The Texas Collection

10/15/2026

Before the State Fair of Texas ends on the 18th, we wanted to share this postcard of a landmark from the original 1936 campus. The Hall of Negro Life opened on Juneteenth, 1936, and was one of the original buildings opened for the Texas Centennial Exposition. It would draw 400,000 visitors (some 60% off whom were white during a time when the larger fairgrounds were segregated) during the fair's run before being demolished (alongside more than half of the original exposition buildings) to create space for other fairground uses. Near its original site today sits the African American Museum of Dallas, which hosts an exhibit on the Hall of Negro Life.

General Postcard Collection, .471

10/05/2026

Records from an important part of Waco's history are now open for research via online finding aid! The St. James Methodist Church records are accessible via BARD (https://libraryarchives.baylor.edu/repositories/2/resources/2357) from anywhere in the world.

St. James was an important part of Waco's Black church community for more than a century; today, it is under renovation to become an event venue space known as 2nd and Clay.

Many thanks to Lane Murphy for his work digitizing the photos in these montages, all of which are part of our photographic archives. They can be found in P2C-5 OVZ boxes, S2E-19 document boxes.

09/29/2026

Today! Join us in Moody Memorial Library from 2-4pm for a pop-up exhibit in honor of Hispanic History Month. View artifacts and materials highlighting the state’s rich history and connection with Mexico and the Mexican American population. First 150 attendees will receive a free popsicle from Helados la Azteca!

09/21/2026

This year, September 21 marks the 47th birthday of the W. R. Poage Library at Baylor University, home to the Baylor Collections of Political Materials (BCPM) and the Graduate Research Center (GRC).

The story of the Poage Library began in 1973 when friends and colleagues of long-time Congressman W. R. Poage (11th District of Texas, 1937-1978) established a fundraising committee for a library to house Poage’s sizeable collection of political papers.

Their successful venture expanded the library budget from the original $100,000-$300,000 estimate to the $1.5 million provided by donors, including Baylor University.

In the years since the Poage Library’s 1979 opening and dedication, BCPM has grown to house nearly 100 archival collections.

09/11/2026

The events of September 11, 2001 dramatically altered the course of our nation's history. In the aftermath of the attacks, U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Texas) wrote these undated notes titled "My Observations Since Sept. 11." They bring back the immediate feelings many experienced in the days following the attacks and are a vivid reminder of how public tragedies can impact those who serve in elected government.

09/04/2026

As we head into Labor Day weekend, we're sharing these ca. 1950s photos by photographer Fred Marlar of workers at the L.L. Sams and Sons Furniture Company in Waco. You can find more in this series in the Baylor Digital Collections (digitalcollections.baylor.edu) or in The Texas Collection holdings.

Title:
Waco-Businesses-Furniture Stores-L.L. Sams and Sons Church Furniture Company

Identifier:
TC #2980 - Fred Marlar Collection

Creator:
Marlar, Fred

08/31/2026

As we wrap up August and the "dog days" of summer, what better way to celebrate than to show off photos of some of the goodest boys and girls? From Fred Gildersleeve's dog, Jack; to BU, beloved of the Baylor first family; to comfort dogs, moped riders and those out for a walk, dogs and Baylor University go hand in hand!

Digital ID’s:
tx-gildersleeve-0430-pho_b004-f14-i025, .430
bu-mcom-pho_2006-09-20_rr_38382, .382
bu-mcom-pho_2016-09-27_nr_campus-sunset-131_nr_91836, .382
bu-mcom-pho_2016-12-08_rr-study-296_rr_96707, .382
20170921_rr_54432, .382
bu-mcom-pho_rr-studydogs-982_2015-05-06_rr_43964, .382

08/21/2026

What does it take to succeed in your career? BCPM graduate student Yeshi Lhamo found some interesting advice during her work in our archives, and she writes about it in this week's blog post!

(BCPM) Wanted: Poise, communication skills by Eric Ames on August 21, 2026 in Announcements • 0 Comments This blog post was written by graduate assistant Yeshi Lhamo, a master’s student at Truett Seminary. When the spring semester comes to a close each year, Baylor campus transforms into f...

08/19/2026

As we welcome the class of 2030 to campus today and tomorrow, we're sharing these images are from from the August 2013 Move In Day! These are from the BU Records: Marketing and Communications: BU Photography Collection, .382.

Welcome, new !

08/11/2026

This photograph from the 1970s shows a group of students touring the Austin Moore-Elizabeth Barrett Browning Salon at the Armstrong Browning Library, Baylor University.

FYI: You can see much more content like this in our digitized yearbooks (Round Up) and newspaper (Lariat) collections available here: https://digitalcollections-baylor.quartexcollections.com/texas-collection-1

Source: General Photo File .3976, Folder: Baylor-Buildings-Armstrong Browning Library-Austin Moore-Elizabeth Barrett Browning Salon, Box 25 Folder 13.

Digital ID: tx-phoarch-pho_gen-bu-bls-000198