From Republic to Statehood: Dallas Historical Society Artifacts Bring History Alive at Sterling Bank’s 6th Annual Republic of Texas Exhibit October 18, 2007

TEXAS, 1836 – The Alamo was history, and rebellious Texians set about creating a nation after winning the final battle with Mexico at San Jacinto. In 1836 Texas became an independent republic sandwiched between Mexico and the still young United States of America. Within a decade, Texas would join its neighbor to the east as the 28th state.

Artifacts, documents and personal items from key figures of that era will go on display Oct. 19 at Sterling Bank’s Greenville Banking Center at 4849 Greenville Ave. (at University) in Dallas. Sterling Bank’s 6th Annual Republic of Texas Exhibit is FREE and open to the public during banking hours: Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. - noon. For information, email [email protected]. The exhibit ends Nov. 9.

The Dallas Historical Society, which is curating the exhibit, is drawing rarely displayed treasures from its archives to show with other historic items from Sterling Bank’s own Lex Johnston Republic of Texas Collection for the display.

Highlights of the exhibition include:

♣ An oak gavel made of wood taken from the first capitol building of the Republic of Texas at Columbia.

♣ Sam Houston’s letter to Ed Hall (November, 1836) that names his cabinet and discusses the impending responsibilities he faces as president of the republic.

♣ The "Henderson Documents," which include instruments appointing J. Pinckney Henderson as the Texas ambassador to Britain and France and as envoy to the United States to negotiate annexation.

♣ A flag from the 1844 presidential campaign for James K. Polk and his running mate George M. Dallas who advocated statehood for Texas. Polk is pictured in the canton and the words “Polk and Dallas” appear in the stripes.

♣ Letters and images of U.S. Vice President George Mifflin Dallas, for whom Dallas County, and probably the city, were named in recognition of his support for Texas statehood.

♣ A rare volume containing a copy of the Texas state constitution adopted in1845. At one point, only six public institutions in the United States were known to have copies.

♣ A deck of playing cards for the home front during the Mexican-American War meant to boost patriotism. The cards depicted characters of the war such as U.S. Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott.

“These are irreplaceable treasures of our Texas heritage,” said Sterling Bank President, Chairman and CEO Downey Bridgwater. “We’re honored to be able to make them available for the public and to shed light on a fascinating period of Texas history.”

The Lex Johnston Republic of Texas Collection includes documents, flags, maps, art and other items relating to the decade before Texas statehood and honors the late co-founder of Oaks Bank, which merged with Sterling Bank in 2005. The Texas Bankers Association recognized Sterling Bank Director Max Wells, who established Oaks Bank with Johnston, in 2005 with its Cornerstone Award for the bank’s efforts to preserve and promote Texas history.

Sterling Bank’s permanent Republic of Texas collection is on display year-round with items at many of the bank’s local offices.

About Sterling Bank
Sterling Bank, with total assets of $4.4 billion, operates 49 banking centers in the greater metropolitan areas of Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. For more information, please visit www.banksterling.com.

Official Website: http://banksterling.com