A new addition to the Special Collections at Louisiana Tech includes memories from the life of Edgar Lancaster, a Louisiana Tech alumnus and long-time state legislator from Tallulah.

Lancaster has donated a DVD, photographs and an oral history about his life. The oral history is currently being transcribed, said Peggy Carter, Tech archivist.

"Edgar Lancaster's political contributions to Northeast Louisiana's historical heritage are of significant enduring value," Carter said. "He continues to practice family law in Tallulah with ties to the Ruston area. We are delighted to have him share his life experiences with us as a Louisiana Tech alumnus."

Currently, there are 35 oral histories in the Tech collection, and Lancaster's will be a colorful edition. Lancaster, who swore in Attorney General Phillip J. Caldwell, Jan. 14 in inaugural ceremonies, has had quite a distinctive career. In addition to his 16 years in the State House of Representatives, Lancaster is a well-respected family law attorney and a military veteran.

He was honored in November 2007 at the 20th anniversary of the Louisiana State Archives for his role in the passage of the State Archives and Records Act in 1956, which was signed by Gov. Earl K. Long, establishing the State Archives and Records Commission.

Tech's Department of Special Collections, Manuscripts and Archives is housed in Prescott Memorial Library and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (318) 257-2935 or via e-mail at speccoll@latech.edu.

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