Texas Archival Resources Online

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Descriptive Summary

Biographical Note

Scope and Contents

Arrangement

Restrictions

Index Terms

Administrative Information

Description of Series

Series 1: Oscar John Thomas

Series 2: Bessie Thomas

Series 3: Certificates

Series 4: Published Materials

Series 5: Photographs

Houston Public Library, Houston Metropolitan Research Center

O.J. and Bessie Thomas Collection:

An Inventory of Their Records at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library



Descriptive Summary

CreatorThomas, Bessie Aleda Hardaway Thomas, Oscar John
TitleO.J. and Bessie Thomas Collection
Inclusive Dates1894 to 1977
Bulk Dates1960 to 1969
IdentificationMSS 16
Extent1 document box : 2 lin. ft.
LanguageMaterials are in English.
RepositoryHouston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library

Biographical Note

Bessie Aleda Hardaway Thomas was born and raised in Cameron, Texas. She graduated from Prairie View A & M in 1923. Following her graduation she taught homemaking at Cameron Colored School.

Bessie Thomas and her husband Oscar John Thomas brought young women of color to Cameron and graciously housed them; permitting the women to complete high school and attend Prarie View A & M for college.

In her later years Bessie Thomas worked as Principal for Prairie View Elementary School. Her community advocacy included organizing Cameron's Federated Women's Club, the Prairie View First Methodist Church (1972) and the local Girl Scouts troop.

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Scope and Contents

The Joseph W. Evans Collection is comprised of documents reflecting primarily the education and achievements of Bessie Thomas and Oscar John Thomas. There is correspondence, awards, and photographs. Many of the records are related to their years at Prairie View A & M.

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Arrangement

The O.J. and Bessie Thomas Collection is comprised of five series. The series are organized by subject or format.
Series 1: Oscar John Thomas
Series 2: Bessie Thomas
Series 3: Certificates
Series 4: Published Materials
Series 5: Photographs

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

None.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish or reproduce materials from the O. J. and Bessie Thomas Collection must be obtained from the Houston Metropolitan Research Center or the appropriate copyright holder.

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Index Terms

Subjects
African Americans--Education--Texas
Civic leaders
Organizations
Federated Women's Club (Cameron, Tex.)
First Methodist Church (Prairie View, Tex.)
Girl Scouts of the United States of America
Prairie View A & M University
Prarie View Elementary School
Places
Cameron (Tex.)
Prairie View (Tex.)

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

The O. J. and Bessie Thomas Collection. Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library.

Acquisition Information

Donated by: Mrs. Willie Lee Gay, July 30, 1998.

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Detailed Description

 

Series 1: Oscar John Thomas

BoxFolder
11Chronology
2New Farmers of America
2Life Membership, The Colored Teachers’ State Assn. of Texas
3Thesis by Oscar John Thomas to Prairie View State College, Prairie View,Texas
4Alumni Award, O. J. Thomas from Prairie View A & M College

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Series 2: Bessie Thomas

BoxFolder
15Gifted Childrens’ Conference, 1964
Language Arts Workshop, Prairie View Workshop, Prairie View Agricultural & Mechanical College, 1964
Plaque, Prairie View Alumni Club, 1962

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Series 3: Certificates

BoxFolder
16Certificates, 1946 - 1964

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Series 4: Published Materials

BoxFolder
17Newspaper: Prairie View Standard, Prairie View A & M College of Texas
8Book: The Hidden Mystery of Ethiopia, J. E. Blayechatti, Abysinnia, East Africa

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Series 5: Photographs

Box
1
MSS1309.1O. J. and Bessie Thomas, Cameron, Texas
MSS1309.2 Unidentified
MSS1309.3 Emma Thomas
MSS1309.4 Horace __?_, Bessie Thomas, Pearl (Hill) and Horace Hill, Galveston, Texas
MSS1309.5 Athelene Long and Daisy McMillan
MSS1309.6 Mr. and Mrs. __?_ McMillan, Texas College
MSS1309.7 __?_ Thomas, brother-in-law of Mrs. Bessie Thomas
MSS1309.8 O. J. and Bessie Thomas

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