The Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library Collections currently housed at the Bexar County Archives building and has been developed and is supported and maintained by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) for the use of all researchers. DRT owns a collection (the “Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library Collection” or the “DRT Library Collection”) of over 20,000 book titles, primarily on the subject of Texas history, but also including genealogy, politics and government, art, natural history and science, religion, folklore, and fiction, all associated with Texas, including the extensive libraries of Dr. William Eager Howard, C. Stanley Banks, and Maury Maverick, Sr., approximately 450 collections of personal and family papers and organizational records dating from 1519 to the present, and maps, photographs, artwork, vertical files, and other media.
LIBRARY HISTORY
The need to encourage the study of Texas history and to preserve its documents was important to the founders of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, who stipulated that purpose in their charter in 1893. When Dr. William Eager Howard donated his private library of Texana in 1943, this purpose began to be fully realized.
The necessary funds for a building to house the Howard gift were provided by Mrs. John King Beretta as a memorial to her husband, a close friend of Dr. Howard’s. In 1950 the DRT Library building was opened on the grounds of the Alamo Complex, and further acquisitions for it were sought. The growth of the collections was rapid, requiring building expansions and improvements over the years.
In 2015 the Collection was removed from the Alamo Complex grounds and was stored until an agreement with Texas A & M-San Antonio was completed. In 2017 the Collection was placed in the Bexar County Archive Building in downtown San Antonio and in cooperation with Texas A & M–San Antonio, was reopened to scholars, students and Texas history researchers. In December 2021, the Daughters gave administrative oversight of the Collection to Bexar County and the Collection was given its own space to further expand and grow. The DRT Library Collections Committee continues to acquire and serve increasing numbers of patrons who become acquainted with its unique and extensive resources.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Research is by appointment only. Appointments may be scheduled by emailing the Bexar County Librarian - [email protected]
The Library is closed for the following holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth Day
- Fourth of July
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
LOCATION & PARKING
The DRT Library Collection is located in the Bexar County Archive Building at 126 East Nueva St., San Antonio, Texas.
Parking is available at the Bexar County Parking Garage.
Parking Garage Hours:
24/7 with Self Pay Stations
Cashiers: Monday to Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
(except County Holidays)
The parking rate is $5.00.
LIBRARY RESOURCES can be found here: Catalog
STAFF
Bexar County Librarian - [email protected]
Martha Fleitas - DRT Library Collections Chair (2023-2025)
Contact the DRT Library Collection Chairs at: [email protected] for information.
For general questions please contact the DRT Library at [email protected].