The Speaker of the Texas House plays a unique and influential role not only in the legislature but in the ever evolving history of the Lone Star state.  Yet, the duties and work of the speakers of the House remain largely unknown by the public at large. 

In conjunction with the completion of the restoration of the historic Speaker’s Quarters in the state capitol in April, 2007, TAMI was pleased to work with Speaker Tom Craddick and Mrs. Nadine Craddick in creating a collection dedicated to exploring the motion picture legacy of this distinctive office.  Seven of the former House speakers participated by contributing their own films and videos related to their individual experiences in this position.  The speakers’ own home movies, news footage and campaign commercials serve as unique testimony to Speaker Craddick’s belief that “sharing our experiences as speaker with future generations is a vital and rich component of the larger duties of this important office.”

We will continue to build upon this collection regularly, so please return often for more historical films pertaining to the Speaker of the Texas House

For more information pertaining to the Speaker of the House and related archival materials, visit the Texas House Speakers Oral History Project at the Center for American History at The University of Texas at Austin.