Tyrrell Historical Library

History

Originally, the Library was known as the Tyrrell Public Library and served as Beaumont's main public library. In 1975, it was converted to become a historical research repository. Restoration of the library began in 1989, and construction was completed in 1991. Since then, the Library has greatly expanded, with a new archival and genealogy annex being built in 2009.

Contributions

Some of the Library's most important archival collections are the General Photographic Archives, the John H. Dollinger, Inc., Records, the Westminster Presbyterian Church Records, the Southeast Texas Postcards Collection, the Gilbert Family Papers, and the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce Photographs. The variety of these records, which include business records, religious records, and personal papers, help present a multi-faceted view of life in Beaumont in the past. Through the mediums of text and images, they help researchers thoroughly understand historical Beaumont, as well as southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. The collections chosen for inclusion on the Portal represent some of the Library's most intriguing historical photographs and images. These images, and the complete digitized collections, may be viewed at the Tyrrell's own digital collection site: http://cdm16058.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/

The Tyrrell Historical Library also holds important genealogy records. It primarily focuses on genealogy of the South and New England, with especially important holdings on Texas and Louisiana genealogy. Researchers are encouraged to utilize our resources when creating their family trees. The Library additionally possesses an outstanding collection of Texana history books, which cover all eras of Texas history and cover all topics, such as social histories, military histories, economic histories, political histories, and more.

Funding

The Library is supported by the Tyrrell Historical Library Association, a group dedicated to preserving the library and helping it take its place as a premier library in Texas. The THLA has proven a worthy ally as the Tyrrell Library works to achieve its goals, and we thank them for their many years of continued support.