Hicks Family Collection 1890s-1960s
Content Description
This collection partially documents the lives of Maggie Johnson Hicks and daughter Betty Hicks Wilson. Over 300 photographs in this collection offer those interested in African-American history a good pictorial review of three generations of a family living in Houston’s 6th and 4th Wards in the early and mid-20th century. It also includes various certificates, diplomas, and transcripts. Of note are two Texas Southern University yearbooks from 1948 and 1949.
Dates
- 1900s-1960s
Language of Materials
The collection is in English.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish or reproduce materials from the Hicks Family Photographs and Papers must be obtained from the African American Library at the Gregory School or the appropriate copyright holder.
Biographical / Historical
Mrs. Maggie Johnson (Hicks) moved to Houston as a young girl with her family during the beginning of the 20th Century. She attended Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia She went to Atlanta, Georgia and returned to Houston and taught in the public-school system for over 30 years. She also obtained her Masters from the University of Houston in 1946. She was married to Charles William Hicks, Jr., who attended the Tuskegee Insitutue and was a waiter of one of the city's most exclusive establishments, The Houston Club. They had a daughter, Bettye, born in 1930. She attended the Bruce Elementry, Harper Middle School, Phyllis Wheatley High School and Texas Southern University. She married Earnest B.Wilson in 1953 and later had daughter Rhisa Wilson in 1956.
Extent
2.5 Linear Feet (5 document boxes, 1 negative box)
Arrangement
An incomplete arrangement of the photographs indicated that the photograph portion was arranged in numerical order by a given photo identification number. Chronology or subject does not appear to have been a factor in arrangement. Given the number of photographs, the processing archivist who completed arrangement continued with numerical order rather than rearranging by chronology or subject. Photographs 1-241 have photo identification sheets associated with them. The papers portion is arranged by content type. Collection series include:
Series 1 Photographs
Series 2 Papers
Custodial History
These records were formerly housed at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library as MSS 0190 Hicks Family Photographs and Papers and were transferred to the African American Library at the Gregory School, Houston Public Library in March 2019.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Rhisa Wilson in 1981, 1982.
- African American educators Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- African American women -- Texas -- Houston Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Fourth Ward (Houston, Tex.) Subject Source: Local sources
- Houston Independent School District (Tex.) Subject Source: Lcnaf
- Sixth Ward (Houston, Tex.) Subject Source: Local sources
- Title
- MSS 0133 Hicks Family Collection 1890s-1960s
- Subtitle
- An inventory of records at the African American Library at the Gregory School, Houston Public Library
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the African American History Research Center Repository
