Gresham Library Creates Podcasts

Did you know that the one escapee from a World War II German prisoner of war camp near Huntsville was found hanged?

Did you know that John Thomason, not Sam Houston, Dana Andrews, Logan Wilson, or Dan Rather is the most famous person born in Huntsville?

Did you know that the first class to graduate from an institution of higher education in Texas was from Sam Houston State University's predecessor institution, Sam Houston Normal Institute?

These are just a few of the facts in a relatively recent Newton Gresham Library online feature entitled "Musings from Sam Houston's Stomping Grounds."

And the neat thing about "Musings..." is that you don't even have to read. Just find the Newton Gresham Library site online and click on Podcast under Library Links. If your computer plays sound, you're in business.

Paul Culp, special collections librarian, and Cheryl Spencer, library associate in special collections, tell you all about university and area history.

The feature was added to the Gresham Web site in September 2006. So far 10 features are available, with plans to add new episodes at the rate of two per month.

Among the topics covered are Harry F. Estill, who was president of Sam Houston longer than anyone else (1908-1937); the prisoner of war camp at the "country campus"; Bertha Kirkley, who Kirkley Hall was named for; manuscripts and local history; Augusta Lawrence, who came up with the university motto "The measure of a Life is Its Service."; Colonel John W. Thomason, artist and writer; art in the Gresham Library; Caroline Belvin, another hall namesake; Austin Hall; and assorted facts entitled Did You Know?

Culp said the site is just one of several new ways that libraries are reacting to changing needs and user habits.

So you've never heard of John Thomason, Logan Wilson, or Dana Andrews for that matter?

The answer to the Thomason trivia question is really a trick, since Sam Houston and Dan Rather would certainly rank as "more famous." But they weren't born in Huntsville.

Neither was Logan Wilson, a Sam alum who became president of the University of Texas. He had an earned doctorate from Harvard and something like 22 honorary doctorates.

Nor Dana Andrews, a movie star back when the movies had barely reached the talkie stage.

Thomason was born in Huntsville and was working as a reporter for the Houston Chronicle when World War I began. He enlisted immediately, became a hero, and later wrote and illustrated books.

The Thomason Building, home of the Department of Agriculture and the SHSU Press, and the Thomason Room in the Gresham Library, are named in his honor.

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SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
Jan. 22, 2007
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