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On
page 1B of the June 24, 2003 Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
an article titled "Home found for school archives"
reported on a collection that was in the process of being
moved.
Quoting
the article:
"When retired teacher and
administrator Billy Sills died last fall, countless
bits of fact and folklore about the Fort Worth
school district died with him.
But, because of Sills' years of
work, a trove of district history remains for future
generations."
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The article mentions the old home of the archives being four
rooms, packed to the ceiling with documents and artifacts,
some dating to the 1880's. It speaks of the many hours Sills'
volunteered and how that this was his passion.
Billy
W. Sills Center for Archives
Fort
Worth Independent School District
The
collection is now located in an 8,500 square foot home on the
second floor of the Metro Opportunity School at 2720 Cullen
Street. The stairs are located just inside the front door.
Photocopies are reasonable at 15 cents/page. They can do a
small amount of research for you, but they recommend that you
visit in person.
Introduction
Soon
after becoming a social studies teacher, Billy W.
Sills began collecting artifacts and other material
about the FWISD and its history. In 1963 he was
appointed the first full-time social studies
consultant, and with the help of the Fort Worth
Council for the Social Studies and others, the
archives continued to grow. The Board of Education
honored him in 1983 by naming the archives Billy W.
Sills Center for Archives.
Archive
Goals
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To
collect and preserve educational artifacts and
related materials for posterity.
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To
exhibit those materials to the public in an
interesting and informative fashion.
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To
make the collection available to educators and
students for scholarly study and research.
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To
collaborate with local schools and community groups
in the study of educational history.
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Archives
Research
The
Center contains a number of items available for
research.
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Biographies |
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Board
Minutes |
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Courses
of Study |
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FWISD
Data |
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Individual
School Data |
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Magazines |
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Microfiche
Records |
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PTA
Scrapbooks |
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School
Annuals / Yearbooks |
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Slides |
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Textbooks |
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Transparencies
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Archives
Museum
The
Archives Center houses a variety of artifacts for
public viewing.
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Early
and current photographs |
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Paintings
from closed schools |
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Facsimile
of the Liberty Bell |
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Replica
of an early classroom |
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Green
B. Trimble's desk |
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William
B. Green's chair |
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Athletic
Memorabilia - banners, trophies |
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Equipment
- typewriters, microscopes, mimescopes, stereoscopes
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Board
photos and history |
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Superintendent
photos and history
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Archives
Staff and Hours
The
Archives Center is staffed and operated by
volunteer, Lawrence Maynard. Leon Mitchell, Jr.,
former social studies teacher with Mr. Sills, is the
head curator.
An
Advisory Committee meets monthly to assist the
curator and discuss future plans for the center.
Hours
of Operation
Open
Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Outside
the above hours, please make an appointment. Call
817-871-3107 for either individual or class
research. If no answer, leave a message and
telephone number. We will reply as soon as possible.
Archives
Needs
The
Archives continually needs volunteers and funds.
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Call
817-871-3107 to volunteer |
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Friends
of the Billy W. Sills Archives Fund
Attn: Carolyn Creel
100 N. University Dr., Ste. 240NE
Fort Worth, TX 76107 |
Billy
W. Sills Center for Archives
2720 Cullen Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
(817) 871-3107
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