By Terri Jo Ryan

Tribune-Herald staff writer

A trove of Texas treasures precious to Baylor University and Baptists is on display at Moody Library through Feb. 27 in celebration of the university’s fathers and faith.

The Baylor Founders’ Exhibit concentrates on the early years of Baylor, formed by Baptist pioneers and chartered by the Republic of Texas on Feb. 1, 1845. Three men — preachers James Huckins, William Milton Tryon and Judge Robert Emmett Bledsoe Baylor — met in the early 1840s to mold what would become the oldest continuously operating college in Texas.

Portraits of some of these founders are featured in the display, said Kathy Hillman, director of special collections for the University Central Libraries.

However, Tryon, the first president of the Baylor University board of trustees, apparently was so humble, Hillman said, that he likely never sat for a portrait. At least, university researchers thus far have not located one, Hillman added.

In fact, Tryon declined the honor of having the university named after him, and asked that it take the name of his friend the jurist.

The exhibit contains many household goods from the founding fathers, including artifacts from the families of Henry L. Graves, the first president, and Henry Gillette, the first faculty member.

These goods include a bell jar and vacuum pump from a circa-1850 science class, a ballot box for a Masonic lodge eventually gifted to Baylor President Pat Neff, the gavel from the old Independence Baptist Church and a tatting shuttle (for lace-making) whittled by Sam Houston for the wife of President R.C. Burleson.

Baylor’s campus libraries are planning several exhibits this year keyed to the international “Baptist 400 Celebration,” marking the 400th anniversary of the Baptist faith. Hillman said Baptist heritage will be feted through a variety of conferences, lectures, exhibits and performances.

Sources: Handbook of Texas Online; Baylor.edu; Rebecca Tucker, Mayborn Museum Complex assistant collections manager; Trey Crumpton, Mayborn Museum collections assistant; and Frankie Pack, Mayborn Museum’s coordinator of exhibits, events and promotions.