Neither Slave Nor Free: The Plight of Freedmen in the Antebellum South Historians don’t know much about Phebe Martin, a free black woman born on the eve of the American Revolution. Mississippi court documents from the first decade of the 19th century suggest a harrowing story. Those documents, recently unearthed… read more
Landmark Southern Exhibit to Inaugurate Reopening
Landmark Southern Exhibit to Inaugurate Reopening Debuting in the Briscoe Center’s new 3,500-square-foot exhibit hall, Exploring the American South: The Briscoe Center’s Southern History Collections, is on display from April 10 to September 17. “It is fitting that the Briscoe Center’s unrivalled southern history collections form the basis for our… read more
Briscoe Center Receives 175-foot Historic Belo Mural
Briscoe Center Receives 175-foot Historic Belo Mural The Briscoe Center has received a historic mural, commissioned in the 1940s by the A. H. Belo Corporation, owners of the Dallas Morning News. Painted by the acclaimed muralist Perry Nichols with assistance from other Texas artists, the 175-foot mural depicts Texas history… read more
The John Dominis Photographic Archive
The John Dominis Photographic Archive The Briscoe Center has acquired the photographic archive of John Dominis, one of Life magazine’s most celebrated photojournalists. Perhaps his best-known photograph is from the Mexico Olympics of 1968, showing American Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos giving the Black Power salute during the national… read more
Renovation Updates: Exhibits and Reopenings
New Exhibits Set to Inaugurate Renovation Completion The Briscoe Center’s public service spaces, located in Sid Richardson Hall Unit 2 on the University of Texas at Austin campus, will reopen Monday April, 10. The newly renovated spaces include a reading room and three distinct areas for exhibitions—the exhibit hall, the… read more
Quilt Exhibit at Winedale
Comfort and Glory to be displayed at the Winedale Historical Complex February 13—25, 2017 Location: Winedale Historical Complex 3738 FM2714 Round Top, TX 78954 Exhibit Dates: February 13—25, 2017, 10 a.m.—4 p.m. This year’s annual Winedale quilt exhibition showcases thirteen quilt treasures from the Briscoe Center’s Winedale Quilt Collection.… read more
Rare 1844 Election Ribbon Acquired
Rare 1844 Election Ribbon Acquired The Briscoe Center has acquired a rare campaign ribbon from the 1844 presidential election. It was made in support of Whig candidate Henry Clay, who opposed plans for annexation of the Republic of Texas by the United States. “Between the Texas Revolution in 1836 and… read more
In Memoriam: Whitney Smith
In Memoriam: Whitney Smith The Briscoe Center pays tribute to Dr. Whitney Smith, who died on November 17, 2016. He was 76 years old. Dr. Smith was the world’s preeminent scholar on the history of flags and heraldry (Vexillology) and the founder of the Flag Research Center, whose archives were… read more
Center Acquires the Bob McNeely Photographic Archive
Robert McNeely Photographic Archive The Briscoe Center has acquired the Robert McNeely Photographic Archive. McNeely’s career in photojournalism includes work as a White House photographer in the administrations of presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. His new book, The Making of Hillary Clinton, will be published in December by the… read more
In Memoriam: William Dean Justice
In Memoriam: William Dean Justice The Briscoe Center is saddened by news of the death of William Dean Justice at the age of 88. Justice, a longtime friend of the center, was the first director of the Frank Erwin Center at the University of Texas at Austin. “Dean was a… read more
