Manuscript Collections
Overview
Special Collections holds a variety of historical manuscript collections. These include personal papers, organizational records, and other unique collections. Many of the collections are personal papers of TCU faculty and alumni.
Researchers may search or browse our finding aids through Archives Space
Amon G. Carter Papers
The Amon G. Carter Papers consist of correspondence, photographs, newspapers, scrapbooks, and artifacts documenting Carter's life and career in newspaper publishing, oil, cattle, radio and television, and aviation. The papers document the social, cultural, and business history of Fort Worth, Texas, and the Southwest, as well as Carter's personal and business interests
Jim Wright Papers
The Jim Wright Papers consists of correspondence, reports, speeches, photographs, audiovisual material, books, and memorabilia that document his 34 year career in the U.S. Congress and his tenure as Speaker of the House. The collection also documents his long post-Congressional career as an instructor in Political Science at TCU
Other notable collections
Ninnie Baird & Mrs. Baird's Bakeries Papers
Advertising and marketing material, press releases, newsletters, correspondence, clippings, photographs, scrapbooks, portfolios, memorabilia, video and audio commercials document the life and work of Mrs. Baird's Bakeries founder Ninnie L. Baird and the business activities of the company from 1887-2002.
Finding aid for the Ninnie Baird & Mrs. Baird's Bakeries Papers
Bell Family Papers
Documents, largely with photographs, the careers of the members of the Bell Vaudeville company. Series I contains the photographs and other information on the Bell family, while series II and III are small collections of the personal papers of Edward André Bell, Jr. and his wife, Harriet Griffith Inniss, respectively.
The Bell Family Papers have been digitized and are available in our digital repository.
Joseph Lynn Clark Papers
The son of Randolph Clark and nephew of Addison Clark, the founders of Texas Christian University graduated from TCU and went on to teach at Sam Houston State University in the history department. Clark was also a co-founder and member of the Texas Commission on Interracial Cooperation. His papers include correspondence, manuscripts, legal documents, financial records, pamphlets, teaching and research materials, sermons, photographs, and artifacts documenting his life and the Clark family from 1751-1969.
Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
The records include correspondence, newspaper clippings, photographs, and publications related to the growth, history, and economic development of Fort Worth. There is notably a large section on aviation with the development of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
Grace Halsell Papers
Papers related to Halsell's published and unpublished works, as well as personal correspondence and research material. Halsell's writings and research material provide insight into racial and sexual relations during the 1960s and 1970s.
Some of the Grace Halsell Papers have been digitized and are available in our digital repository.
Edgar Scudder Hamilton Papers
Correspondence and photographs document the life and career of Texas-born artist Edgar Scudder Hamilton. The papers contain primarily personal correspondence from Edgar to his family, expressing the concerns, aspirations, and lifestyle of a struggling portrait artist in Paris.
William Jackson Hammond Papers
Hammond taught history at TCU from 1929 to 1966. He became mayor of Fort Worth in 1937. The collection consists of items related to university and city affairs and includes correspondence, newspapers and newspaper clippings, course materials, writings, speeches, and documents from various clubs and associations.
Joseph Warren Hays Papers
Joseph Warren Hays was a pilot in the Army Air Corps during WWII. He served from January 1943 through November 1945. Hays flew missions over Europe in 1945 as a co-pilot of a B-24 Liberator with the 446th Bombardment Group. After the war, he returned to TCU to complete his degree in Economics. The collection includes a complete set of letters written by Joseph Warren Hays to his family while serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II.
Jarvis-Van Zandt Family Papers
Includes legal documents, land titles, photographs, personal correspondence, news clippings, genealogy notes, and ephemera. The papers begin with correspondence from Ida Van Zandt Jarvis and James J. Jarvis. Subsequent accessions contain records pertaining to various family members including Daniel Beall Jarvis, Khleber Miller Van Zandt, and Ann Day McDermott. The papers do not include substantial information about Texas Christian University, although some correspondence and administrative materials related to Ida Van Zandt and her son Van Zandt Jarvis pertain to TCU students' life at the turn of the century.
Linda Kaye Collection
Consists of prints, negatives, contact sheets, slides, and digital images taken by TCU photographer Linda Kaye. Kaye took most of these photographs between the late-1970s and 2007. The majority of the photographs concern athletics in some way (team pictures, shots of individual athletes and coaches, game action, etc.) with campus scenes and other campus events rounding out the collection.
The Linda Kaye Collection has been digitized and is available in our digital repository.
The Love Family Letters
The Love brothers—Cyrus, Samuel, James, John, and, eventually, Robert—fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War as part of Terry's Texas Rangers and the 6th Texas Cavalry. They came from Tehuacana, Limestone County, Texas. The collection contains letters written by several sons in the Love family during the Civil War, offering a glimpse into life on the battlefield and at home. Many famous people and battles are referenced.
The Love Family Letters have been digitized and are available in our digital repository.
Harold Maples Editorial Cartoon Collection
The collection consists entirely of original editorial cartoons by Harold Maples published in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram from 1954 through 1981. He covered the major local, national, and international events of the late 20th century. Known nationally for his skillfully executed drawings, Maples gave each a distinctive Texas flavor.
The Harold Maples Collection has been digitized and is available in our digital repository.
Finding aid for the Harold Maples Editorial Cartoon Collection
Ruth Millett Papers
Correspondence, photographs, printed material, programs, invitations, announcements, speeches, writings, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, and newspaper slicks document Ruth Millett's life and career as a newspaper columnist from 1927 through her retirement in 1967.
Dave Oliphant Papers
The papers consist of correspondence, Oliphant's writings, and the publications produced by Prickly Pear Press.
Tom B. Saunders Family Papers
The Saunders Family came to Fort Worth in 1902 and formed one of the strongest livestock businesses on Exchange Street. Administrative records, correspondence, and memorabilia document the Tom B. Saunders Company from 1899 to 1974. The collection includes material on other notable Texas trail drivers collected by the family. The family's Fort Worth Stock Show planning material is also included.
The Tom B. Saunders Family Papers have been digitized and are available in our digital repository.