Developing Houston: Photographic Treasures from the Cecil Thomson Collection Opens at the San Jacinto Museum of History

Calling all Houston History Buffs!

Experience Houston as it was in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  A collection of photographs and period artifacts that depict that era have been selected to make up the latest show to open at the San Jacinto Museum of History.  The exhibit opens the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend - May 24, 2008 - and will run one year.  (The Museum will be open on Memorial Day.)

Developing Houston: Photographic Treasures from the Cecil Thomson Collection captures the neighborhoods, businesses, notables, buildings and events that defined Houston and the surrounding region over a period of more than eighty-five years (1865-1950).  Photographs in the exhibit have been selected from the Museum's Cecil Thomson Collection of over 800 of his works.  These photos were acquired by Jesse H. Jones and were given to the Museum by the Houston Endowment, Inc. in 1955.

The exhibit also features contemporary photographs that are paired with their historic counterparts to tell the story of the growth and the incredible impact that changes in industry and technology have had on Houston and the surrounding regions.  The evolution of city blocks where landmark buildings such as the Rice Hotel and the Niels Esperson building still stand is documented - showing what was there before they were built, the building process, and later remodeling efforts.

Several period artifacts have been chosen to be displayed to help tell the story of the period.  A collection of firefighting artifacts from the late 19th century are featured with photos from the first fire halls in Houston.  Stunning Art Deco jewelry is paried with photos of buildings that exemplified the streamlined style of the era.  Not only does Developing Houston showcase photographs of landmark buildings, there are photographs from early local beauty pageants, movie premiers, and the Houston Livestock show that are displayed in a manner that is both fun and informative. 

Just as the San Jacinto Museum offers teacher curriculum guides to help make a visit to the Museum a meaningful educational experience, a curriculum guide specific to this exhibit is available online at www.sanjacinto-museum.org.

Developing Houston: Photographic Treasures from the Cecil Thomson Collection is generously sponsored by Bank of America.

School field trips:  Thousands of school children visit the San Jacinto Museum of History and Monument each year to learn about Texas history.  In addition to viewing the photo exhibit, a field trip can include several educational opportunities:

• touring the San Jacinto Museum exhibits, which showcase the history of Texas and the Spanish Southwest;
• riding the elevator to the top of the 567-foot monument with its views of the Houston skyline, the Ship Channel and looking down across the sacred battlefield;
• watching the award-winning 35-minute presentation, Texas Forever!! The Battle of San Jacinto housed in the 160-seat Jesse H. Jones Theatre for Texas Studies.  The presentation tells the Texas story from the Spanish colonial period through the Battle of San Jacinto to the westward expansion of the United States to the Pacific Ocean.

Tickets for Developing Houston: Photographic Treasures from the Cecil Thomson Collection are $5 for adults, $3 for children 11 and younger, $4.50 for senior citizens 65 and older, and $2 for school groups.  Combo tickets are available and include admission to the theater, elevator ride to the top of the Monument and admission to the exhibit.  Combo ticket prices are $12 for adults, $8 for children, $10.50 for seniors, and $4 for school groups.  Museum members may visit free of charge.

The San Jacinto Museum of History is located inside the Monument on the 1,200-acre San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site near Houston in the Pasadena/Deer Park/La Porte area.  Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  For more information, call the Museum at 281.479.2421 or visit www.sanjacinto-museum.org.

The state park includes the historic battleground, the Monument and Museum, the marsh boardwalk and the Battleship TEXAS.  Admission to the park is $1 per adult and free for children ages 12 and under.  Tours of the battleship can be booked at 281.479.2431, ext. 234.  For additional information, visit www.tpwd.state.tx.ux/park/sanjac.

Media Contact:

SELLMARK

Dianne Powell

Marketing Coordinator

Work: 210.824-9474

Cell 210.887.8777

dpsellmark@aol.com