SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 131
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize the Witte Museum of San Antonio on the grand occasion
of its 85th anniversary; and
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS, In the early 20th century, San Antonio lacked a
public museum, and it was due to a small group of individuals that
the city was finally blessed with what would become known as The
Witte; and
WHEREAS, Inspired by a high school teacher named Ellen
Schulz and several prominent clubwomen, including Lena
McAllister and Ethel Tunstall Drought, who envisioned a public
museum for all San Antonians, the community contributed $6,200 to
purchase H. P. Attwater's large and renowned natural history
collection and install it at Main Avenue High School in 1923; and
WHEREAS, As the Attwater Collection grew in popularity and
size, Ellen Schulz visited Mayor John Tobin to enlist the city's
support for a larger, formal museum; in 1925, the city approved
$25,000 for construction of a building for the museum, and ground
was broken in San Pedro Park; and
WHEREAS, Two days after ground was broken, local
businessman Alfred G. Witte died, and it was discovered that he
had bequeathed $65,000 to the City of San Antonio for the
construction of a museum of art, science, and natural history to
be located in Brackenridge Park and named for his parents; due to
his generous gift to the city, construction was halted at San
Pedro Park within a few weeks and shifted to Brackenridge Park
with an enlarged design; less than one year later, at a grand
community celebration on October 8, 1926, the Witte Memorial
Museum opened its doors to the public; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby extend congratulations
and best wishes to all associated with the Witte Museum on the
occasion of its 85th anniversary; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
honor of this special occasion.
Van de Putte
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on June 28, 2011.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate