Tarrant County TXGenWeb

Fort Worth School Records

On page 1B of the June 24, 2003 Fort Worth Star-Telegram, an article titled "Home found for school archives" reported on a collection that was in the process of being moved.

Quoting the article:

"When retired teacher and administrator Billy Sills died last fall, countless bits of fact and folklore about the Fort Worth school district died with him.
But, because of Sills' years of work, a trove of district history remains for future generations."

The article mentions the old home of the archives being four rooms, packed to the ceiling with documents and artifacts, some dating to the 1880's. It speaks of the many hours Sills' volunteered and how that this was his passion.

Billy W. Sills Center for Archives
Fort Worth Independent School District

The collection is now located in an 8,500 square foot home on the second floor of the Metro Opportunity School at 2720 Cullen Street. The stairs are located just inside the front door. Photocopies are reasonable at 15 cents/page. They can do a small amount of research for you, but they recommend that you visit in person.

Introduction Soon after becoming a social studies teacher, Billy W. Sills began collecting artifacts and other material about the FWISD and its history. In 1963 he was appointed the first full-time social studies consultant, and with the help of the Fort Worth Council for the Social Studies and others, the archives continued to grow. The Board of Education honored him in 1983 by naming the archives Billy W. Sills Center for Archives. Archive Goals
	To collect and preserve educational artifacts and related materials for posterity.
	To exhibit those materials to the public in an interesting and informative fashion.
	To make the collection available to educators and students for scholarly study and research.
	To collaborate with local schools and community groups in the study of educational history.
Archives Research The Center contains a number of items available for research.
	Biographies
	Board Minutes
	Courses of Study
	FWISD Data
	Individual School Data
	Magazines
	Microfiche Records
	PTA Scrapbooks
	School Annuals / Yearbooks
	Slides
	Textbooks
	Transparencies
Archives Museum The Archives Center houses a variety of artifacts for public viewing.
	Early and current photographs
	Paintings from closed schools
	Facsimile of the Liberty Bell
	Replica of an early classroom
	Green B. Trimble's desk
	William B. Green's chair
	Athletic Memorabilia - banners, trophies
	Equipment - typewriters, microscopes, mimescopes, stereoscopes
	Board photos and history
	Superintendent photos and history
Archives Staff and Hours The Archives Center is staffed and operated by volunteer, Lawrence Maynard. Leon Mitchell, Jr., former social studies teacher with Mr. Sills, is the head curator. An Advisory Committee meets monthly to assist the curator and discuss future plans for the center. Hours of Operation Open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Outside the above hours, please make an appointment. Call 817-871-3107 for either individual or class research. If no answer, leave a message and telephone number. We will reply as soon as possible. Archives Needs The Archives continually needs volunteers and funds.
	Call 817-871-3107 to volunteer
	Friends of the Billy W. Sills Archives Fund Attn: Carolyn Creel 100 N. University Dr., Ste. 240NE Fort Worth, TX 76107

Billy W. Sills Center for Archives
2720 Cullen Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
(817) 871-3107

This page was last modified 19 June 2019.