South Texas Archives and Special Collections facts for kids

The South Texas Archives and Special Collections is like a super important treasure chest! It's part of the James C. Jernigan Library at Texas A&M University–Kingsville. Its main job is to collect and keep safe old documents. These documents tell us all about the history and nature of South Texas. You can find the Archives on the third floor of the James C. Jernigan Library in Kingsville, Texas.

How the Archives Began

The South Texas Archives officially started in 1981. But the idea of collecting historical documents began much earlier. Professor John E. Conner started gathering these items. He joined the History Department when the South Texas State Teachers College was new.

Professor Conner's Early Collection

In 1925, the college opened its doors. Professor Conner was the head of the History Department. He also served as a Dean. People in the area started giving him their "family treasures." They wanted to save their past for future historians. Dr. Conner loved Texas history. He happily took these items. He stored them wherever he could. This was the start of a small museum.

By the late 1940s, the collection grew very large. Dr. Conner was given more space. An area called "The Forum" was used. This was an open-air spot where students had speeches and graduations. It was about 2,000 square feet. This area was walled in. It became the first John E. Conner Museum. It wasn't perfect, with no heat or air conditioning. But it had space for the growing collection.

Growing and Moving the Collection

In 1964, Dr. Conner retired. He had worked at Texas College of Arts & Industries. This college was renamed in 1929. After he left, the History Department took care of the collection. Different historians managed the Museum.

In 1972, Ms. Jimmie Picquet became the director. She moved the Museum to a new building. It was on the main street of the campus. In 1981, she asked the University to officially create the South Texas Archives. It became a part of the John Conner Museum.

The Archives' Important Mission

The new Archives had a special job. It was to save the history of rural, farming South Texas and northern Mexico. It also made these records available for people to study. The Archives became a Regional Historical Records Depository. This means it was an official place to keep historical records. It was named the official Archives for the Texas A&I University. It also became home to the South Texas Historical Association. This group publishes a journal about South Texas.

In 1995, the South Texas Archives joined the James C. Jernigan Library. This was at Texas A&M University–Kingsville. The university was renamed in 1993. The Archives gained academic status. Its mission grew to include rare books from the Library. In 2009, the South Texas Archives moved again. It moved from Lila Baugh Hall to the James C. Jernigan Library.

What the Archives Holds Today

Today, the South Texas Archives and Special Collections is very busy. It collects and saves documents. These documents share information about the history, stories, politics, culture, and nature of South Texas.

Here are some of the things you can find there:

1. Personal and Family Papers: These include letters, diaries, and legal papers. They are in both English and Spanish.
2. Group Records: These are papers from different organizations. They have letters, reports, and photos.
3. Visual Images: This means pictures! You can find photos, old postcards, drawings, and even videotapes.
4. Sound Recordings: These are recordings of people talking about history. They are called oral histories. You can find them in English and Spanish.
5. Printed Materials: This includes old newspapers, magazines, and pamphlets. All of them are about South Texas.
6. University Records: These are the official papers of the university itself. They show the history of the school. It has been known by many names over the years.
7. Book Collection: There are special books about South Texas history and nature. You can also find books about Texas during the Civil War. There are many books about railroad history and ranching in South Texas.
8. Government Records: The Archives also keeps official records from local governments. These include records from cities, counties, and schools. They have records from eleven nearby counties. These records can be viewed on microfilm.

The South Texas Archives also has large collections from important people. These include State Senator Carlos. F. Truan. You can also find papers from State Representative Irma Rangel. And there are records from an early South Texas leader, County Judge J.T. Canales.