Texas State Historical Association facts for kids

The Texas State Historical Association (often called TSHA) is a special group in the United States. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching people all about the amazing history of Texas. TSHA was started in Austin, Texas, on March 2, 1897. Over the years, its main offices have moved a few times, including to the University of North Texas and then back to the University of Texas at Austin.

The Story of TSHA

How TSHA Began

Imagine a group of ten people meeting on February 13, 1897. They had a big idea: to create an organization that would help everyone learn about Texas history. This important meeting led to the official start of the Texas State Historical Association on March 2, 1897.

George Pierce Garrison, who was in charge of the history department at the University of Texas, helped lead this first meeting. The TSHA chose Oran Milo Roberts as its very first president. Other important people who helped start TSHA included Guy M. Bryan, Anna Pennybacker, Bride Neill Taylor, and Dudley G. Wooten. About twenty to thirty people attended this first meeting. Another founder was John Henninger Reagan.

Early Meetings and Challenges

At the first formal meeting, both men and women became founding members. George P. Garrison strongly believed that old documents and records about Texas needed to be saved. These are called archival materials.

During this meeting, officers were chosen. There was a disagreement about how to refer to the women members. One person, John Salmon Ford, wanted to change the rules to specifically say "lady members" when talking about women. Garrison disagreed, and Bride Neill Taylor also spoke up, saying there was no need for such a change. Ford became upset and left the meeting. The other founding members were disappointed because they hoped Ford's political influence would help the new group.

The first president was Oran Milo Roberts. Dudley G. Wooten, Guy M. Bryan, Julia Lee Sinks, and Charles Corner were chosen as vice presidents. In 1897, becoming a member cost $2 a year.

Annual Gatherings

The TSHA held yearly meetings in Austin. The first annual meeting was on June 17, 1897. People discussed many interesting topics about Texas history. These included "The Expulsion of the Cherokees From East Texas" and "The Last Survivor of the Goliad Massacre." They also talked about places like "The Veramendt House" and "Defunct Counties of Texas." By 1928, the TSHA had grown to 500 members.

Important People in TSHA

TSHA has had many notable members and leaders over the years.

• Ben H. Procter served as president from 1979 to 1980.
• Merline Pitre was president from 2011 to 2012.
• Florence Warfield Sillers was also an important member.

Honored TSHA Fellows

Some members are recognized as "fellows" for their special contributions to Texas history.

• Paul H. Carlson (honored in 1992) is a retired professor from Texas Tech. He is an expert on Texas and the American West.
• A. C. Greene was a well-known book critic, historian, poet, and journalist.

Learning Programs

TSHA offers many programs to help people, especially students, learn about Texas history.

• Educational Department: Started in 1939, this department helps schools teach Texas history better.
• Junior Historians of Texas: This is an extra-curricular program for students in grades four through twelve. It lets them explore history outside of regular classes.
• Texas History Day: This annual event gives students in grades six through twelve a chance to show off their history knowledge. They can create projects like exhibits, documentaries, or performances.
• History Awareness Workshops: These workshops help teachers learn new ways to make history lessons fun and interesting for their students.
• Heritage Travel Program: This is a week-long trip in the summer. Participants travel to different places in Texas to learn about a specific part of its history.

Past Presidents

Here are some of the people who have served as president of the TSHA:

• Oran M. Roberts (1897–1898)
• Dudley G. Wooten (1898–1899)
• John H. Reagan (1899–1905)
• David F. Houston (1905–1907)
• Alexander W. Terrell (1907–1912)
• Zachary T. Fulmore (1912–1915)
• Adele Briscoe Looscan (1915–1925)
• T. F. Harwood (1925–1929)
• Alex Dienst (1929–1932)
• W. R. Wrather (1932–1939)
• Harbert Davenport (1939–1942)
• L. W. Kemp (1942–1946)
• Pat Ireland Nixon (1946–1949)
• Earl Vandale (1949–1951)
• Herbert P. Gambrell (1951–1953)
• Claude Elliott (1953–1955)
• Paul Adams (1955–1957)
• Ralph W. Steen (1957–1959)
• Merle M. Duncan (1959–1962)
• Fred R. Cotten (1962–1964)
• George P. Isbell (1964–1965)
• J. P. Bryan, Sr. (1965–1967)

More to Explore

• West Texas Historical Association, another history group located in Lubbock, Texas
• List of historical societies in Texas

See also

In Spanish: Asociación Histórica del Estado de Texas para niños