Abstract

The Abescoe Club was a social club for Bethlehem Shipyard employees and was created to promote social activities for employees of the company. The collection includes the “Abescoe News” newsletters from 1949 – 1958 (only partially inclusive) as well as approximately 400 photographs of club activities.

Abstract The American Legion is a nonprofit organization operated by and for American veterans. The Legion was established in 1919, and Beaumont’s Post 33 was founded soon after. The scrapbook contains photographs, newspaper clippings, and correspondence from 1948 and 1949 related to the homecoming of Beaumonter Perry Brown on the occasion of his election as the American Legion’s National Commander, the organization’s highest office. According to a handwritten note on the front page, the...

Abstract Annette Edwards Platt was a long-time English professor at Lamar University. The collection features photographs and scrapbooks of the Platt and Edwards families, spanning the twentieth century and documenting their lives in Southeast Texas and Louisiana. The collection also includes a scrapbook of newspaper clippings about World War II, loose family photots, and miscellanous objects, like a Beaumont telephone directory from 1922, a 1966 Neches River Festival Program, a Western Union...

Abstract

The Appleman family owned the first Buick dealership in Beaumont, and actively participated in the social life of the town. This collection of digital photographs, scanned from the originals, includes photographs of family members, their travels, the B. K. Appleman Buick dealership, and photographs of early Beaumont. It also includes advertisements for the B. K. Appleman Gumbo Bit and patent applications.

Abstract John Thomas ("Tom") Arrington grew up in Fayette County, West Virginia. While attending high school he met his future wife, Sandra Ray Beck. The couple soon dated and then in 1960 married. Tom Arrington went on to graduate with a chemistry degree from West Virginia University. In 1967, the Arrington family moved to Beaumont, Texas, where Tom assumed a position as chemist with the Goodyear Chemical Plant and then later with the Valspar Paint Plant. The family papers consist of photographs,...

Abstract The Art Museum of Southeast Texas was established in 1950 as the Beaumont Art Museum. The museum was originally located in a rented house on Calder Avenue and then in Old Town, Beaumont's Historic District, on a property donated by the family of J. Crooke Wilson. In 1987, the Beaumont Art Museum became the Art Museum of Southeast Texas and moved to its current location at 500 Main Street in downtown Beaumont.The Art Museum of Southeast Texas Beaumont Photographs Small Collection...

Abstract This collection is made up of records, photographs, and newspapers clippings related to the Banks family. The Banks family was a local family in Beaumont, Texas. This collection contains papers and keepsakes related primarily to Winona Banks, Charles Perkins, and Overton Banks. Winona Banks was born in Missouri in 1885. She would eventually move to Jefferson County, Texas and marry John Banks, a World War I veteran. They would go on to have four children: Winona, Overton, Lila, and Ernest....

Abstract Barrie Scardino Bradley is an author and scholar who has published several books on Texas architecture, including "Improbable Metropolis: Houston’s Architectural and Urban History" (2020, University of Texas Press) and "Fair Winds: The History of Kirby Corporation" (2017, Herring Press). She worked as the first architectural archivist for the City of Houston. She became executive director of the American Institute of Architects, Houston Chapter, and the Houston Architecture Foundation until...

Abstract A group of women established the Altrusa Club on April 11, 1917 in Nashville, Tennessee, as the first women's classified service club. The founders designed the organization as a "main channel through which women leaders in business and the professions can work together as an effective service force to help solve community and world problems and promote understanding among all people." This collection consists of correspondence, regular meetings and board of directors minutes, organizational...

Abstract The Beaumont Chamber of Commerce was organized on January 22, 1903, at a meeting attended by at least 165 people shortly after the Lucas Oil gusher was discovered in 1901. The subsequent activity at the Spindletop Hill oil field brought increased population and interest to the city, necessitating a chamber of commerce. The Chamber has been instrumental in the promotion and development of Beaumont and its industry, including the Port of Beaumont and the deep water (Neches River) shipping...

Abstract

The Beaumont Civic Opera Buffs were established in 1973 as a fundraising and publicity group for the Beaumont Civic Opera. The purpose of the Buffs was to aid the Beaumont Civic Opera in bringing high-quality performances to Beaumont and the surrounding area. The Buffs held fundraising events, sold tickets, and helped organize productions. This collection contains their administrative and financial records, as well as correspondence, programs, and scrapbooks.

Abstract

Founded in 1880, the Beaumont Enterprise newspaper has served its local community for over one hundred and thirty years. This collection contains newspaper clippings and photographs from the paper, organized by subject. The bulk of the materials were created in the 1970's and 1980's.

Abstract Beaumont Independent School District (BISD) originated in 1883 with Beaumont High School. By 1948, the district had absorbed French High School and established a high school for black students, Charlton-Pollard High School. In 1983, the original Beaumont ISD board voted to dissolve the district and officially merged with South Park ISD in 1984, forming the current Beaumont Independent School District. This collection is an artificial collection of community materials that consists of...

Abstract The Beaumont Interfaith Choral Society was founded in 1963 by the choirs of First United Methodist Church, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, First Christian Church, and Westminster Presbyterian Church to perform concerts of sacred choral music free of charge for the Beaumont community. During their many years of contribution to the music culture of Beaumont, members of the society have represented more than forty churches and synagogues. The collection includes business records, membership records,...

Abstract

The Beaumont branch of the Young Men's Christian Organization was formed in 1901 following the discovery of oil at Spindletop and the subsequent population boom. Throughout the 20th century, the Beaumont YMCA served as an important community center and continuously fundraised in order to open new locations and complexes. This collection consists of organizational records and historical materials related to the Beaumont chapter of the YMCA dating from the years 1903 to 1999.

Abstract

The Beaumont Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) dates back to 1911 and for several decades it provided enrichment and entertainment activities for women of all ages in the Beaumont area.

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The Bethlehem Lutheran Collection consists of church records, scrapbooks, and multimedia belonging to and produced by the Bethlhem Lutheran Church. The records include administrative, legal, financial, and historical records. There are also extensive newsletters, bulletins, and other publications. The church was founded by the fifteen original members in 1927. Over 200 families belonged to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church before it was closed permanently in 2015.

Abstract The Birdwell Family Papers consists of materials related to the Birdwell family and the Birdwell Fence Company. Contained in the personal correspondence are letters written and received by Seth and Jessamine Birdwell. Other items in these papers pertain to fence company correspondence with accompanying financial receipts, statements, and printed matter. Also found in this same collection are a poem book, newspaper clippings, photographs, Beaumont High School newsletters (1919-1922) and...

Abstract This collection is comprised of business and personal papers belonging to members of the Bogan family. The Bogan family lived in China, Texas, though Richard Bogan and his immediate family were natives of Grand Rapids, Michigan prior to moving to Texas. Richard Bogan was a rice farmer along with his partner, J. Roy Fontenot. This collection contains papers and correspondence related to their business and the local farming community. There is also personal correspondence and legal documents...

Abstract The Brooks Family Papers consists of four family members. Henry C. Brooks, Dorothy G. Brooks, and their two daughters, Rebecca A. Brooks and Nancy B. Neild. Mr. Brooks for many years managed the Fashion department store in Beaumont. His wife helped to raise their two daughters, Nancy and Rebecca. Nancy has long been active in several civic organizations in Beaumont including the Junior League and the the Spindletop Chairty Horse Show. Her sister, Rebecca, was a professional model and actress...

Abstract Camp Fire USA was founded by Luther Halsey Gulick, M.D. and his wife, Charlotte Gulick in 1910. The organization was formed, in part, as a response to the Boy Scouts and the lack of a similar group for girls at that time. The purpose of the organization was to promote personal and community growth through camping and outdoor activities. The local camp in Beaumont, Texas was founded in 1951-52 by the Beaumont Council of Camp Fire Girls. This collection was donated by Bitsy Barr, who attended...

Abstract American National Bank of Beaumont was formed on May 4, 1901. It quickly grew as a financial institution and in 1972 was merged with the name changed in 1981 to Texas Commerce Bank. This was followed in 1987 with the bank becoming an owned subsidiary of Chemical Bank Corporation of New York and in 1996 the name of the bank was changed to Chase Bank of Texas. Then in 1999 the bank was purchased and the name changed to Hibernia National Bank. And finally, in March of 2006 the bank was...

Abstract Charlene Kiker (1929-2004) was a lifelong resident of Beaumont, Texas. She worked as a secretary for over thirty years with Mobil Oil Corporation and was president of the Desk and Derrick Club of Beaumont. She had a strong interest in the arts and music and was also involved with the Beaumont Civic Opera, Beaumont Symphony Orchestra, Beaumont Music Commission, Melody Maids, Interfaith Choir, and the choir of the First United Methodist Church. The Charlene Kiker Papers consist of meeting...

Abstract

This collection is comprised of photographs and belongings of Charlotte Peters. Charlotte Peters was a graduate of Beaumont High School and a Princess in the 1962 Neches River Festival. She was an active member of her community both in Beaumont and Houston. She worked as a computer programmer, as well as a board member for Covenant House- an organization devoted to homeless teens. This collection contains documents and photographs of Peters.

Abstract Claire Rhorman is a resident of Beaumont, Texas. Her family moved from Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, to Port Arthur, Texas, when she was about three months old. She attended Port Arthur schools and continued living in the area into adulthood. Many of the photographs in this collection reflect family events and locations in and around Port Arthur. Her grandfather, Carlos Castille, inherited land in St. Martin Parish which had been in his family for about 200 years. A number of the early...

Abstract Cleveland Nisby was a prominent civic leader and activist in the Beaumont, Texas area. While employed by the Magnolia Refinery, Mr. Nisby worked to get union representation for Black workers and to eliminate dual lines of promotion for Black and White workers. In the 1960’s he made numerous appearances before local elected officials to encourage the hiring of Black clerical and professional employees. His efforts led to the hiring of the first Black employee hired for a clerical position in...

Abstract This small collection includes fifty-six photographs of Dodge trucks sold by the Jackson Motor Company in Beaumont, Texas, with logos of local area businesses painted on them. Some of the businesses displayed on the trucks are for bakeries, coffee companies, feed companies, the fire department, florists, funeral homes, furniture companies, grocery stores, hardware stores, ice companies, lumber companies, newspaper companies, office suppliers, oil companies, plumbers, and tobacco companies...

Abstract Clyde Vincent was a lifelong resident of Port Neches, Texas, who did extensive research on the cultural and historic heritage of the Acadian people of East Texas. He founded an organization called Les Arcadians du Texas which sponsored a choral group, tours to France and Canada, and the restoration of an authentic Acadian house. He also compiled genealogical information and engaged in efforts to preserve the Cajun language and culture. This collection includes genealogical records,...

Abstract

This collection is comprised of photographs taken of the Cochran family, friends, and relatives. The collection is split into two parts: family photographs and scenic photographs.

Abstract This collection contains correspondence to and from Walter Joshua Crawford during the 27 years he practiced law in Beaumont, Texas, as well as title abstracts and corporate stocks for land and businesses located in Jefferson, Hardin, Galveston, and Liberty Counties. Mr. Crawford was born in Mount Vernon, Franklin County, Texas, in 1873. He attended the University of Texas and after obtaining a law degree, he began practicing law in Beaumont. Mr. Crawford was active in politics throughout the...