Dorothy Vance Montgomery, musician and educator in Marshall, Texas. Born and reared in Marshall, she received several undergraduate and graduate degrees from Wiley College and the University of Southern California. She taught music in the Marshall Public Schools, 1930-1976. She also taught piano for 44 years at her private studio; was minister of music for 17 years at New Bethel Baptist Church; and was adjunct teacher for 2 years at Wiley College. The image shows her receiving one of several local awards for her long contribution to education.

Mrs. Izoria Malone was listed as 113 years old on records at the Harrison County Nursing Home when she was admitted there on January 29, 1974. She was possibly the second oldest resident in a United States nursing home at that time, and was certainly the oldest in the county. She died June, 1976 at the of 115. Article from The Marshall News Messenger newspaper, no date, reprinted in book, The Black Citizen and Democracy: Black Culture in Harrison County, Past, Present, and Future. Marshall Public Library, 1976, p. 86.

As the sign attests, N. Wellington Street runs one way to the south in Marshall. The street intersects with Houston (right foreground) after crossing W. Austin Street one block to the north. Businesses located along the section of N. Wellington shown in the picture would have included the Marshall National Bank motor branch, Birmingham Shopping Mart, Paxtons Appliances, Blairs TV Service, River's Seed Bin, McKay's Furniture Co., City Finance So., and Denney Cleaners. Along W. Austin Street right to left, were Marshall Barber Shop, Mays Studio, the Blalock Building, Joe Woods Radio & TV Service, Stacy Shoe Repair, Blue Bonnet Beauty Shop, Desota Imports-Exports, Austin Furniture Co., McGibbon Watch Repairing, Barkett Shoe Repairing, Parish Taxi Stand, and finally Marshall Public Library at the extreme left side of the picture. The picture likely dates from 1978 or later. The blue Oldsmobile vehicle on the left is a 1978 model.

The multi-story Marshall Hotel is a landmark in downtown Marshall. It is located on E. Houston Street. The corner shown is E. Houston and Lafayette. The building to the left of the hotel is the Mahon Building, was an office building at the time of the picture, c1970. After many years of standing empty and neglected, the hotel is currently under restoration.

Photograph of Mrs. Belle Crockett, who is wearing a light-colored shirt and sitting in a wheelchair.

Photograph of Marshall Public Library Director Mrs. Dorothy Morrison interviewing an unidentified African-American man for an oral history project. Morrison is wearing a blue dress, and the man is wearing black clothing.

Mrs. Audrey Kariel, who was Project Director for the building of the new Marshall Public Library in 1973, holds a plaque awarded for her work. The event occured in the library's Gold auditorium on its opening weekend, October 20, 1973. Mrs. Kariel said the plaque was "A suprise [for her] - recognizing her work to make the MPL's dream come true."

Mrs. Virginia Gold Olincy, trustee of the Andrew Norman Foundation, toasts the grand opening of the Marshall Public Library at the formal reception on October 20, 1973. Mrs. Olincy, a former librarian, and her sister, Ms. Bernice Gold Kranson, arranged for a large challenge grant from the Foundation toward the new library building as a memorial to their parents. Following the successful fund drive and construction, the library's auditorium was named "The Mose and Etta Gold Auditorium" as that memorial.

Mrs. Dorothy Morrison, Marshall Public Library Director, shows off a display about Liberty. In the center of the display is a replica of the Liberty Bell, given by Marshall National Bank in 1976. Mrs. Morrison holds a reproduction of a liberty document. Books, small flags and a model cannon round out the display.

The Opening of the new Marshall Public Library was headlined in the Marshall News Messenger newspaper article shown here. Mrs. Bernice Gold Kranson, standing left, was assisted by Mrs. Jane Treister, standing right, in the ribbon-cutting. Other dignitaries and scouts attend. The opening was Sunday, October 21, 1973. The building has been in continual use as a library since that day.

Mrs. Audrey D. Kariel, Project Coordinator, and Martin Spangler, Chairman, celebrate the new Marshall Public Library at the formal reception on October 20, 1973. Mrs. Kariel relates "Martin was an inspirational leader. Every agenda carried a quote with motivation. My favorite was 'Your ship cannot come in unless you send some out.' We had to send out many ships to build the new MPL."

Marshall, Texas, Mayor William Huffman (center) accepts the keys to the new bookmobile from Dr. A. F. Veau, (right), president of the Friends of a Public Library as City Manager Ray Jackson (left) looks on. In the background, W.C. Wallace, bookmobile driver, supervises a tour of the vehicle. Caption and photo from the Marshall News Messenger newspaper, Wednesday, April 12, 1978.

Library Director Dorothy Morrison shown discussing the Bookmobile project with Mike Wood, left, Friends of a Public Library president, and Fenn Lewis, Friends fund drive chairman. Behind them is the Winnebago used for the project.

Audry D. Kariel, Library Building Project Coordinator, with friend Janice Levy and Rabbi Richard Zionst at the dedication of the new Marshall Public Library building on October 21, 1973. Rabbi Zionst gave the invocation at the dedication ceremony, a choice which reflected the amount of financial support and hard work invested by the Marshall Jewish community in the new building.

Mrs. Audrey Kariel, Project Coordinator, stands in front of the wall plaque giving recognition to the founders of the new Marshall Public Library building, which opened in 1973. Mrs. Kariel also served as chairwoman of the library Board of Trustees and was an organizer of the Friends of a Public Library group that was instrumental in building the library. She dedicated seven years to making the library a reality.

Bill Moyers, second from left, talks with Harrison County residents who attended his speech at the Marshall Public Library during the United States Bicentennial in 1976. Mr. Moyers spoke on the value of libraries to democracy.

Library supporters cut the ribbon to open the new Marshall Public Library on Sunday, October 21, 1973. Left to right are Jane Treister, Ken Delp, and a Boy Scout.

Margie was a volunteer at Marshall Public Library in 1978. Here she assists at the circulation desk. Volunteers donated countless hours to the library during its early years.

In September, 1971, a challenge grant from the Andrew Norman Foundation was offered to the Friends of a Public Library in Marshall, Texas for the purpose of building a new library. The $150,000 offer was to be matched by funds raised in Marshall and Harrison County. Following a successful fund drive, the photo shows George Fenn Lewis, president of the Friends, endorsing a balance payment check for $110,000 before presenting it to Dick Brassell, secretary-treasurer of the Friends.

Mr. George Olincy, Chairman of the Andrew Norman Foundation, and Mrs. Bernice Gold Kranson were benefactors of the new Marshall Public Library building in 1973.

A student worker (name unknown) assists with book processing in the workroom of Marshall Public Library. The library is one of the locations used to place students from a local university's work-study program. This liason benefits the library by expanding its personnel. The students' duties include shelving, book processing, and assisting with storytime.

Jane Harris, library assistant, checks out one of Marshall Public Library's art prints to a patron (unidentified).

The new bookmobile at Marshall Public Library, c. 1978, is readied for use by two helpers (unidentified).

Two library staff members, unidentified, discuss business at Marshall Public Library's circulation desk in 1978.