695 Pearl
(409) 833-2759
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Saturday: 9 am - 6 pm
The
fulfillment of the City's dream of a public library building was made
possible through the philanthropy of Captain W. C. Tyrrell, who in 1923
purchased the First Baptist Church and donated the building for library
purposes to the City of Beaumont. This church was built in 1903 in a
modified Gothic style of architecture with rough gray ashlar being used
in the construction. The library officially opened its doors to the
public on September 16, 1926. It served as the main public library for
the City until 1974 when the new library was opened. At that time, it
became the Tyrrell Historical Library with a Texana collection and
genealogical collection. In 1987, restoration of the Tyrrell was adopted
as a high priority and the restored Tyrrell reopened on July 19, 1990.
In addition to the Texana and genealogical book collections, it contains
outstanding archives centering on Southeast Texas.
The Tyrrell Historical Library
Archives contain many rare documents. Included are
materials from the Jefferson Beaumont family; the
George W. O'Brien diaries from the Civil War and the
O'Brien family papers; and, an autograph album which
belonged to Captain Randolph Owen of Alabama which
included autographs of Confederate military leaders
imprisoned by Union Forces at Johnson's Island, Ohio
after the War Between the States.
The Tyrrell has census
microfilm and indexes for the years 1790 through
1920. The years 1790 - 1850 are complete. Work
continues to complete the other years. Other
microfilm is owned by the Tyrrell such as the Magna
Carta Barons and their descendants (1-7), Family
History Library Catalog-Localities, the AGLL
Catalogue, Everton Publishers "Roots" cellar, The
Genealogical Helper, 1950-70. LDS Parish and Vital
Records List, the U.S. Postal Guide - alphabetical
lists of post offices in 1905, and materials on many
states with particular emphasis on Texas and
Louisiana. Included are such things as city
directories, marriage lists, lists of confederate
soldiers, Texas newspapers, Galveston passenger
lists, indexes to deeds, tax rolls, probate records,
and much more. Some family genealogies are also
found on microfilm.
Copyright [2008] [Beaumont Public Library System,
City of Beaumont, Texas]. All rights
reserved
