1835 letter of Col. Nicholas Copeland to his son-in-law Martin Bridgman of Arkansas, enticing him to move to Texas. The letter discusses the price of land and cattle, as well as the profitability of crops such as cotton and corn. Copeland adds a note for Harry Currin, a free African-American, stating that Texas is a safe place to settle. His land grant (settlement & fortification) described in the letter was 25 miles west of the Trinity River just before crossing the Navasota River. This letter was written at Robbins' Ferry on the Old San Antonio Road at the crossing of the Trinity River (letters went east from there to be carried & put in the US mail system).

Grant for 320 acres of land in Tarrant County to Gabriel B. Knight, "in Denton District. Tarrant County on Bear Creek in the Lower Cross Timbers . . . "

Grant for 320 acres of land in Van Zandt County to Peter S. Benton

Portrait of Tom Lister, visible from the chest up, wearing a dark-colored three-piece suit including a lighter shirt and checkered necktie.

Book describing the causes of the Spanish American War, the incident with the Battleship Maine, African Americans in the Navy, African Americans on San Juan Hill, Roosevelt, McKinley, Buffalo Soldiers, African American officers and regiments. General themes include civil rights and prejudice.

Framed studio portrait of Joe Lister, holding a hat and standing next to an elaborate wicker chair in front of a backdrop with a paisley design in the lower-left corner.

Studio-style portrait of Othello Norvell Lister [Hill] as a child in Ennis, Texas. She stands next to a wire-back chair and wears a light ruffled dress with dark stockings and shoes. A bow is in her hair.

Photograph of a frame house with wooden siding, shingled roof, and two brick chimneys. Two porches, supported by square columns, are visible. The central gable is decorated with "fish scale" shingles. The house is surrounded by lawn and faces an unpaved street. A sidewalk runs in front of the house and parallel to the street.

Photograph of three members of the Hill family. Ida Spikes Hill, Will Hill, and Ada Hill are outdoors in front of a picket fence. Trees and houses are visible in the background. The Hills are wearing coats and hats.

Studio portrait of a young couple. John Amus Clark, on the left, wears a three-piece suit and felt hat. Maude Woods Clark [Hembry], on the right, wears a striped blouse, a plaid skirt, and a straw hat.

Biography of Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee.

Postcard featuring the President's home at North Texas State Normal School. Mailed to Miss Comara Moon, Eastland, Tex.

A small booklet with several images of the devastation in Paris, Texas after the 1916 fire. From the private collection of Scott Muhn.

Postcard of a street scene in Decatur. The Wise County Courthouse is visible.

The Rev. Dr. Thomas McHutchin Cunningham (March 22, 1887 - March 3, 1979) wrote these letters to family members from April 14, 1918 to November 28, 1927. The letters detail his life as a minister in Texas and other locations. The letters are written from Stamford, Spur, Eliasville, Sherman, Gainesville, Orange, Boston (Mass.), Richmond (Va.), and Knoxville (Tn.). The letters detail church news, family life, and travel on the S.S. Leviaton in 1927 to visit London, Paris, and Jerusalem.

Framed studio portrait of baby Norvell Hill [Williams Reed] seated on an elaborate wicker bench. She is wearing a light-colored dress and dark shoes.

Teacher's contract for Pearl Vinson from 1924. The contract stipulates that she will teach for 7 months at a rate of $85/month in the Cross Roads Elementary in Cass County. Other signatures on the contract include J. F. Joyner, M.A. Harrell and R.E. Hall, trustees, and J. L. Lovelace, County Superintendant

Teacher's contract for Pearl Vinson from 1925. The contract stipulates that she will teach for 7 months at a rate of $85/month in the Cross Roads Elementary in Cass County. Other signatures on the contract include J. F. Joyner, M.A. Harrell and R.E. Hall, trustees, and J. F. Lovelace, County Superintendant.

Framed studio portrait of T. C. Hill, posing against a plain background and wearing a suit and hat.

Studio style portrait of Othello Norvell Lister Hill taken in the 1940's. She is wearing dark suit embellished with light braid trim, a locket, and button-style earrings.

Group portrait of participants in a banquet for Texas State College for Women's African American cafeteria employees and their wives, c. 1942. Pictured, back row, left to right are: Luther Lambert, Anna Lambert, Othello Hill, T. C. Hill, Velma Berry, Mr. Hollis, Norvell Hill Williams, Sanford Williams, Amanda Mohair, and Noble Holland. Pictured, front row, left to right are: C. J. Peace, Erma Peace, Mr. Miller, Dilly Miller, Dorothy Fox Fox, James Otis Fox, Lavada Hamilton, and Cliff Hamilton.

Group portrait of participants in a banquet for Texas State College for Women's African American cafeteria employees and their wives, c. 1942. Pictured, back row, left to right are: Luther Lambert, Anna Lambert, Othello Hill, T. C. Hill, Velma Berry, Mr. Hollis, Norvell Hill Williams, Sanford Williams, Amanda Mohair, and Noble Holland. Pictured, front row, left to right are: C. J. Peace, Erma Peace, Mr. Miller, Dilly Miller, Dorothy Fox Fox, James Otis Fox, Lavada Hamilton, and Cliff Hamilton.

Photograph shows T. C. Hill wearing a cook's apron and cap, and using a whisk to stir the contents of a bowl.

Portrait of Jennie Lou Logan Poole shows her wearing a dark coat with a fur ruff collar.