Annual Report
2002-2003

 VC/UHV Library

Gifts and Memorials

During the year, the library has received over 3,000 gift books and documents.

Especially notable is the Barry Crouch Collection. Barry Crouch was a scholar and teacher of history at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. He was the author of several books, including one on the Freedman's Bureau, which was set up at the end of the Civil War to supervise relief and education for freed slaves. The collection acquired by the VC/UHV Library from his estate includes Professor Crouch's academic papers, books, documents and maps, much of it focused on the post-Civil War period of Reconstruction. Dr. James Smallwood, professor emeritus from Oklahoma State University, is assisting the Victoria Regional History Center staff with accessioning and organizing the Crouch Collection. Dr. Smallwood and Dr. Crouch were co-authors with Larry Peacock of Murder and Mayhem: The War of Reconstruction in Texas, published by Texas A&M University Press.

Another extensive gift collection is the personal genealogical library of Dorothy Meyer, former librarian and genealogist. Her collection of genealogical and local history materials regarding the Lousiana parishes and French Acadien immigrants has contributed to the VC/UHV Library Main book collection. The library thanks Mrs. Marilyn Logan, Dorothy's daughter, for the collection.

Genealogical records were donated by Elaine W. Wagner. The records cover the MIller, Williams, May and Kemper families, early settlers of the area.

The Dr. Ann Mary Gossman Ashworth Collection contains genealogical materials about many familes from the Victoria area, including the Taylors, Strothers, scurlocks, Raglands, Avents, Pendeltons, Gaines, Bickfords, and Ashwordths. The miscellaneous collection includes original correspondence from family members as well as compiled genealogical research materials such as family trees/history sheets; books; and photocopies of historical documents.

Donated by the family, the Russell Sterling Whitmire collection includes his diploma and a photograph of the 1927 graduating class of Victoria Junior College.

Other gifts received this year include:

The Library thanks the generosity of the following donors of gift materials:

Gifts presented in memorial tribute from:

  • Dr. Karen Haynes, Mr. Jim Mickelson, and the UHV Family,in memory of Mrs. Carolyn Kamin
  • Dr. Karen Haynes, Mr. Jim Mickelson, and the UHV Family, in memory of Mr. Lester Meis
  • Dr. Karen Haynes, Mr. Jim Mickelson, and the UHV Family, in memory of Mrs. Estelle Green
  • Dr. Karen Haynes, Mr. Jim Mickelson, and the UHV Family, in memory of Mrs. Pearl Kaplan Abramson
  • Mrs. Sandra Williams, in memory of Louise Cooper