C. Kevin Starnes Collection

Tarrant County Archives > Holdings > Named Collections > S > Starnes, C. Kevin

HISTORICAL NOTE

C. Kevin Starnes is a resident of Fort Worth who has taken initiative to preserve its history by collecting significant archival materials and donating them to the Archives. He collected records from Fort Worth flower shops that he worked at and owned, as well as materials from local churches, theaters, and businesses. 

Starnes started working in Fort Worth flower shops in the 1990s, first at Balch's Flowers, Inc. then at Lillian Simons Flowers, Inc. In 2000, he bought Lillian Simons Flowers. Starnes joined several related business associations, including the Fort Worth Florists' Association, Texas State Florists' Association, and Teleflora National Wire Organization. 

Starnes collected a set of programs of the long-running play The Littlest Wiseman from the William Edrington Scott Theater in Fort Worth. F. Howard and Mary Walsh brought the play to Fort Worth in 1961 and first staged it at McLean Jr. High School. It ran there until 1965 then moved to the newly built Scott Theater. The Walshes funded the production every year from 1961 to 2019. In 2022, a City-appointed Task Force began a project to redevelop the Fort Worth Community Arts Center where the Scott Theater is located. Starnes saved the programs before they were discarded as old materials were being removed from the building. 

Along with what he personally collected, Starnes was given various items from a long-time member of Boulevard United Methodist Church (previously called Boulevard Methodist Church). Most of the items pertain to the church and were created by Pastor Richard W. Jenkins, Jr., who served as pastor from 1970-1974, and Mac Abels, who was a church member and lay pastor. Boulevard United Methodist Church was located at 1600 Circle Park Blvd in Fort Worth, Texas. It eventually closed and the building was demolished. 
 

SCOPE AND CONTENTS

The C. Kevin Starnes Collection contains materials from churches, theaters, businesses, and events in Tarrant County. The materials were collected by C. Kevin Starnes for personal interest as well as from the flower shops where he worked. A large portion of the records from Lillian Simons Flowers came from previous owners Lillian Simons, Mac Abels, and Patricia (Rector) Abels. Many of the records from Balch's Flowers came from owner Mary Jane (Balch) Hagler.

The collection materials include photographs, administrative records, correspondence, newspapers, programs, and publications. The materials are dated from the 1940s to 2024. 

This collection consists of materials in the following subjects: 

Balch’s Flowers, Inc.

  • Administrative and financial records, stationery, sales catalogs, 1973-1993; undated
  • Guest book and cards from Balch's Flowers Fiftieth Anniversary Christmas Open House, November 16, 1986
  • Letters and greeting cards addressed to Balch’s Flowers, 1987-1994
    • Many of the letters are thank you notes and include event invitations and programs
  • Mary Jane Hagler’s scrapbook of Christmas decoration ideas, 1970s
  • Newspaper clippings about Balch’s Flowers and the Balch family, 1976; 1985
  • Photographs of Balch’s Flowers shop, 1970s-1980s
  • Photographs of weddings and events decorated by Balch’s Flowers, 1950s-1980s; undated
  • Photograph of an unidentified girl in a fairy costume, 1940s 
  • Program from the marker dedication for Hezekiah Benjamin Balch, memorial given by Vicksburg Masonic Lodge 26, Mississippi, October 15, 1989

Boulevard United Methodist Church

  • Boulevard Methodist Church Edition of The Texas Methodist, various issues from 1967-1968
  • Boulevard United Methodist Church Council meeting minutes, 1968-1973
  • Church event and fundraiser materials, 1967-1976
  • Church newsletters, 1973-1974
  • Church signage design plan, undated
  • Membership directory for Boulevard United Methodist Church, circa 1970
  • Newspaper clippings about Methodist pastors in Fort Worth, 1973-1974
  • Pastor Richard W. Jenkins, Jr. personal papers and church records
  • Photographs of church members and services, circa 1970
  • United Methodist Church Personal Accident Insurance Program pamphlet, circa 1972
  • Weekly church service programs, 1972-1974

Lillian Simons Flowers, Inc.

  • Administrative and financial records, association memberships, awards, stationery, sales catalogs, 1960-2024; undated
  • Business plan created by C. Kevin Starnes, 2006-2009
  • Catalogs and promotional material from floral and event wholesalers, 1984-2008; undated
  • Documents and programs from events that Lillian Simons Flowers participated in or donated to, 1968-2003
  • Evelyn Siegel Gallery, Inc. shop closing announcement, December 17, 2003
  • Letters and greeting cards addressed to Lillian Simons Flowers, 1975-2006; undated
    • Many letters are thank you notes and include event invitations and programs
  • News coverage about Lillian Simons Flowers and local flower businesses, 2001-2010; undated
  • Photographs of weddings and events decorated by Lillian Simons Flowers, 1987-2007; undated
  • Photographs of the flower show at Confection Wholesale, 1990s
  • Tarrant County Asian American Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory, 2002
  • Texas State Florists’ Association Yearbook, 2002
  • The Bloomin' Texan, published by Texas State Florists' Association, Austin, Texas, August 2005
  • 1977-1978 Who's Who in Floriculture, membership directory, Society of American Florists, Alexandria, Virginia

Mac and Patricia Abels

  • Arnold Palmer Sweepstakes congratulatory letter to winner Mac Abels, from A. Davis Company, 1964
  • Mac Abels employment records from Continental Oil Company, 1953-1961
  • Newspaper clippings about Mac and Patricia Abels, 1966-1968
  • Photographs of Mac and Patricia Abels at events and with family, 1960s; undated
  • American Airlines Guide Book to the World's Fair in New York, 1964
  • Color postcards of San Francisco scenes from the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Finocchio's, 1970s
  • Ford Motor Company catalogs, car show invitation, owner's manual, 1959-1969
  • Fort Worth Social Directory, Kay Fortson Baldwin and Ben Fortson III publishers, Fort Worth, Texas, 1997-1999, 2005-2007, 2007-2009
  • The Woman’s Club of Fort Worth Annual Announcement, 1994
  • Toppers Menswear sales catalog, Dallas, Texas, 1975
  • Wedding invitation for Carol Ralston and Ron Mnieckowski, May 26, 1984

Southcliff Baptist Church

  • Meditations for Mothers, by Marie Frost, David C. Cook Publishing Company, Elgin, Illinois, 1963
  • Southcliff Baptist Church Directory, 1989
  • Southcliff Baptist Church tithing envelopes, 1991
  • “Vision '81” proposed financial program for Southcliff Baptist Church, compiled by the Southcliff Baptist Church Finance Committee, 1981

Fort Worth Performing Arts and Entertainment

  • Bass Hall Grand Opening and Van Cliburn Inaugural Recital, 1998
  • Fort Worth Star-Telegram, "Unveiling Bass Hall," April 26, 1998
  • Coco the Musical program, performed at State Fair of Texas,State Fair Music Hall, 1971
  • The Littlest Wiseman programs, performed at the William Edrington Scott Theater, Fort Worth, 1995-2019
  • Annual Golden Gloves boxing tournament program, 1974
  • H. W. E. Professional Wrestling event flyer, November 21, 2009

General Fort Worth History

  • Bauder Fashion College Career Day letter sent to a guest speaker, includes a college pamphlet, 1975 
  • Campaign card for Andy McColpin for State Representative, 1960s
  • Evans Avenue Baptist Church Golden Anniversary, 1904-1954, Fort Worth, Texas
  • Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Saturday Edition, October 20, 1979
  • How to Manage Your Money, by First National Bank of Fort Worth, 1975
  • Meacham's Bridal Catalog, circa 1970
  • Monnig's Receipt, 1960