50th Anniversary Newsletter Articles

Humanities Texas Turns Fifty

2023 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Humanities Texas. While our programs in Texas have evolved over five decades, our core mission has remained the same: to strengthen Texas communities by conducting and supporting programs that cultivate the wisdom and vision that representative democracy demands of its citizens. This year, in addition to our usual programming, we are planning a series of receptions around the state to mark fifty years of service to local communities, so keep an eye out for an invitation to a Humanities Texas reception in your part of the state. More»

The Founding of Humanities Texas

In January, we shared that 2023 marks Humanities Texas's fiftieth anniversary. Thoughout the year, we are hosting a series of receptions around the state. We're also highlighting significant milestones from our organizational history in our newsletter. This month, we remember our founding period and the contributions of former Executive Director Jim Veninga, whose tenure spanned 1975–1997. More»

President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act on September 29, 1965. LBJ Presidential Library photo.

Early Initiatives of the Texas Committee for the Humanities

In celebration of our fiftieth anniversary, this month we are highlighting a few of the early initiatives of the Texas Committee for the Humanities (TCH), as Humanities Texas was known from 1978 to 1996. Projects during this period ranged from a resource center designed to support the work of small cultural and educational organizations across the state to an expansive research initiative envisioning Texas's future. These early initiatives of the THC laid the groundwork for the programs and grants offered by Humanities Texas today. More»

TCH board and staff review grant proposals at the organization's South 2nd Street office in Austin in the late 1980s.

Humanities Texas Education Programs: A History

This month, in celebration of our golden anniversary, we are highlighting Humanities Texas's efforts to support humanities instruction in the state's schools over the past five decades. Our teacher professional development institutes as they exist today started in 2004, but work in education began much earlier for the Texas Committee for the Humanities (TCH), as Humanities Texas was known from 1978–1996. Since that time, more than seven thousand Texas teachers representing more than half of the state's 1,300 school districts have participated in our three-day residential institutes, one-day workshops, and online programs. Texas teachers now regard Humanities Texas as the state's premier provider of professional development in the humanities. More»

Stacy Fuller, former director of education and library services at the Amon Carter Museum, leads a primary source seminar at the LBJ Presidential Library.

A Conversation with the Amarillo Museum of Art and the Amarillo Symphony

Humanities Texas recently visited Amarillo as part of our fiftieth anniversary celebrations. During that time, we spoke with Amarillo-based grantees about their work in the humanities, including the Amarillo Museum of Art and the Amarillo Symphony. These featured programs are just a few examples of what Humanities Texas grants have made possible for five decades, not just in the Panhandle but throughout the state. More»

Amarillo Symphony Lunch and Listening series at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts in 2022.

The Year of Our Founding: Summer Reading 2023

It is time again for our annual summer reading feature! In honor of our fiftieth anniversary, we're sharing publications from 1973, the year of Humanities Texas's founding. The result is a list that includes works by a broad range of significant authors, as well as an influential Texas periodical. Take a trip back in time to the early seventies by exploring this year's list. More»

Compartment C Car by Edward Hopper, 1938.

Reflections from Past Board Members

This month, in celebration of our fiftieth anniversary, we are sharing reflections from several former members of Humanities Texas's Board of Directors about their experience serving on the board. Our board dedicates significant time and resources to advance the mission of Humanities Texas, providing guidance and encouragement with unwavering commitment. More»

Former Humanities Texas board members and staff gather at the council's fortieth anniversary celebration at the Byrne-Reed House in December 2013.

Conversations with the Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society and the North Fort Worth Historical Society

On May 9, 2023, Humanities Texas celebrated our fiftieth anniversary with a reception at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. While there, our staff spoke with Fort Worth-based grantees about their work in the humanities, including the Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society and the North Fort Worth Historical Society. These featured programs are just a few examples of what Humanities Texas grants have made possible for five decades, not just in North Texas but throughout the state. More»

Visitors doing genealogical research at the Lenora Rolla Heritage Center Museum in Fort Worth.

Humanities Texas Grants Program: A History

Since our founding in 1973, grantmaking has been at the heart of Humanities Texas's organizational mission. This month, in celebration of our fiftieth anniversary, we are sharing a history of our grants program over the last five decades—from our earliest awards to our recent efforts to support the state's cultural and educational organizations during and after the pandemic.  More»

Tony Peña (left), communications specialist, films Bianca Zecca, a docent at the Museum of South Texas History, for a bilingual history video made possible in part by a pandemic Relief Grant.

A Conversation with Benbrook Public Library

On May 9, 2023, Humanities Texas celebrated our fiftieth anniversary with a reception at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth. While there, our staff spoke with area grantees and exhibition renters about their work in the humanities. This month, we're highlighting Benbrook Public Library to share stories of their connection to the local community and their recent programs and projects. More»

Benbrook Public Library staff member Austin Hodges displays BPL's new library card design.

Outstanding Teaching Awards: A History of Celebrating Texas Teachers

Supporting excellence in K–12 education has long been central to Humanities Texas's mission. For more than thirty years, we have honored the most dedicated and inspiring humanities teachers in our state through our Outstanding Teaching Award program. These incredible teachers from across Texas strengthen and reaffirm the importance of humanities education in their schools, districts, and communities. In continuing celebration of our fiftieth anniversary, we are pleased to highlight our Outstanding Teaching Awards and the remarkable educators we have recognized. More»

Ana Cristina Martinez receives her 2016 Outstanding Teaching Award.

 

A Home for the Humanities

The Byrne-Reed House—Humanities Texas's headquarters—embodies our organization's commitment to history, culture, and education. In 2010, we uncovered the century-old home, returning it to its original character and distinction over the course of a year-long restoration. Located in downtown Austin just a few blocks from the State Capitol, the Byrne-Reed House provides a central venue for our programs and events as well as those of other cultural and educational organizations. This month, in honor of our fiftieth anniversary, we provide a brief summary of the discovery, purchase, and restoration of the special building Humanities Texas now calls home. More»

The northeast corner of the Byrne-Reed House, 1927. Austin History Center.

A History of Humanities Texas Publications

Since our founding in 1973, Humanities Texas has published a number of books by Texas scholars and writers that provide interdisciplinary perspectives on pressing subjects across history, philosophy, literature, anthropology, and other fields. This month, we've compiled a selection of notable publications by Humanities Texas over the past fifty years. More»

Reflecting on Our 50th and Looking Ahead

Since January 2023, we have traveled more than 5,000 miles within the state to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Humanities Texas, holding events in twelve Texas cities. In each community, we invited everyone associated with the organization over the years. We also made new connections, using the receptions as opportunities to reintroduce our mission and work to the region. More»