History

The South Texas Archives, a division of the James C. Jernigan Library at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, houses archival materials documenting the rich history of both South Texas and the University.

In 1925, during the inception of the University, Professor John E. Conner felt that history would be more interesting to university students if, as a teaching tool, those students collected historical documents and artifacts, and assisted in building a museum and archives on campus. As the collections grew the collections required an increasing amount of space and in 1929 were housed in the back of the main academic building, which was then designated as the John E. Conner Museum.

In 1978, the South Texas Archives was established as a part of the Conner Museum, and was tasked with the preservation, cataloging, and public access for historical documents collected by the University History Department, the John Conner Museum, the Jernigan Library, the Robert J. Kleberg History Club, and the South Texas Historical Association.

In 1981, the University drafted a proposal for the South Texas Regional Studies Program with three components: The John E. Conner Museum; the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Institute; and the South Texas Archives. Ultimately, the Regional Studies Program did not materialize, but the Kleberg Wildlife Institute became a part of the College of Agriculture, and in 1982 the South Texas Archives was designated as the official depository for University historical documents.

In 1995, the South Texas Archives separated from the Conner Museum, and became a part of the James C. Jernigan Library, and in 1999 the rare book collection at the Jernigan Library was co-mingled with the rare book collection of the archives, and the archives became the South Texas Archives and Special Collections.

Donations

The South Texas Archives welcomes donations of materials that document the history and evolution of TAMUK from administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the general public. Materials of particular interest include records of student organizations and social clubs, records of academic programs and schools, college publications, faculty and staff biographical records, and documentation of life at TAMUK.

We also house personal papers, family papers, and organizational records that may provide insight into the history of the community as it relates to the broader history and heritage of South Texas and Northern Mexico. When you donate historical documents to the South Texas Archives, that history will be preserved as part of our history and made available to scholars and researchers for all time to come.

Donations are considered gifts to the archives, and donors will be asked to sign a deed of gift document acknowledging the transfer of ownership to the archives. The archives collect materials in all formats, including paper, photographs, memorabilia, audio/visual materials, and electronic records.

Policies

• Patrons must register at the kiosk to use Archives materials.
• All Archives materials are in a closed collection. Patrons may not enter or browse the collections vault.
• Only 2 items (boxes, folders, books, microfilm reels, artifacts) per patron may be called from the vault at a time. Materials listed in the Archives database are not guaranteed to be available or in an accessible condition.
• Personal property (briefcases, bags, purses, notebooks, binders, coats) are not permitted at the reading table. Personal items may be stored on a holding cart if requested.
• Materials MUST be handled with care. They MUST NOT be written on, altered, leaned on, folded differently, traced, or weighted. Gloves will be issued to patrons handling fragile materials. Patrons MUST wash hands w/ soap and water prior to handling.
• ONLY pencils may be used for research. NO PENS.
• Laptops are permitted. Electrical outlets are located under the main reading table. Cell phones may be used to take pictures.
• The Archives is a public research environment. Cell phone use, tobacco, food, gum, and beverages are NOT permitted.
• Patrons may request copies of materials. The Archives staff will determine whether or not materials can be safely or legally reproduced.
• The patron assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright, right-to-privacy, literary property rights, libel, and any other applicable federal or state statutes.
• Failure to conform to the Archives guidelines and terms of use may result in the refusal of access to Archives materials and / or patron removal from the Archives area.

Addresses

Mailing Address

South Texas Archives
MSC 197
700 University Blvd
Kingsville, TX 78363

Physical Address

South Texas Archives
James C. Jernigan Library
1050 University Blvd
Kingsville, TX 78363

Map Location