Rice Hotel memorabilia collection

Collection

Identifier: UA 0241

Staff Only

Finding aid note: Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of hotel memorabilia and includes menus, drink lists, advertising material, and stationery. Included are a 1913 dinner plate, pieces of additional china and silverplate.

Dates

Creation: 1913 - 1977

Creator

Rice Hotel (Houston, Tex.) (Contributor, Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This material is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish from this material must be facilitated through the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

Biographical / Historical

In 1886, William Marsh Rice bought the old Capitol Hotel, built in 1882, for unpaid taxes. Rice University obtained the hotel as a bequest from its owner and renamed it the Rice Hotel. Jesse H. Jones purchased the building in 1911, and in 1913 tore it down and replaced it with a new Rice Hotel. The hotel closed in 1977, but the structure was later redesigned as luxury “loft” apartments and reopened in 1988.

Extent

8.5 Linear Feet (10 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection consists of Rice Hotel (Houston, Tex.) memorabilia and includes menus, drink lists, advertising material, and stationery. Included are a 1913 dinner plate, china and silverplate. In 1886 William Marsh Rice bought the old Capitol Hotel, built in 1882, for unpaid taxes. Rice University obtained the hotel as a bequest from its owner and renamed it the Rice Hotel. Jesse H. Jones purchased the building in 1911, and in 1913 tore it down and replaced it with a new Rice Hotel. The hotel closed in 1977, but the structure was later redesigned as luxury “loft” apartments and reopened in 1988. (1 box)

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Received in part from Lee Pecht, 1999 and Greg Marshall, November 2000, and at auction in 2014. Additional material received from Houston Endowment in Dec. 2017.