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At the Heart of Texas: One Hundred Years of the Texas State Historical Association, 1897-1997
"History like that of Texas is rare. . . . Is it not discreditable to the people of Texas, that they should leave the collection of material for the history of the State to the great endowed Northern libraries? . . . Let Texas arouse herself for very shame, and begin at once the discharge of her filial duty."
So wrote George Pierce Garrison in the first issue of the Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association , published in July 1897, just months after the establishment of the organization on March 2. The state of Texas was just half a century old; the city of Austin, going back to the days of the Republic, was a little older—a few years past its half-century; and the University of Texas, where Garrison was "the history professor," was not yet fourteen. Earlier attempts to organize historical societies in Texas, traced in the opening chapter, illuminate the factors that came ultimately to be decisive in the success of the the wisdom in linking the organization with the University of Texas, the inclusion of lay historians, and the continued insistence on high academic standards. And, from the beginning, the Association has established a tradition for publishing in the Quarterly , in addition to the Anglo story, the stories of the Indians, the Spanish, and the French. According to author Richard B. McCaslin, "It may be that the Association survived where its predecessors had not because Garrison, who was as much a Progressive historian as any of his contemporaries, understood the value of inclusiveness."
The text is organized in chronological chapters by the tenures of the seven directors, George Garrison to Ron Tyler, all of whom were professors in the UT history department. Within the larger framework of the directors, the programs, and the publications, McCaslin gives shape to the unique interaction of forces—university, political, and the academic/lay membership—that has accorded the Association a character and suppleness that continues to ensure its long endurance. The book is profusely illustrated, and sidebars culled from past issues of the Quarterly complement the text.
Winner of the Award of Merit from the Philosophical Socierty of Texas
So wrote George Pierce Garrison in the first issue of the Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association , published in July 1897, just months after the establishment of the organization on March 2. The state of Texas was just half a century old; the city of Austin, going back to the days of the Republic, was a little older—a few years past its half-century; and the University of Texas, where Garrison was "the history professor," was not yet fourteen. Earlier attempts to organize historical societies in Texas, traced in the opening chapter, illuminate the factors that came ultimately to be decisive in the success of the the wisdom in linking the organization with the University of Texas, the inclusion of lay historians, and the continued insistence on high academic standards. And, from the beginning, the Association has established a tradition for publishing in the Quarterly , in addition to the Anglo story, the stories of the Indians, the Spanish, and the French. According to author Richard B. McCaslin, "It may be that the Association survived where its predecessors had not because Garrison, who was as much a Progressive historian as any of his contemporaries, understood the value of inclusiveness."
The text is organized in chronological chapters by the tenures of the seven directors, George Garrison to Ron Tyler, all of whom were professors in the UT history department. Within the larger framework of the directors, the programs, and the publications, McCaslin gives shape to the unique interaction of forces—university, political, and the academic/lay membership—that has accorded the Association a character and suppleness that continues to ensure its long endurance. The book is profusely illustrated, and sidebars culled from past issues of the Quarterly complement the text.
Winner of the Award of Merit from the Philosophical Socierty of Texas
300 pages, Hardcover
First published June 30, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 26, 2019
A well written and researched history of the Texas State Historical Association and numerous people associated with it. Many pictures and sidebars are included as well as a list of TSHA fellows. This is agood read for anyone interested in history and Texas. My copy was a free foe renewing my membership in the TSHA.
February 19, 2025
Perhaps I’m a bit partial as I lived in Texas and like Tuffly Ellis as I apply business to history organizations. This is the centennial history of TSHA. The meticulous research done is deftly woven among its elegant prose.
December 3, 2011
a lot of politics of the texas state historical association. it seems in good times them and the university of texas worked hard together to help support texas history. in bad times however, the university was all but ready to drop any budget and projects that the association was doing. finally, the tsha has finally moved northward to the university of north texas.
June 8, 2016
An excellent history of this great organization and the people that have contributed to its success over time. Detailed analysis of the early organizers as well as treatment of the modern contributors. Essential to all interested in the TSHA and the history of Texas in general. Easy read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews