In the spring of 2010, the state of the art archival wing of the Julia Ideson Building was completed and became the new home to collections of the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, later renamed to the Houston History Research Center (HHRC). It was the first step in the expansion and restoration of this architectural jewel, which first opened in 1926. With the premier exhibition, Theater of Memories, Cabinet of Curiousities, the HHRC brought some of its unique artifacts back into the julia Ideson Building's new gallery space, once three floors of the original archives, giving the to the term "memory room" a double meaning. The Houston Public Library extends an invitation to view the gifts and accomplishments of those who came before and to celebrate the opportunities awaiting future scholars, collectors, donors and connoisseurs of Houston's history.
This exhibit was on view in the Julia Ideson Building from December 5, 2011 through May 5, 2012.
This exhibit was on view in the Julia Ideson Building from December 5, 2011 through May 5, 2012.
Exhibit Background
The Kunstkammer or Wunderkammer ("wonder-room"), also called a "theater of the world" or a "theater of memory," originated in Renaissance Europe as an encyclopedic collection of wondrous objects gathered together into a cabinet to represent a microcosm of the world's diversity. New to the eye, these un-cataloged objects, mysterious, magical, and strange, were juxtaposed in combination and recombination, raising questions about the history of man and his relationship to the natural world. Naturalists, physicians, and other scientists, along with artists, cataloged and described these curious specimens, leading to the writing of books about them, and, furthermore, Libraries to house these writings.
In turn of the century Houston, the public library became a repository for citizens to donate treasured items from around the world, in addition to books. As the city grew and the library expanded, Julia Ideson, first librarian and world Traveler, also recognized the importance of Houston's place in history. She encouraged the acquisition of local artifacts, including journals, manuscripts, and ephemera.
In 1926, this building, later named for Ms. Ideson, was erected. By 1976, the Houston History Research Center (HHRC), in partnership with the University of Houston and Rice University, opened and began collecting a diversity of archival materials documenting the equally varied history of the region. Within the archives, personal history coincided with politics and war concerns. Record-keeping collections were filed alongside musical manuscripts or sermons, framed items, blueprints or posters. Commerce and industry, science and mechanics, sports and entertainment sat side by side.
In turn of the century Houston, the public library became a repository for citizens to donate treasured items from around the world, in addition to books. As the city grew and the library expanded, Julia Ideson, first librarian and world Traveler, also recognized the importance of Houston's place in history. She encouraged the acquisition of local artifacts, including journals, manuscripts, and ephemera.
In 1926, this building, later named for Ms. Ideson, was erected. By 1976, the Houston History Research Center (HHRC), in partnership with the University of Houston and Rice University, opened and began collecting a diversity of archival materials documenting the equally varied history of the region. Within the archives, personal history coincided with politics and war concerns. Record-keeping collections were filed alongside musical manuscripts or sermons, framed items, blueprints or posters. Commerce and industry, science and mechanics, sports and entertainment sat side by side.