August 1, 2008

Dear Friends of TSHA:

As the new executive director of the Texas State Historical Association, I want the TSHA family to know that I am proud and happy to have been chosen by the Board of Directors to lead this organization as it moves to its new home at the University of North Texas in Denton. I’ve spent most of my career working in the realms of state and local history, and I am happiest when I am plying that trade in my home state of Texas, as I plan now to do for some time to come.

The Board of Directors and staff of TSHA look forward to settling into our new university home and realizing the advantages that come with such collaboration. The partnership with the university provides the ideal means for both organizations to fulfill missions, reach goals, and better serve the people of Texas. The prospect of working with a supportive university administration, a history department that believes in the value of teaching Texas history at all levels, and a library that is a leader in digitizing and making accessible the primary sources of Texas history lends enthusiasm and energy to all that we do. Our goals include living up to the great traditions of the TSHA, as well as finding innovative ways to make Texas history relevant to new and increasingly diverse audiences.

We encourage you to be a part of these efforts by joining the organization, renewing or upgrading your membership level, and contributing to defray the costs of the transition.

For those who join or upgrade by October 1, we offer premiums that include a steep discount on the Texas Almanac (now a TSHA publication) at the Friends level, and, for joining or renewing memberships at higher levels, you will receive free copies of the Almanac, the Portable Handbook of Texas, or the history of TSHA—At the Heart of Texas, written by UNT history professor Rick McCaslin—depending upon the level at which you join. (Click here for specific information about bonuses)

Please take a moment to support the Texas State Historical Association and its mission to “further the appreciation, understanding, and teaching of the rich and unique history of Texas” in this new century and from a new home.

Sincerely,

J. Kent Calder
Executive Director