Photograph of East Texans protesting expansion of the Big Thicket National Preserve on April 29, 1989. Their sign reads "Give me Liberty or Give me death, but Don't Give me 'Charlie'." Congressman Charles Wilson supported the expansion of the area protected by the federal government, an opinion that put him at odds with some of his constituents, particularly private property owners and those who made their living from the forest products industry.

Photograph of Congressman Charles Wilson interacting with the crowd at a protest of the expansion of the Big Thicket National Preserve, April 29, 1989.

Photograph of a sign at a protest against the expansion of the Big Thicket National Preserve in Southeast Texas on April 29, 1989. The sign, attached to a protestor's vehicle, reads, "'Timber Charlie' Stinks."

Photograph of State representative Charles Wilson outside of the Texas capitol with three supporters. Left to right: Joe Ned Dean, District Judge for Trinity County, Claudette Lowe of Lufkin, and Jeannie Wayland, who was Wilson's administrative assistant. April 22, 1965.

Photograph of Charles N. Wilson speaking in the Texas House of Representatives on April 20, 1961.