In early 2025, decades of historical records of the Tyler Sister Cities organization will be made available for public research at the University of Texas at Tyler.
On Tuesday, November 12, the Tyler Sister Cities board of directors voted to donate historical documents and various memorabilia and artwork to the Robert R. Muntz Library.
The vote was the culmination of a months-long inventory process, where various historical items, artifacts, and records were identified from long-term storage in multiple locations, including members’ homes, city offices, and the Tyler Chamber of Commerce.
Tuesday’s board meeting included a presentation from UT Tyler archivist Joy Pitts and an official signing ceremony to formalize the donation.
The items will be permanently preserved and curated by the University Archives and Special Collections Department and will be added to an existing collection of Tyler Sister Cities records.
The Tyler Sister Cities collection was first established in 2011, largely from the personal papers of former UT Tyler President George Hamm, who was a founding member of the Tyler Sister Cities organization in the early 1980s. Doctor Hamm also served on the executive leadership committee for Sister Cities International.
The existing archive primarily contains records from the first decade of Tyler Sister Cities, dating back to 1983. The recent additions consist of artifacts primarily from the period of 1990 to 2020.
15 boxes of materials will be donated. They include photo albums, loose photographs of international delegations and events, meeting agendas and minutes, member records, financial records, promotional print materials, DVDs, VHS and audio tapes, awards, proclamations, artwork, and gifts.
In the coming months, UT Tyler University Archives staff will work to compile an accurate inventory of the new materials and will digitally scan photos and documents of great interest to the public or of significant value for research purposes.
The recently-donated materials are expected to be available for public review beginning in February 2025. Those wishing to access the archive are asked to make an appointment prior to visiting the Muntz Library.
Members of the community and current/former members who are interested in adding to the collection are asked to contact Tyler Sister Cities leadership by clicking here.
Tyler Sister Cities 
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