This collection originally came as boxes within boxes, filled with items that were once memories including flatware from the 1800s, glass medicine bottles of cure all, old pipes, trinkets, charms, found marbles or stones, shards of dolls’ faces, glass, and pottery. It is built from Dallas’ History and the socio-cultural climate of the area. The collection has over twenty series which detail the material history of African Americans, the Hispanic community, and the many different neighborhoods in Dallas such as Deep Elm – now known as Deep Ellum, Laws St., Camp St., and San Jacinto. It also covers several artists local to Dallas, offering examples of pieces from Troup’s own art collection, with books and papers covering the history of fine art and local artists to supplement the work. The art contained in this collection includes whirly gigs whose characters and themes are wholly Texan. One whirly gig is an oilwell complete with a tall steel derrick. Another is made of eggbeaters. Other pieces of Folk Art include pottery from Dallas potters, rare penny dolls, a Hispanic wooden box, a bronze cast of an animal’s skull, and African American sculptures.