McCall’s master’s thesis, “A Progressive City During a Frivolous Decade: a Study of Social Concern in Houston, Texas, during the 1920s”: “Houston shared many of its attributes with other cities in the United States during the ‘Progressive Era’ and the pre-world war days. Women’s Clubs fostered at first literary societies and then evolved their interests to include civic projects such as libraries, kindergartens, public health, city beautification, art, music, and private charities. National charitable organizations found support in Houston as did local church groups. The city government took on progressive tones when the Commissioner form of government was established.” Despite the waning “progressive spirit” through the rest of the United States during the 1920s, Houston maintained the momentum due to a combination of a robust economy augmented by the new ship channel, an exploding population, and the civic-minded outlook of leading citizens. [3]It was during the pre-war apex of the Progressive Era that the Lions Club organization was established. Lions Club founder and Chicago businessman Melvin Jones suggested to his local business club that they should focus not only on business issues, but also on the improvement of their communities, and the world. The first national convention of Lions Clubs International was held at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas, Texas, on October 8, 1917, with Secretary Charles J. Kirk representing the Houston affiliate, giving Houston the distinction of being a “founder club.” At the convention, Kirk advocated for women to become constitutional members, citing the several Houston business women were active in the Houston chapter. In 1925, at the Lions international convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, Helen Keller tasked the Lions to become “Knights in the crusade against darkness.” [4] Within the microcosm of Houston’s lingering progressivism, Dandy Lions, Inc., was initiated as an industrial department of the Houston Lions Club under the formal supervision of the Major Activities Committee. I. C. Timmins, club president from 1925-1926, spearheaded the project, and served as charter president for the new venture, with W. H. Hillebrand serving as vice president. The operation was first housed on the ground floor of the Medical Arts Building at 816 Caroline, and later moved to 1900 Louisiana St. [5] Timmins espoused the belief that the blind could attain self-sufficiency through the sheltered shop model, and at the counsel of two local golf professionals, Dandy Lions workers began to produce golf ball bags in “an attractive harvest shade embroidered in turkey red.” Production started at 70 bags per day, but with the “ambition” and “persistence” of the workers, eventually peaked at 700 bags per day. A mail campaign to country clubs throughout the United States defined the market for the product, and the initial capitalization of $10,000 realized a $25,000 gross return. Contented with the initial success of the operation, a Lions publication in 1928 stated: “An occupation had been found whereby the blind could become self-supporting and happy, despite their handicap, demonstrating that they could triumph over misfortune if given the opportunity, and life themselves above the cruel necessity of seeking and receiving charity.” The Dandy Lions workshop was also seen as a social opportunity where workers might meet potential spouses. [6] Production expanded to include laundry bags ($1.75-$2.50), locker door bags ($3.50-$4.00), shoe and slipper bags ($2.50), plain aprons (.75c-$1.25), and nurse’s uniforms, maid’s uniforms, and house dresses. Uniforms eventually became the primary focus of production, with “Each of these blind workers…turning out an average of five finished uniforms daily, with seams double stitched and piped, and workmanship, design and style equal, if not superior, to the finest on the market”. Dandy Lions workers also assisted in external projects utilizing their sewing skills such as decorating the Sam Houston Hall for the 1928 Democratic National Convention. Workers were contracted by Mr. O. B. Todd of the Todd Decorating Company to dress up the building with “thousands of flags and acres and acres of red, white and blue bunting,” which Dandy Lion workers cut and prepared. Dandy Lions, Inc. remained in operation for over a decade, last appearing in the Houston city directory in 1939, and represented the manifestation of progressive era ideals in Houston. [7] References: [2] Richard K. Scoth. "Smith-Fess Act." In Burch, Susan, ed. Encyclopedia of American Disability History.New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2009. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE52&iPin=EADH0645&SingleRecord=True, accessed December 7, 2015. [3]Perry McAshan McCAll, “A Progressive City During a Frivolous Decade: a Study of Social Concern in Houston, Texas, during the 1920s” (MA diss., Texas A & M, 1971), pp. iv-v, 50. [5] Ike L. Hill, The Book of Houston, 1928 (Houston, Texas: Lions Club of Houston, 1928?), pp. 81-84; “Dandy Lions, Inc., is a New Factory Here,” Daily Court Review (Houston, Texas), Sept. 12, 1927; Houston city directory, 1939; Listed in the 1937 Houston City Directory as “Dandy Lion Uniform Co” at 1900 Louisiana St. [6] Hill, The Book of Houston, 1928 (Houston, Texas: Lions Club of Houston, 1928?), pp. 81-84 [7] Hill, The Book of Houston, 1928 (Houston, Texas: Lions Club of Houston, 1928?), pp. 81-84; “Dandy Lions, Inc., is New Factory Here,” Daily Court Review, Sept. 12, 1927; “Blind Decorate Convention Hall,” Austin Summer Texan (Austin, Texas), June 28, 1928.
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October 1, 2015 – January 16, 2016 Exhibit: Asian Americans in Houston: A Kaleidoscope of Cultures The Heritage Society Museum Gallery 1100 Bagby St, 77002 The focus of the exhibition is on Asian Americans in Houston and their many contributions to the city and its culture. Topics include an overview of Asian immigration, a Buddhist temple, and stories of Houstonians who trace their ancestry to China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. The exhibit brings to life stories in the fall 2015 issue of Houston History magazine by featuring artifacts, photographs (including photographs from HMRC collections), and documents representing a cultural bridge between Asians and Houstonians. December 1, 2015 – March 15, 2016 Exhibit: Asian-Americans in Houston: Images from the HMRC Collections Julia Ideson Building, North Gallery, 1st and 2nd floor display cases 550 McKinney St., 77002 This exhibit was created by HMRC photo archivist Tim Ronk to complement the Heritage Society exhibition and Houston History magazine article. December 14, 2015 – March 14, 2016 Exhibit: Remembering World War II: Houston’s Latino Veterans Veteran’s Affairs Houston Regional Office 6900 Almeda Rd, 77030 World War II was a major turning point for Latinos as the war offered a space to display their allegiance and patriotism on and off the battlefield. When the United States declared war on December 8, 1941 Latinos in Houston were among the thousands that rushed to enlist. Estimates state that roughly 500,000 U.S. Hispanics served during war. Despite an atmosphere of prejudice that existed in Houston and other parts of the nation, an extraordinary number of Latinos stepped forward willingly as Americans to join the cause. Through archival documents and photographs held at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, and through oral histories conducted by staff and volunteers, this exhibit reflects the experiences of and pays homage to Houston’s Latina and Latino veterans of the Second World War. January 25, 2016 6:00PM (reception), 7:00PM (program) Friends of the Texas Room Quarterly Meeting featuring speaker Jim Gast Speaker: Jim Gast—The Astrodome: Building an American Spectacle Julia Ideson Building, Auditorium 550 McKinney St, 77002 James Gast is a registered architect specializing in large-scale public infrastructure projects. A former Houston resident, he has more than 30 years of major project experience in Texas and throughout North America. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University. Gast will speak on his book The Astrodome: Building an American Spectacle, the first book to look in-depth at the design and construction of the Astrodome. It tells the story of the creation and early days of the first domed stadium, highlighting the people who participated and the unprecedented solutions they developed for problems that had not previously existed. It places the building in its historic context among worldwide architectural and engineering accomplishments, as well as its cultural setting in mid-century America. The Astrodome: Building an American Spectacle is the result of more than a year’s research using both primary-source archival material and interviews with the participants. March 7, 2016 5:45PM – 7:45PM Event: City of Houston Flag unveiling Julia Ideson Building, 77002 Join Houston Public Library and City of Houston officials for the unveiling of the newly restored 1915 City of Houston flag. Forgotten for nearly a century, the flag was discovered by Frank Descant in the garage of a cousin whose father was an avid memorabilia collector. Descant donated the flag to Preservation Houston, who, in conjunction with a $500 grant from the North American Vexillogical Association, raised the funds necessary for conservation work to be conducted by Jessica Hack of New Orleans. Mayor Ben Campbell initiated the design contest, and the winning selection was submitted by Major W. A. Wheeldon, and drawn by Mrs. J. W. Greenhill, Jr (Violet Stanuell Greenhill?). The original design for the 3 x 5 dark blue flag featured a single star and the coat of arms of the Sam Houston family; however, the judging panel replaced the heraldic component with the city seal. The prototype was produced by Levy Brothers Department store, and the official iteration, produced in New York City, was first flown on July 4, 1915.
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Collections at Work: Title: Murder & Mayhem in Houston: Historic Bayou City CrimeYear: 2014 Author: Mike Vance & John Nova Lomax ISBN: 978-1-62619-521-9 HMRC Call Number: 364.1097641 V222 TXR-D Description:
When the Allen brothers sold Houston's first lots, the city became a magnet for enterprising tycoons and opportunistic crooks alike. As the young city grew, a scourge of crime and vice accompanied the success of oil and real estate. The Bayou City's seedy side--flashing Bowie knives, privileged bad boys, hardened prostitutes and unchecked serial killers--established its hold. From a young Clyde Barrow to the Man Who Killed Halloween," Houston's past is filled with bloody tales, heartbreaking loss and despicable deeds. Authors Mike Vance and John Nova Lomax shine a light on these dark days."
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Hours of Operation: Mondays | 10 AM - 6 PM Tuesdays | 10 AM - 6 PM Wednesdays | 10 AM - 8 PM Thursdays | 10 AM - 6 PM Saturday | 10 AM - 5 PM To search the Houston Public Library catalog for HMRC’s materials, choose the "Advanced Search" option here: https://halan.sdp.sirsi.net/client/hou, then limit your search by library to “Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Ideson Building.”
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