The Central Texas Historical Association, founded by faculty from Blinn College’s Division of Social Sciences, invites the public to its first educational symposium at Washington on the Brazos – “Where Texas Became Texas.” “Republic of Texas Mosaic: Cultural Diversity from Independence to Statehood,” is set for Saturday, October 24, from 9am to 5 pm at the Conference Center at Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site (WOB).
Four distinguished scholars will discuss topics related to cultural diversity in the Texas Republic. Carolina Castillo Crimm, retired professor of history at Sam Houston State University, will address the experiences of Tejanos; Mary L. Scheer, professor of history at Lamar University, will discuss women’s experiences; James C. Kearney, instructor of Germanic studies at the University of Texas, will examine experiences of German Texans; and James L. Haley, author and Texas historian, will address Native American experiences in the Republic.
“The symposium provides an opportunity for anyone interested in Texas history to learn more about the area in which we live and its different cultural groups,” said Dr. Kenneth Howell, Blinn history instructor and executive director of the CTHA. “That’s the mission of the CTHA—to promote the history and culture of the Central Texas region.”
“With creation of the Central Texas Historical Association we can refocus attention to the most historical area in Texas—Central Texas—where the first colonists settled, and most significantly, where Texas became Texas, at Washington on the Brazos,” adds Houston McGaugh, Director, Star of the Republic Museum. “This symposium reminds us that Texas is truly a crossroads of cultures.”
Blinn’s Division of Social Sciences launched the CTHA in the spring, making Blinn the first community college in Texas to host a regional historical association. The CTHA is a nonprofit that preserves and promotes the history and culture of Central Texas.
The deadline to register is Friday, October 16. Registration is $45 and includes lunch and a self-guided tour of Blinn’s Star of the Republic Museum on the WOB grounds. To register or learn more about the symposium, visit www.centexhistassn.org. Registration will be available on-site at 8am on the day of the symposium, though early commitments are preferred.
