A Guide to the Vivian Johnson Hamlin Terrett Papers, 1966-1990

Biographical Note

Vivian Johnson Hamlin Terrett was born on August 31, 1903, in Cameron, Texas. Her first husband, Winfield Scott Hamlin, served in the U.S. Air Force, and she traveled extensively with him during his years of military service. After his death, she married Dulany Terrett in 1983.

Mrs. Terrett spent most of her adult life as a resident of San Antonio, Texas. During her years in San Antonio, Mrs. Terrett held a number of leadership positions in civic and historical preservation organizations. Positions included: Chairman, "A Night in Old San Antonio," 1960-1961; President, San Antonio Conservation Society, 1961-1963 and 1971-1973; Director, Fiesta San Antonio Commission, 1961-1966; President, Texas State Historic Theatre Foundation of San Jose Mission, 1964; Vice-President, and founding member, San Antonio Arts Council, 1965-1966; President, Woman's Pavilion for HemisFair, 1966-1968; and Chairman, San Antonio Bicentennial Commission, 1975-1977. She was an active member of other civic and cultural organizations and received numerous citations for her work in them, including "Clubwoman of the Year" given by the San Antonio Express-News in 1963.

Mrs. Terrett died March 14, 2001.

Sources: "Notice for Sunday Express News March 18, 2001" and "Biographical Sketch—Vivian Johnson Hamlin Terrett" located in the Personal section of the Terrett Papers.

Scope and Content Note

Printed material, correspondence, reports, photographs, scrapbook material, and artifacts, 1966-90, document Vivian Johnson Hamlin Terrett's work in civic and cultural organizations in San Antonio, Texas, and, to a much lesser extent, her personal life during the time of this work.

The documents are grouped by subject: Personal, HemisFair '68, Night in Old San Antonio, and the San Antonio Bicentennial Commission. Personal documents include a chronological timeline of Mrs. Terrett's work, a narrative of her life submitted to the San Antonio Express News at the time of her death, and a copy of the eulogy given at her funeral. Notable personal items also include awards received by Mrs. Terrett, as well as several letters and Christmas cards from President and Lady Bird Johnson, and President Nixon.

Notable examples of documentation of Mrs. Terrett's work with the Woman's Pavilion (at HemisFair '68) are press releases of the Pavilion's activities and the President's notebook, which contain names of officers and the board of directors and meeting agendas. Also included with the HemisFair '68 materials are documents related to the 20th and 25th anniversary celebrations of the Fair.

San Antonio's unique Fiesta celebration is represented through a few newspaper clippings about a Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA), and glossy color print ads that include images of Mrs. Terrett. Records of her work with the San Antonio Bicentennial Commission include special publications describing the city's celebration of the event, press releases, correspondence, a program of the musical Voices of Freedom, and a 45 rpm recording "Celebrate the Spirit of '76." A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA) materials include newspaper clippings and glossy color print ads that include Ms. Terrett.

Artifacts include memorabilia from HemisFair '68 and the San Antonio celebration of the U.S. Bicentennial.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Researchers are required to wear gloves provided by the Archives when reviewing photographic materials. Otherwise, there are no restrictions on these materials.

Usage Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Vivian Johnson Hamlin Terrett Papers must be obtained from the UTSA Archives.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Vivian Johnson Hamlin Terrett Papers, 1966-1990, MS 100, Archives and Special Collections, University of Texas at San Antonio Library.

Acquisition Information

All materials in this collection were donated by Mr. Tom Purdum, Mrs. Terrett's nephew, in 2000 (Acc. 2000-021).

Processing Information

Processed by Kathy Rankin, January 2004.

Detailed Description of the Collection