Manuscript/Archives Collections
These collections focus on Dallas and contain primary manuscript and archival records covering women's history, political and municipal history, architecture and community planning, performing arts, ethnic history, business history, and the history of organizations. Among the specific collections are the papers of Dallas City Councilwomen Juanita Craft and Anita Martinez; the editorial cartoons of Herc Ficklen, William McClanahan, and Bob Taylor; architectural plans and specifications used by Lakewood developers Dines & Kraft; the papers of theater director Margo Jones; and papers from the Santerre and Cretien families who were La Reunion colonists. Texas/Dallas History maintains a collection of approximately 300 oral history interviews with people who have helped shape Dallas history or been eyewitnesses to events of historical significance. These interviews are preserved on audiotape, and a number have been transcribed for easier reference use.
The links to the left are a guide to the Manuscript Archives Collection in the Texas/Dallas History and Archives Division of the Dallas Public Library. This Guide does not include the Historic Photograph Collection. For more detailed information and/or the use of these collections, contact the Archivist or inquire at the Texas/Dallas History and Archives Division Service desk (214-670-1435).
In some instances, we have online finding guides to the collections, and the Guide to Manuscript Collections includes links to the online finding guides when available.
KEY TO STATUS CODES AND OTHER SYMBOLS
| RC | Register or Finding Guide has been cataloged; these guides are located on the shelves behind the public service desk. |
| R | Register or Finding Guide available in collection file or first box |
| I | Preliminary inventory available in the collection file |
| U | Unprocessed, but USABLE; generally these collections are small or well organized. |
| O | Unprocessed; must be used only under the supervision of the Archivist. |
| C | Closed due to gift restrictions or temporarily closed due to processing |
LOCATION
| T/D | Located in the Texas/Dallas History and Archives Division, 7th floor |
| FA | Located in the Fine Arts Division, 4th floor |
The collection of archival materials is an on-going process. This guide is updated on a regular basis in order to keep our patrons up-to-date on what is available. The archivist would be happy to talk with potential donors about gifts to the archives.