H.R. No. 789
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor
1-2 the founders and supporters of the Texas Heritage Archives and
1-3 Library, one of the finest private collections of Texana ever to be
1-4 unveiled to the public; and
1-5 WHEREAS, This distinguished institution was established by
1-6 the B. B. Barr Foundation, a Dallas-based nonprofit organization
1-7 that was founded in 1988 for the express purpose of creating a
1-8 unique facility that could serve as a museum, a repository for
1-9 historic documents, and a meeting place for lectures, seminars,
1-10 symposia, and other functions; and
1-11 WHEREAS, After unavoidable delays, the site of the proposed
1-12 facility was shifted from Dallas to Jefferson, where in August 1992
1-13 the foundation purchased the historic Haywood House, whose
1-14 suitability to contain a Texana collection was enhanced by its own
1-15 colorful past; and
1-16 WHEREAS, Following its completion just before the outbreak of
1-17 the Civil War, the Haywood House was regarded by many as the finest
1-18 hotel west of the Mississippi; although the four-story structure
1-19 was severely damaged by fire in 1868, it would continue to serve as
1-20 a residence for members of the Haywood, Moseley, and Braden
1-21 families for 90 years, and after the death of its last resident,
1-22 Clarence Braden, in 1962, more than $55,000 in coin was found
1-23 scattered throughout the building; and
1-24 WHEREAS, Among the priceless items in the museum's catalog
2-1 are letters and other documents signed by Moses Austin, Stephen F.
2-2 Austin, Sam Houston, William B. Travis, James Fannin, and other
2-3 notable Texians and the 1513 Waldseemuller map, which is widely
2-4 regarded as the first map of the territory that would later be
2-5 known as Texas; and
2-6 WHEREAS, Many hardworking and dedicated individuals have
2-7 contributed to the Texas Heritage Archives and Library's extensive
2-8 collections; B. B. Barr, the founder and chairman of the
2-9 foundation, and John Rowe III, the president of Southwest
2-10 Numismatics in Dallas, have spent decades assembling a Texana
2-11 library and collecting old banknotes and maps; and
2-12 WHEREAS, The Amon Carter estate contributed "The Texas
2-13 Emigrant," a superb collection of documents dating from the early
2-14 Empresarial Period through Reconstruction and consisting of 150
2-15 original manuscripts, grants, surveys, and certificates; and
2-16 WHEREAS, In March 1993, the Texas Bankers Association
2-17 contributed to the museum its own fine collection of artifacts and
2-18 archives chronicling the first 100 years of banking in Texas, as
2-19 well as equipment and exhibit materials; and
2-20 WHEREAS, Through their diligence, determination, and
2-21 generosity, those who have helped to bring the Texas Heritage
2-22 Archives and Library into being have preserved a lasting legacy
2-23 that will be enjoyed by present and future generations of Texans
2-24 for many years to come, and this exemplary achievement is truly
2-25 deserving of special legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it
2-26 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
2-27 Legislature hereby commend the founders and supporters of the Texas
3-1 Heritage Archives and Library and extend to them sincere best
3-2 wishes for continued success in the future; and, be it further
3-3 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-4 prepared for the Texas Heritage Archives and Library as an
3-5 expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
3-6 Ramsay
3-7 expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
3-8 Carona
3-9 Ramsay