George Williamson Collection
Creator Sketch
George Williamson was born in 1857 on the Dunboyne Plantation in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, but spent much of his early youth in Shreveport. He was the second child of Isabel, a daughter of Colonel E. G. W. Butler of Dunboyne Plantation, and George McWillie Williamson. George McWillie Williamson's father was General Thomas Taylor Williamson, one of the eight founders of Shreveport. The Williamson Family also claimed direct ancestry to George Washington, first President of The United States.
Williamson gained his early education at private schools in Shreveport. He later studied three years in Guatemala, two years in Germany and two years in Baltimore, before finally returning to Shreveport in 1880. For three years Williamson worked as a civil engineer for the Texas and Pacific Railroad, and in 1883 became principal of the Grand Cane High School, the first public supported high school in the state. It was during this time he became interested in archeology and begin collecting minerals, fossils and Indian artifacts, a hobby he continued for the rest of his life. Williamson's collection of Indian artifacts alone was considered one of the finest collections in the United States at the time.
In 1897, Williamson accepted the chair as professor of biology at the Louisiana State Normal School (now Northwestern State University of Louisiana) in Natchitoches.
Some of his noted research includes that relating to fossil woods in Northwest Louisiana. Specifically, Williamson discovered several species of silicified palm wood believed to be between five and ten million years old, a specimen of which was placed in the National Museum in Washington, D.C. He retired as professor in 1932, and was then named curator of his namesake, The George Williamson Museum, located on the college campus. Williamson remained in this position until his death in 1936. He was survived by his widow, the former Miss Ora Carroll, and five children by his first marriage.
Scope and Content
The bulk of the materials include photographs documenting the early history of Natchitoches, Louisiana and Louisiana State Normal School. There are a few printed materials, most of which date from the school's beginning and continue through the administration of the first president, Colonel Thomas Duckett Boyd. Also among the printed materials is a small group of mostly unrelated manuscripts. These items date from the Colonial and Antebellum periods and document legal and business transactions that occurred in Natchitoches Parish. These documents were originally framed, and once resided in the George Williamson Museum. In 1960, at the urging of Dr. Eugene Watson, they were moved to the archives department of the university library (then Russell Library).
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1 Confirmation by Baron de Carondelet of the title of Don Francisco Rouquier to land in Natchitoches Parish, February 3, 1796
2 Confirmation of title of Pedro Derbanne to land in Natchitoches Parish,
October 27, 1796
3 Protest of C. G. Dupuy made to W. Damaron Cradue, commandant of
Natchitoches over money lost to Sieur Chevalier Poiret, January 25, 1803
4 Plat documenting land owned by Piere Ganea, January 14, 1806
4 Appointment of John Nancarrow as sheriff of Natchitoches County, April
21, 1806
5 Court order issued by John C. Carr, Judge of Probates, directing J. J.
Paillette in the administration of the estate of the late widow Poissot,
December 1, 1807
6 Slave bill of sale. Sold by Ambrose Duval to Athanaze Lecour, February
8, 1808
7 Land patent, 1837
8 Letter to Messieurs Brineaux and Morse of Natchitoches from J. B.
Manchirl concerning a shipment of cotton, March 7, 1846
9 Note of J. M. Hyams concerning the sale of a slave. The note is made to
D. H. Boult, administrator of the estate of Samuel H. Sibley, January 10,
1855
10 Letter signed by Robert E. Lee, 1869
11 Letter from Caspari to Sheib, 1884
12 Letters by Thomas Boyd (copies), 1890s
13 Diary extracts of Louisiana State Normal teacher, 1896
14 Correspondence and memoranda, 1890s
15 Report from President Boyd to The Board of Administration, 1895
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16 Correspondence, 1900s
17 Minutes of Williamson Museum Committee, 1958
18 Resolution, undated
19 Photograph with the following subjects:
Atkins, Julia
Breazeale, Gladys
Crafton, Linnore
Fisher, Della
Freeman, Alice
?, Belemont
Lish, Marion
Scarborough, Imogen
?, Marcia
Tiner, Sarah
Williams, Henry D.
Williams, Ruth
20 Photograph with the following subjects:
Garvin, Lurline
Gibson, Mary
Hammett, Miss
Hereford, Daisy
Whitfield, Jack
Levy, Edna
Mathews, Marie
Payne, Miss
Smith, Alby
Smith, May
Warren, Mr.
Willard, Lula
21 Photograph with the following subjects:
Aswell, James B. Sr.
Blanchard, Newton
22 Photograph with the following subjects:
Donoho, Agnes E.
22 Photograph with the following subjects:
Interior of Bullard Mansion
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23 Photograph with the following subjects:
Barlow, Lynn
Berry, Myrtle
Breazeale, Marie
?, Payne
?, Wynonah
Caldwell, Eliz
?, Eva
Desendorf, Hattie
Dowden, Julia
Johnson, Ezell
Kaffie, Daisy
?, Edna
?, Mr.
Lobdell, Jennie
Levy, Etta
Mosley, Pattibell
Nelken, Jetty
Peralt, Armond
Porter, Vernon
Prudhomme, Victor
St. Martin, Hugh D.
Scarborough, D. C.
Sellers, Eugene
Smith, Clarence
Stephens, Isabell
Trimble, Miss
Wallace, Bruce
Williams, Edna
Williamson, George
?, Isabel
24 Photograph with the following subjects:
Jack, Mary Kate
25 Photograph with the following subjects:
Boyd, Thomas D.
26 Photograph with the following subjects:
Model school
27 Photographs with the following subjects:
Louisiana State Normal College
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28 Photograph with the following subjects:
Bates, Lucie
Bates, Maude
Baudoin, Frederika
Bernstein, Betty
Bullion, Anna
Campbell, Anna
Capdeville, Estelle
Carter, Fannie
Carver, Earline
Clopton, Miss
Colvin, Rosa
Delouche, Lise
Donoho, Agnes E.
Garig, Mercedes
Garvin, Lurline
Grace, Lizzie
Havard, Julia
Herring, Mafie
Hickman, Janie
Hynson, Elise
Kretz, Ada
Lawless, Miss
Macmurdo, Georgia
Macmurdo, Josie
Magruder, Mamie
Martin, Alice
Milling, Alma
Mundinger, Lula
Murphy, Linnie
Parsons, Lucy
Pipes, Mattie Sue
Postell, Mattie
Raphael, Bertha
Rushing, Inez
Saunders, Sarah
Trezevant, Louise
Woodard, Lena
Wynn, Octavia
29 Photograph with the following subjects:
Cunningham, Ida
29 Photograph with the following subjects:
Louisiana State Normal College
30 Empty
31 Photograph with the following subjects:
Male students at Louisiana State Normal College
32 Photograph with the following subjects:
Boyd, Thomas D.
33 Minutes of Louisiana State Normal College, 1888-1900
34 Guestbook of Williamson Museum at Louisiana State Normal College
35 Photograph with the following subjects:
Louisiana State Normal College faculty
35 Photograph with the following subjects:
Louisiana State Normal College scenes
36 Photograph with the following subjects:
Bullard Mansion at Louisiana State Normal College, circa 1890
36 Photograph with the following subjects:
Convent Building at Louisiana State Normal College
36 Photograph with the following subjects:
Matron's Building at Louisiana State Normal College
37 Photograph with the following subjects:
President's cottage at Louisiana State Normal College
37 Photograph with the following subjects:
President's cottage at Louisiana State Normal College, circa 1890
38 Photograph with the following subjects:
Guardia Hall at Louisiana State Normal College
38 Photograph with the following subjects:
Buildings at Louisiana State Normal College
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39 Photograph with the following subjects:
Caldwell Hall at Louisiana State Normal College
39 Photograph with the following subjects:
Gate at Louisiana State Normal College
40 Photograph with the following subjects:
Boyd Hall at Louisiana State Normal College
41 Photograph with the following subjects:
Dining Hall at Louisiana State Normal College
41 Photograph with the following subjects:
Buildings at Louisiana State Normal College
42 Photograph with the following subjects:
East Hall at Louisiana State Normal College
42 Photograph with the following subjects:
Guardia Hall at Louisiana State Normal College
42 Photograph with the following subjects:
West Hall at Louisiana State Normal College
43 Photograph with the following subjects:
Railroad station
44 Photograph with the following subjects:
Power plant at Louisiana State Normal College
45 Photograph with the following subjects:
Football at Louisiana State Normal College, 1912
45 Photograph with the following subjects:
Physical education at Louisiana State Normal College
45 Photograph with the following subjects:
Swimming pool at Louisiana State Normal College
46 Photograph with the following subjects:
Pageants at Louisiana State Normal College
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47 Photograph with the following subjects:
Chaplin's Lake at Louisiana State Normal College
48 Photograph with the following subjects:
Library at Louisiana State Normal College
49 Photograph with the following subjects:
Addison, Ouida
Bosch, Mary
Cockerham, Mamie
Compton, Ellis
Furniss, Sallie
Hamilton, Mattie
Havard, Kate
Holston, Lena
Johnson, Emma
Rhodes, Myra
Roach, Kitty
Smith, Alby
Williamson, Amy
Woodward, Myra
50 Photograph with the following subjects:
Louisiana State Normal College, 1895-1896
51 Photograph with the following subjects:
Choral club at Louisiana State Normal College
52 Photograph with the following subjects:
National Education Association Superintendents Conference, 1916
Boyd, Thomas
Harris, T. H.
Roy, Victor L.
53 Photograph with the following subjects:
Faculty and students at Louisiana State Normal College, 1911
54 Photograph with the following subjects:
Female students at Louisiana State Normal College, circa 1920
55 Photograph with the following subjects:
Bullard Mansion and convent at Louisiana State Normal College
55 Photograph with the following subjects:
Literary Societies at Louisiana State Normal College
56 Photograph with the following subjects:
Bullard Mansion at Louisiana State Normal College
56 Photograph with the following subjects:
Chaplin's Lake at Louisiana State Normal College
56 Photograph with the following subjects:
Scenes at Louisiana State Normal College
57 Photograph with the following subjects:
Agriculture Department at Louisiana State Normal College
57 Photograph with the following subjects:
Scenes at Louisiana State Normal College
58 Photograph with the following subjects:
Agriculture Department at Louisiana State Normal College
58 Photograph with the following subjects:
Spring class at Louisiana State Normal College, 1911
59 Photograph with the following subjects:
Donoho, Agnes
60 Photograph with the following subjects:
Roy, Victor Leander
61 Photograph with the following subjects:
Aswell, James B.
61 Photograph with the following subjects:
Building trades
61 Photograph with the following subjects:
Calhoun, Louisiana
61 Photograph with the following subjects:
Carroll, E. E., work of
61 Photograph with the following subjects:
Diboll, Owens and Goldstein
Folder
61 Photograph with the following subjects:
House types
61 Photograph with the following subjects:
St. Charles College
62 Photograph with the following subjects:
Potpourri at Louisiana State Normal College
63 Photograph with the following subjects:
Arnold, Mary
Awsell, James B.
Benjamin, Bettie
Boyd, Thomas D.
64 Photograph with the following subjects:
Caldwell, B. C.
Carnahan, Clara
Carver, Ada Jack
Caspari, Leopold
McClellan, Annie
65 Photograph with the following subjects:
Caspari, Harry
Caspari, Nita
Claverie, Ethel
Clinton, Minor
Denham, May Lee
66 Photograph with the following subjects:
Music Department faculty at Louisiana State Normal College
Clinton, Mr.
Gibbs, Lillian
Guardia, John Edward
Keeny, J. E.
Montgomery, Ella
67 Photograph with the following subjects:
Lawless, Lucia
Porter, C. V.
Rocheford, Miss
Rousseau, Miss
Scarborough, Marcia
Folder
68 Photograph with the following subjects:
Aswell, James B.
Kenny, J. E.
Sealey, Lettie Grace
Smith, Gratia
Stephens, E. L.
Taylor, Jesse
69 Photograph with the following subjects:
Scenes at Louisiana State Normal College
69 Photograph with the following subjects:
Watson, Ida
Witherow, Ida Juanita
70 Photograph with the following subjects:
Scenes at Louisiana State Normal College
70 Photograph with the following subjects:
Students at Louisiana State Normal College
71 Photograph with the following subjects:
Gorton, Elizabeth
MacMurdo, Josie and Georgia
Winn, Octavia
72 Photograph with the following subjects:
Andrews, Tillon
Bates, Lucie
Bates, Maude
Larkin, Susie
Parsons, Lucy
Stephenson, Annie
Watts, Susie
Withrow, Maude
73 Photograph with the following subjects:
Grand Ecore, Louisiana, circa 1895
73 Photograph with the following subjects:
Hausey, Bell
Kaffie, Edna
Lobdell, Jennie
Porter, Vernon
Robertson, Virginia
Wilmser, George
74 Photograph with the following subjects:
Alexandria, Louisiana
75 Photograph with the following subjects:
Students at Louisiana State Normal College
76 Photograph with the following subjects:
Aswell, James B.
77 Photograph with the following subjects:
Athletics at Louisiana State Normal College
77 Photograph with the following subjects:
Laboratory school at Louisiana State Normal College
77 Photograph with the following subjects:
Male students at Louisiana State Normal College
77 Photograph with the following subjects:
Baker, Mary
Carney, Eunice and Em
Lee, May
Newberry, Daisy
78 Photograph with the following subjects:
Laboratory school at Louisiana State Normal College
78 Photograph with the following subjects:
Athletics at Louisiana State Normal College
78 Photograph with the following subjects:
Boarding club at Louisiana State Normal College
79 Photograph with the following subjects:
Seekers After Knowledge at Louisiana State Normal College
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79 Photograph with the following subjects:
Athletics at Louisiana State Normal College
79 Photograph with the following subjects:
Boarding club at Louisiana State Normal College
80 Photograph with the following subjects:
Class groups at Louisiana State Normal College
81 Photograph with the following subjects:
Class groups at Louisiana State Normal College
82 Photograph with the following subjects:
Class groups at Louisiana State Normal College
82 Photograph with the following subjects:
Twenty-fifth anniversary at Louisiana State Normal College
82 Photograph with the following subjects:
Vernon Parish students
83 Photograph with the following subjects:
Class groups at Louisiana State Normal College
83 Photograph with the following subjects:
Agricultural education at Louisiana State Normal College
83 Photograph with the following subjects:
Agriculture short courses at Louisiana State Normal College
84 Photograph with the following subjects:
Physical Science department at Louisiana State Normal College
84 Photograph with the following subjects:
World War I
84 Photograph with the following subjects:
World War I women's work
85 Photograph with the following subjects:
Agricultural education at Louisiana State Normal College
85 Photograph with the following subjects:
Agricultural department at Louisiana State Normal College
Folder
85 Photograph with the following subjects:
Agriculture short courses at Louisiana State Normal College
86 Photograph with the following subjects:
Interior views of dining hall at Louisiana State Normal College
87 Photograph with the following subjects:
Women's tennis at Louisiana State Normal College
87 Photograph with the following subjects:
Health and Physical education department at Louisiana State Normal College
87 Photograph with the following subjects:
Swimming pool at Louisiana State Normal College
88 Photograph with the following subjects:
Louisiana State Normal College, 1910-1920
88 Photograph with the following subjects:
Home Economics department at Louisiana State Normal College
89 Photograph with the following subjects:
Louisiana State Normal College, 1910-1920
89 Photograph with the following subjects:
Futrell House
89 Photograph with the following subjects:
Natchitoches, Louisiana, 1911-1926
89 Photograph with the following subjects:
Natchitoches railroad system
89 Photograph with the following subjects:
Cane River Lake
90 Printed material with the following subjects:
Louisiana State Normal College Alumni Association, 1908-1911
90 Printed material with the following subjects:
Correspondence regarding Caldwell Hall at Louisiana State Normal College
91 Printed material with the following subjects:
Boyd, Thomas Duckett
92 Printed material with the following subjects:
Louisiana State Normal College Commencements, 1892-1914
93 Printed material with the following subjects:
Assumption Parish teachers
93 Printed material with the following subjects:
Boyd, Thomas Duckett
93 Printed material with the following subjects:
Louisiana State Normal College, 1889-1895
93 Printed material with the following subjects:
Teacher education at Louisiana State Normal College
93 Printed material with the following subjects:
Williamson, George, biography of
94 Printed material with the following subjects:
Chautauquas Peabody Summer School at Louisiana State Normal College
94 Printed material with the following subjects:
Campti, Louisiana teacher's institute
94 Printed material with the following subjects:
Natchitoches Parish teacher's institute
94 Printed material with the following subjects:
Teacher institutes, 1890-1893
95 Printed material with the following subjects:
Concerts
95 Printed material with the following subjects:
Theatre lecture course at Louisiana State Normal College
96 Printed material with the following subjects:
Louisiana State Normal College twenty-fifth anniversary
97 Printed material with the following subjects:
National Youth Administration
97 Printed material with the following subjects:
Teacher education, 1933
97 Printed material with the following subjects:
Teacher success
97 Printed material with the following subjects:
Teacher training, 1929
98 Printed material with the following subjects:
Minutes of Seekers After Knowledge at Louisiana State Normal College
99 Printed material with the following subjects:
Caddo Parish School System
99 Printed material with the following subjects:
Comus Club, Natchitoches facilities
99 Printed material with the following subjects:
Louisiana State Agricultural Society
99 Printed material with the following subjects:
Natchitoches, Louisiana clubs
100 Photographs with the following subjects:
Vernon Parish Lumber industry
100 Photographs with the following subjects:
Louisiana State Normal College
101 Photographs with the following subjects:
Louisiana State Normal College
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102 Photographs with the following subjects:
Louisiana State Normal College
103 Photographs and printed materials with the following subjects:
Louisiana salt industry
104 Printed materials with the following subjects:
Boyd, Thomas Duckett
104 Printed materials with the following subjects:
Teacher training
105 Printed materials with the following subjects:
Minutes of Seekers After Knowledge at Louisiana State Normal College,
1897-1899
106 Printed materials with the following subjects:
Wildflower blueprints
107 Photographs with the following subjects:
Aswell, James B.
107 Photographs with the following subjects:
Bullard Mansion at Louisiana State Normal College
107 Photographs with the following subjects:
Smith, Alby E.
107 Photographs with the following subjects:
Steamboat America
108 Photographs with the following subjects:
Henry, Cammie G.
OS Box
2, item 12 Commissions with the following subjects:
Robert, John H.
Robertson, Thomas Bolling
