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Bearkitten Academy Collection

 Collection
Identifier: UAC/02/2016.a001

Scope and Contents

This collection contains materials from the Sam Houston State University Bearkitten Academy Childcare Center.

Please note that this collection has been audited using the SHSU Records Retention Schedule and may not contain all records for the Bearkitten Academy Childcare Center.

Dates

  • Creation: 1995 - 2003

Conditions Governing Use

The materials represented in this finding aid have been made available for research, teaching, and private use. For these purposes, you may reproduce (print, make photocopies, or download) these items without prior permission on the condition that you provide proper attribution of the source in all copies.

Please contact the Newton Gresham Library's Special Collections and University Archives department to request permission to reproduce materials for any other purpose, or to obtain information regarding the copyright status of a particular digital image, text, audio, or video recording.

Biographical / Historical

In response to student demand, the Bearkitten Academy opened its doors on June 1, 1995. The original staff consisted of a director, two full-time teachers, three part-time temporary staff, and seventeen student workers. Shortly after opening, it reached its capacity of 58 children. The center offered Sam Houston State University students, faculty, and staff with children ages six weeks to five years access to a convenient, affordable childcare center. The program's goal was to make it possible for students with children to start or continue their education at Sam Houston State University.

The academy was housed in the former home of Miss Fannie Elkins, sister of Judge J. A. Elkins, who was a graduate of Sam Houston Normal Institute and a teacher in the Huntsville Public Schools.

After Miss Fannie died in 1962, Judge Elkins deeded the land where the house still stands and the land around it to Sam Houston State Teachers College. The Elkins family, for years, had operated a boarding house for the college students on the corner of the donated land.

The academy was successful in the beginning, but rising costs, lack of staff, and cost/efforts involved, including complications with ADA compliance, and space problems, finally closed the academy in 2003.

Extent

1 boxes ; .5 linear feet

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by content then date.

Physical Location

This collection is located in the University Archives, Newton Greshman Library, room 400.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Sam Houston State University Student Services transferred the materials to the University Archives in 2015.

Title
Bearkitten Academy Collection
Author
KN
Date
2023/08/02
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Sponsor
Sam Houston State University Student Services transferred the materials to the University Archives in 2015.

Repository Details

Part of the Thomason Special Collections & SHSU University Archives Repository

Contact:
1830 Bobby K. Marks Drive
Huntsville TX 77341 US
9362941619