The semi-centennial celebration of Sam Houston State Teacher’s College (SHSTC) occurred on May 3rd and 4th, 1929. The festivities included the dedication of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum on May 3rd and the Harry F. Estill Library on May 4th. The formal opening of the Estill Library took place on February 14, 1930.

The Estill Library, now known as the Estill Building, emerged as the university's second library, a response to the overcrowding experienced in the Peabody Memorial Library. The library was named in honor of Harry F. Estill, who served as university president from 1908 to 1937. Estill, along with Charles N. Shaver, was instrumental in securing the challenging funding for its construction. Following the completion of the Newton Gresham Library in the 1960s, the Estill Library underwent remodeling to accommodate classrooms and offices.

Efforts to preserve the grounds and family home of Sam Houston, esteemed Texas Senator and former president of the Republic of Texas, began at the onset of the 20th century. In 1905, students from Sam Houston Normal Institute (now Sam Houston State University) joined forces with Bertha Kirkley of the history department to initiate the restoration of the site. Through fundraising endeavors, they acquired the original property and house, relocating the Woodland Home to its original setting. The Sam Houston Memorial Museum officially opened its doors as a museum in 1929. Recognized for its historical significance, the site earned the distinction of being designated as a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Since then, extensive restoration projects have been undertaken to preserve its legacy. Today, it stands as the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library, an integral part of Sam Houston State University.

Beatrice Craig, creator of the scrapbook, was born in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1876. In 1897, she married Robert Edward Lee Craig, an Episcopal minister, and they relocated to Texas in 1910. Following her husband's death in 1916, Craig settled in Huntsville, where she resided with her childhood friend, Annie Nugent Gibbs, also a widow. In 1917, Craig assumed the role of library assistant at Sam Houston Normal Institute (now Sam Houston State University) under librarian Ruth Sankey. When Sankey departed the following year, Craig stepped in as acting librarian for a brief period before being elected as librarian by the board of trustees. She dedicated herself to this role until reaching the mandatory retirement age of seventy in 1946.

In honor of her contributions, an endowment was established in her name, to which she and her friends contributed generously. After her passing in 1965, her friends continued to contribute, leading to the creation of the Beatrice Craig Endowed Scholarship Fund in 1976 through the Beatrice Craig Library Club. This fund was designed to provide scholarships to students pursuing studies in Library Science.