History of TCC's Archives

College Archives and the Heritage Room

TCC's College Archives department was officially established in 2010, thanks in part to a National Historical Publications and Records Commission grant that helped jump-start the program.

However, the archive's origins date back to the mid-1970s when local genealogy groups collaborated with College officials to establish an on-campus heritage center for the purpose of collecting and preserving local history. Through their cooperative efforts, the Heritage Room was opened in the fall of 1975 on the Northeast Campus. 

Special Collections

Over the next 45 years, a unique collection of archival materials have been accumulated. TCC is one of just a few Texas community colleges fortunate enough to have a sizable collection of donated historical materials in its archives.

The Heritage Room Special Collections, as they are collectively entitled, are a rich and valuable resource on local Texas history and culture for the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  

The collections include approximately 8,000 items including:

  • Artifacts
  • Books
  • Manuscripts
  • Maps
  • Pamphlets
  • Photographs

The extensive photograph collections contains images of:

  • Businesses
  • Cattle Drives
  • Cemeteries
  • Churches
  • Courthouses
  • Forts
  • Landmarks
  • Lawmen
  • Outlaws
  • Pioneers
  • Schools

Updated June 27, 2023