Special Collections
OVERVIEW
The Department of Special Collections is located on the ground floor of the Robert James Terry Library and houses published and unpublished materials that require special care and handling.
Special Collections includes the Traditional African Art Gallery and the Charles F. Heartman Collection. The Department houses the official records of Texas Southern University and has collected several manuscript collections. The largest of these collections is the Congresswoman Barbara Jordan Archives.
THE TRADITIONAL AFRICAN ART GALLERY
Dr. John Biggers, world-renowned artist, established the Art Department at Texas Southern University in 1949. One of his major goals for the University was to develop a collection of traditional Africa Art. Such a collection would enable the students at Texas Southern to develop a "perceptual growth" and cultural sensitivity to African art. In the early, 1970s, S.W. Mothershed, director of the University Library, used funds from the budget allocated for art books and library auxiliary funds to buy a few pieces of African Art. Mr. Mothershed also spearheaded the building of the Central Library African Art Gallery that presently houses the African Art Collection. When the collection was established during the 1970s fewer than one dozen collections of traditional African art were located at historically Black colleges and universities. The Collection contains 247 pieces of art from West African, Central Africa and East Africa. For more information, please contact the Art Department at 713-313-7339.
HEARTMAN COLLECTION
The Heartman Collection contains over 11,000 books, pamphlets, slave narratives, journals, musical scores, and other documents relating to the black experience in the United States and the world. The University acquired the original collection from Heartman in 1948 for the sum of $20,000. The Heartman Collection is named for Charles Frederick Heartman, a well- known antiquarian book dealer. One of his strongest legacies is in the field of Afro-Americana. During his lifetime, he developed two Heartman Collections. One is at Xavier University in New Orleans and the other is at Texas Southern University and is considered the largest African American collection in the southwest. The Department of Special Collections continues to purchase books that are culturally, political and socially landmark works that interpret and preserve the African American experience. The collection now includes over 22000 volumes.
ARCHIVES
Houston League of Business and Professional Women
The official Records of the organization including reports, histories, bylaws, programs,
videotapes and photographs.
Texas Southern University Archives
Dr. Charles Law was appointed as University Archivist in 1977. At that time, he published
the first bibliography of university documents. In 1979, Dr. Law developed a proposal
for the establishment of a University Archives at Texas Southern University. Since
that time, the archives in the library has housed the official records of Texas Southern
University. The records include board meeting minutes, presidential papers, yearbooks,
dissertations, photographs and other documents related to the history and development
of the institution.
MANUSCRIPT COLLECTIONS
Barbara Jordan Papers
Barbara Jordan (1936-1996) was the first African American woman to serve in the Texas
State Senate; she was the first African American U.S. Representative from Texas and
the first African American to deliver a keynote speech at the Democratic National
Convention. Jordan donated her papers to Texas Southern University in 1978. When Jordan
attended Texas Southern University 1952-1956, she was active on the Debate Team and
graduated magna cum laude.
Curtis Graves Papers
Curtis Graves (1938) was the first African American to serve in the State House since
Texas Reconstruction. Graves served in the House 1966-1972. Graves graduated from
Texas Southern University with a BBA in 1962.
Thomas Freeman Papers
The Freeman Papers are still being processed. Dr. Freeman has taught Philosophy at
Texas Southern University since 1949. He has also been the debate coach since 1949.
Under Dr. Freeman's leadership and guidance, the Texas Southern Debate Team has attained
international fame. He has been a powerful intellectual force in the African American
community and has had a number of outstanding students on the debate team. Some of
them include Barbara Jordan, Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis, Otis King, the first
African American City Attorney, Judge Andrew Jefferson and Dr. James Race.
POLICIES AND SERVICES
The materials in the Department of Special Collections may not be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan or to circulate. Researchers or individuals who would like to use the collections are encouraged to do the following:
THE ARCHIVAL COLLECTIONS
Write a letter that 1) identifies you and your group; 2) describes how the information requested will be used; 3) describes what information is needed from us and 4) if a visit to the archives is planned, please specify a tentative date. The letter may be faxed (713-313-1080) or e-mailed (chaffeegj@tsu) or mailed to the attention of Gary Chaffee, Robert J. Terry Library, Texas Southern University, 3100 Cleburne, Houston, Texas 77004. Special authorization must be obtained to use information or photographs from the archival collections. Contact Special Collections to obtain information regarding reproduction of photographs and materials.
HOURS OF SERVICE
The archival collections are opened by appointment, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. The Heartman Collection is open Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5pm, and is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Visitors are required to have a valid school ID or driver's license to gain access to the materials. A copy card can be purchased in the library for the photocopier.
DONATING PAPERS
The mission of the Special Collections unit is to acquire, preserve and make available materials of individuals and of non-profit and community-based organizations that document the contributions made by African Americans to Houston history. Collections focus on alumni, faculty, administrators or staff from Texas Southern University or individuals or organization from surrounding communities.
CONTACTING US
Gary Chaffee, Archivist, (713) 313-7298 Barbara Jordan Archives and Special Collections chaffeegj@tsu.edu
Ruth Bledsoe, Library Assistant (713) 313-7149
Heartman Collection
Joyce Thomas, Library Assistant (713) 313-4422
University Archives
