Matt Richardson showcases a College of Business enrollment brochure from the early 1940s
Last week the C. T. Bauer College of Business hosted their third annual Gold & Silver Cougar Alumni Luncheon, where current Bauer students mixed and mingled with graduates from 25 and 50 years ago.
The University of Houston Special Collections contributed to the festivities as University Archivist Mary Manning and Program Manager Matt Richardson attended the reunion, showcasing a veritable mobile museum of artifacts documenting the history of the C. T. Bauer College of Business as well as the storied history of the university. Pulled from a number of collections in the University Archives, the tabletop displays prominently featured the Bauer College of Business Records and UH Photographs Collection, including old College of Business brochures advertising various focuses of study (including Air Stewardess training!), photographs and documents chronicling the construction and dedication of Melcher Hall, commencement programs from the 1964 and 1989 classes being honored, as well as yearbooks and various items showcasing UH Traditions (like Frontier Fiesta) and athletics milestones (like the Game of the Century).
A rare treat indeed to see these gems away from their cloistered confines in the Special Collections Reading Room and those in attendance seemed most appreciative as they strolled down memory lane.
Bauer alumni and guests enjoying artifacts from the University Archives
When asked about their involvement in reunion events like these, Mary Manning replied, “University Archives loves to be involved in alumni events. We love to show off all the great documents, photographs, and artifacts we have in our collections. Our materials remind alumni of their time at UH, and University Archives staff always learn something new about the history of UH from alumni—sometimes it even leads to alumni donating their memorabilia to the archives. It is a win-win situation. And a lot of fun!”
More pictures of the Bauer Gold and Silver Cougar Luncheon can be viewed here. All of the artifacts mentioned above, and more, are available for study with a simple trip to Special Collections.
Members of USS Houston Survivors Association and Next Generations view exhibit
On Friday, March 14th, the UH Libraries hosted a reception for members of the USS Houston Survivors Association and the Next Generations, who were visiting Houston for their annual reunion. The organization was established in 1946 to bring together surviving crew members of the heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA-30), who had fought together in the Battle of the Java Sea, and spent 3 1/2 years together as prisoners of war. In 1981, the Survivors Association donated to the Libraries a set of historic documents, letters, photographs, and memorabilia which became known as the Cruiser Houston Collection.
Bill Ingram, former crew member of the USS Houston (CA-30)
In attendance this year were survivors Bill Ingram and Howard Brooks. Ingram was the second youngest crew member on the ship, having enlisted in the Navy at seventeen. Many family members of other Houston crew members were also present, as well as historian Don Kehn, author of A Blue Sea of Blood: Deciphering the Mysterious Fate of the USS Edsall. The group enjoyed the opportunity to view the USS Houston Exhibition, have some cake and lemonade, and relax in the camaraderie of longtime friends.
Teresa Reilly, widow of John D. Reilly, with Howard Brooks, former crew member of the USS Houston (CA-30)
UH Special Collections wishes Howard Brooks a speedy recovery after his recent fall.
USS Houston Survivors Association and the Next Generations historian Don Kehn
Fred Hekking, Special Collections student worker Bryan Bishop, Jerry Ranger, and Bill Ingram
From the exhibit: Shellac-coated metal record (sent to radio stations as promotional materials for Frontier Fiesta in its heyday) and “Tombstone” jacket
A new exhibition of the University of Houston’s history is now on display with last night’s grand opening of “Frontier Fiesta: The Greatest College Show on Earth” at the MD Anderson Library.
A University of Houston tradition, Frontier Fiesta began in 1940 as a mishmash of musical and theatrical performances, cook-offs, carnival booths, and concessions. Held in the spring, Fiesta volunteers transform a piece of land on campus into a western frontier-style town called Fiesta City. This year’s Fiesta will include variety shows, carnival booths, the always popular cook-off, and musical performances from a number of national acts, highlighted by the appearance of B.O.B. (see a full schedule of events here).
Last night’s opening festivities reinforced the theme of an event that unifies, as Cougars of all ages flocked to hear comments from a number of speakers including Frontier Fiesta Chairman Hunter Lewis and distinguished alumnus Welcome Wilson Sr. on the importance of the history of Frontier Fiesta to the narrative of the University of Houston.
The exhibit includes programs, jackets, photographs, and other ephemera documenting the three runs of what once known as the greatest college show on earth. Some artifacts for the exhibit have been loaned by generous individuals and organizations with ties to Frontier Fiesta while others come from our impressive University Archives and, specifically, the Frontier Fiesta Records available for study in the Special Collections Reading Room.
From the exhibit: Costume and Photograph from “Devil’s Dance,” Beta Chi Sorority, Silver Moon Saloon. 1954
At last night’s opening, exhibit curator Mary Manning provided guided tours of the exhibit which traces the Fiesta’s history from the humble origins in 1940, through its heyday of the post-World War II years, and on into its revival in the 1990s and beyond. The timeline weaves together what Richard “Racehorse” Haynes (UH Law, 1956) saw as an ambitious endeavor, “a lot of kids trying to make tradition, trying to make something that would bring the city into the university and the university into the city,” in the absence of any other long-established history and tradition for such a young university.
We encourage you to visit Fiesta City this weekend on the lovely University of Houston campus and invite you to indulge in the history of the exhibit, “Frontier Fiesta: The Greatest College Show on Earth,” on display now through June 6, 2014 on the first floor of the MD Anderson Library.
Toni at home in Houston, with a carpet of fallen ginkgo leaves
Archivist Vince Lee of the Carey C. Shuart Women’s Archive and Research Collection will showcase artifacts from the recently acquired Toni Beauchamp Papers at Table Talk 2014, presented by the University of Houston Friends of Women’s Studies on Thursday, February 27th.
Defining Toni Beauchamp’s legacy in Houston is an exciting challenge. The term “patron” was often applied to her during her lifetime and certainly remains today. However, her involvement with art went beyond mere patronage, and we may find that word to be too narrow, now. The role of art was exemplified into two spheres in her life, civic duty and personal advocacy. Her involvement and leadership on such public projects involving the renovation of Buffalo Bayou and Market Square Park fulfilled a vision that art, thoughtfully integrated with urban design, results in beautification, preservation, and forging an identity for the community. Art was also very personal for Toni. Art provided her a means to shape and influence the community, forge friendships, and most importantly it was an opportunity for her to educate and share information with others.
Toni and Jeff Beauchamp at their first apartment
Her connection to the University of Houston dates back to 1973, when she earned her BA in Art and where she would later serve as assistant director of the Blaffer Gallery. The acquisition of her papers, thanks to the generosity of her husband Jeff Beauchamp, has us very excited to begin the work of processing, arranging, and making these materials available for study to scholars both local and abroad. These papers complement other offerings in Special Collections like her collection of essays, Good, and “Remembrances of Toni” (a collection of reflections on Toni’s life) compiled by her husband Jeff. The spirit and legacy of Beauchamp make her papers a natural fit amongst the other bold women at the vanguard, whose collections grace the stacks of the Shuart Women’s Archive.
Archivist Vince Lee, Jeff Beauchamp, and personal assistant Kim Pence, overseeing the transfer of the Toni Beauchamp Papers
At Table Talk 2014 Vince Lee will have artifacts from Toni Beauchamp’s work on Good, as well as her involvement with the “Buffalo Bayou Master Plan” and “Market Square Park Project.” Friends of Women Studies hosts the annual Table Talk series, “a fascinating combination of conversations over lunch, led by dynamic women of various cultures, professions and experience at each table,” benefiting Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies at the University of Houston. A list of Conversationalists attending this 17th annual Table Talk can be found here.
Time permitting, be sure to attend Table Talk 2014 and visit with Vince Lee for more information regarding the legacy of Toni Beauchamp, the research potential her papers will offer, and their new home in the Carey C. Shuart Women’s Archive and Research Collection.
Pictured here is the 220 ton star atop the San Jacinto Monument (from the George Fuermann “Texas and Houston” Collection and our Digital Library)
University of Houston Special Collections and dozens of other academic institutions have partnered with PBS and American Experience to create a crowd-sourced, interactive map of some of the most significant engineering feats in the history of the United States–the Engineering Map of America.
Part of the Mapping History project, the Engineering Map of America will explore the marriage of science and technology that allowed the greatest engineering marvels to come to fruition. Similar to their previous Abolitionist Map of America, Mapping History is developing this resource through the contributions of the community at large. Complete with an app for your iPhone, this Mapping History endeavor will officially launch alongside the premiere of The Rise and Fall of Penn Station on February 18, 2014. However, in hopes of soliciting resource material prior to the premiere, American Experience is sponsoring a contest. The individual and institution with the most contributions to the map will win an American Experience DVD (see complete rules and details) as well as the envy of the larger engineering community.
American Experience initially approached our office about partnering on this project after discovering materials in our Digital Library. Since then, the University of Houston Special Collections has contributed resources on the Astrodome, the San Jacinto Monument, the Houston Ship Channel Turning Basin, as well as the Galveston Seawall.
Join in on the fun and be sure that your personal favorite engineering challenges and innovations are highlighted by adding your own resources to the interactive map.