FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2008
Contact: , Austin Public Library, (512) 974-7528
Fax: (512) 974-7442

A NEW Austin History Center exhibit.
February 21, 2008 - July 20, 2008.

History By Hand: Selections from the
Papers of Governor Elisha M. and Lucadia Pease

Exhibit Opening Reception
Thursday, February 21, 2008, 6:30 p.m.

The Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, 810 Guadalupe, presents a new exhibit, “History By Hand: Selections from the Papers of Governor Elisha M. and Lucadia Pease.” This exhibit, drawing primarily from the Pease-Niles-Graham Papers at the History Center, explores 19^th century written communication with an eye to how different, and more difficult, communication and record keeping was then as compared to now. Business and personal letters, diaries, receipts, ledgers, and receipts illustrate a different time when this communication was all “by hand.” Photographic images featuring the governor's career, the family, and the family's impact on Austin will also be on display.

The exhibit will officially open with a reception, sponsored by the Austin History Center Association (AHCA), on Thursday, February 21, 2008. The opening event, “ACT I - Meet the Family,” is the first of three events planned by the AHCA on the Pease Family and will include the unveiling of six paintings of the Pease family and related artwork recently given to the History Center. For additional information call (512) 974-7400.

Elisha Marshall Pease brought his family to Texas in 1835, where he hoped to set up shop and practice law. He quickly became involved in the Texas Revolution and fought at the Battle of Gonzales. He was active in Texas politics, including authoring a portion of the Texas Constitution, and practiced law until he was elected Governor in 1855. During his term, he established the permanent school fund, the State Hospital, School for the Deaf, and the School for the Blind as well as the completion of the Governor's Mansion. While Texas was occupied by the Federal Army after the Civil War, Pease was appointed to another term in 1867. After resigning in 1869, Pease practiced law in Austin until his death in 1883. The Pease papers are part of the Pease-Niles-Graham Papers collection at the Austin History Center. The collection was donated by descendants of the family in the 1950s and was the first major archival acquisition by the History Center. The collection includes over 100 boxes of letters, documents, and photographs and is available for research at the History Center.

About the Austin History Center
As the local history collection of the Austin Public Library, the Austin History Center provides the public with information about the history, current events, and activities of Austin and Travis County. The Austin History Center collects and preserves information about local governments, businesses, residents, institutions, and neighborhoods so that generations to come will have access to our history. The Austin History Center is located at 810 Guadalupe Street, on the southwest corner of Guadalupe and 9th Streets in downtown Austin. The Austin History is open to the public Mon-Wed: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun: 12 noon -6 p.m. (except holidays). For additional information visit www.cityofaustin.org/library or call (512) 974-7400.

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