Star Furniture Collection

Collection

Identifier: MS 0897

Staff Only

Finding aid note: Forms part of the Houston Jewish History Archive. Stored offsite at the Library Service Center and require 24-hour notice for retrieval. Please contact the Woodson Research Center at 713-348-2586 or woodson@rice.edu for more information.

Scope and Contents

An oral history, photographs, news clippings, memorabillia, financial documents, and event programs from Star Furniture, a Texas furniture retailer which began as a small, family-owned Jewish business in 1912. Many materials are dedicated to Star Furniture staff life and social events. This collection has a number of annual financial documents for the years 1925-1932. Of particular interest is an official, signed copy of the inagural prayer for President Lyndon B. Johnson given by Rabbi Hyman J. Schachtel on January 20, 1965.

Dates

Creation: 1925 - 2021

Creator

Wolff Toomin, Shirley (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection open for research without restriction. Stored offsite at the Library Service Center and require 24-hour notice for retrieval. Please contact the Woodson Research Center at 713-348-2586 or woodson@rice.edu for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from the Star Furniture Collection must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library. The Woodson Research Center use policy is that researchers assume sole responsibility for any infringement of privacy, literary rights, copyrights, or other rights arising from their use of the archival materials. In addition to any restrictions placed by donors, certain kinds of archival materials are restricted for the life of the creator plus 50 years. These materials include, but are not limited to, student grades, transcripts, and any job applications or recommendations.

Biographical / Historical

Star Furniture was founded in Houston, TX in 1912 by three men with "only a horse and wagon to their name." In 1924, a Russian-Jewish immigrant named Boris Wolff purchased one-quarter interest in the furniture store, gradually gained ownership and began to pilot day-to-day operations. By 1950, Star Furniture had six locations, and Boris decided to pass ownership of the company over to his children, Melvyn Wolff and Shirley Wolff Toomim. In 1997, Star Furniture was sold to the multinational conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway, owned by Warren Buffett. Today, it is the longest running furniture store in the state of Texas.

Source: starfurniture.com

Extent

.75 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection is made up of two boxes containing photographs, news clippings, memorabilia, financial documents, and event programs from Star Furniture, and an oral history conducted with Shirley Wolff Toomim and Ellen Toomim Robinson spanning the years 1925-2021.