Wells Sessums Family Collection
Collection
Identifier: MSS 0020
Scope and Contents
The Wells Sessums Family Collection contains materials relating specifically to Cameron Wells Jr. and Cameron Wells, Sr. participation within the Boys Scouts. This collection, dated from 1919 to 1945, contains annual charter certificates, family photographs, correspondence, and miscellaneous items and memorabilia. The collection is small and not comprehensive but provides a glimpse into what being a Boy Scout was like for African American children during the time of segregation in Texas.
Dates
- 1919 - 1945
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish or reproduce materials from the Wells Sessums Family Collection must be obtained from the African American Library at the Gregory School or the appropriate copyright holder. Please ask reference staff for information and assistance on the possibility of photo duplication and any associated fees. The library reserves the right to restrict duplication.
Biographical note
Cameron S. Wells, Jr. was born on November, 16, 1930 at Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas. In his youth he was a member of the Boys Scouts as a bugler. His father, Cameron Wells, Sr. was a Scout Master that applied for and organized Troop 141 at Prairie View State College due to segregation. Troop 141 allowed African American children, and especially African American Boy Scouts throughout Texas, to participate in the activities associated with the Boy Scouts which would have otherwise been denied them during that time and place.
He went on to serve in the Army infantry before retiring as a Colonel in 1954. After coming out of the military, he worked as a substitute teacher in the Houston Independent School District (HISD). He was a substitute teacher at the Gregory Elementary School when Lois Brantley was the principal. He worked in HISD for the next 37 years as a teacher at Crawford Elementary,as Principal and ROTC instructor at Jack Yates High School, as Principal and Assistant Principal at Blackshell Elementary, and Principal of Bruce Elementary in Fifth Ward. Despite his job as an educator throughout these years he remained involved in working with the Boys Scouts during this time. He retired from HISD in 1991. He currently resides in Houston, Texas and in January, 2010 he participated in the African American Library at the Gregory School’s oral history project detailing his memories of being a Boy Scout and of the Gregory School.
He went on to serve in the Army infantry before retiring as a Colonel in 1954. After coming out of the military, he worked as a substitute teacher in the Houston Independent School District (HISD). He was a substitute teacher at the Gregory Elementary School when Lois Brantley was the principal. He worked in HISD for the next 37 years as a teacher at Crawford Elementary,as Principal and ROTC instructor at Jack Yates High School, as Principal and Assistant Principal at Blackshell Elementary, and Principal of Bruce Elementary in Fifth Ward. Despite his job as an educator throughout these years he remained involved in working with the Boys Scouts during this time. He retired from HISD in 1991. He currently resides in Houston, Texas and in January, 2010 he participated in the African American Library at the Gregory School’s oral history project detailing his memories of being a Boy Scout and of the Gregory School.
Extent
0.25 Linear Feet (1)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement note
The collection is arranged by subject and material type.
Acquisition Information
Donated by: Cameron S. Wills, Jr., January 2010
Processing Information
Processed by: Vince Lee, May 2010
- African American families—Texas Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- African Americans -- Texas -- Houston Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- MSS 0020 Wells Sessums Famliy Collection
- Subtitle
- An Inventory of Records at the African American Library at the Gregory School, Houston Public Library
- Status
- Completed
- Date
- May, 2010
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Gregory School Repository
