Featured Book Display: Texas and the American Revolution

Posted on February 18, 2026 by ARIS Staff

By Robyn Moore, Reference Librarian

Historic map of the Spanish Province of Texas with beige background, teal colored water at the Gulf of Mexico and orange outlining different regions. — Spanish Province of Texas, about 1700-1821. Compiled from map on file among the archives at Saltillo, Mexico, Texas State Archives Map Collection, no. 2748.

Have you ever wondered what was happening in Texas while the original thirteen colonies of the Union were fighting the British Army in the 1770s? As the nation celebrates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, TSLAC invites you to explore the published resources that offer insight into events occurring in Texas during this pivotal time. A good place to start is The Texas Connection with the American Revolution, by Robert H. Thornhoff. This book highlights Texan contributions to the newly-formed United States.

It turns out, Texas played a part in the American victory over England. The British faced war on two fronts once Spain allied with the colonies on the east coast, as they also had to fight on the border with New Spain in the west. New Spain was the territory controlled by Spain at the time, which included Texas. Cattle drives, naval battles, and many other contributions are recorded in the archival documents of the Spanish empire. You can access reproductions of these documents in Documentos Relativos a la Independencia de Norteamérica Existentes en Archivos Españoles.

You don’t need to travel east to see landmarks related to the American Revolution, either. Galveston is named for a Revolutionary War hero, Bernardo de Gálvez. Learn more about how Gálvez cleared the British Navy from the Gulf and helped draft the Treaty of Paris, the document that officially ended the war, in Forgotten Chapters of the American Revolution: Spain, Gálvez, and Isleños, by Rueben M. Perez. Investigate other landmarks with the Markers Placed by the Texas Daughters of the American Revolution, by the Texas Society Daughters of the American Revolution. If you miss the featured book display, don’t worry, we have these titles available all year long!

Photo of bookcase with three shelves of books facing outward and four books on top with a Featured Books sign. An antique map of Texas is hung on the wall behind the display.

Search the TSLAC catalog for more publications about Texas and the American Revolution. For more information about access to the titles on display, please contact TSLAC reference services at ref@tsl.texas.gov or call 512-436-5455.

title	author	call number	location	digital
The littlest vaquero Texas first cowboys and how they helped win the American Revolution	Liles, Maurine Walpole	XX		yes
Index of the Rolls of honor (ancestor’s index) in the Lineage books of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution [volumes 1-160]	Daughters of the American Revolution	369.135 D265L INDEX 1972 V.1-80	GEN
Tejano patriots of the American Revolution, 1776-1783	Villarreal, Jesse O.	976.40046 V713t	GEN
Republic of Texas roots : American Revolution roots	Rathburn, Lloyd Calvin	929.2 R175	GEN
The American revolution in the South	Lee, Henry, 1756-1818.	973.3 L512A	GEN
The Alamo heroes and their Revolutionary ancestors	Daughters of the American Revolution. Alamo Chapter (San Antonio, Tex.)	976.435 D265aa	GEN
Brunswick deserter-immigrants of the American Revolution.	Smith, Clifford Neal	929.3 SM53	GEN
Texas and the American Revolution	University of Texas Institute of Texan Cultures at San Antonio	976.402 IN7T	MAIN
The Texas connection with the American Revolution	Thonhoff, Robert H	976.402 T388t	MAIN
Bernardo de Gálvez : hero of the American Revolution	LaFarelle, Lorenzo G.	920.7 G139b	MAIN
Forgotten chapters of the American Revolution : Spain, Gálvez, and Isleños	Perez, Rueben M.	973.3 P415f	MAIN
Markers placed by the Texas Daughters of the American revolution; with illustrations and historical sketches. A contribution to the celebrations commemorating the state’s centennial year.	Daughters of the American Revolution. Texas Society	976.4 D265M	MAIN
The American sword, 1775-1945 : a survey of the swords worn by the uniformed forces of the United States from the Revolution to the close of World War II	Peterson, Harold L.	739.72 P442 1965	MAIN
Historic costumes and furnishings	Daughters of the American Revolution. Texas Society.	391.2 D265	MAIN
Documentos relativos a la independencia de Norteamérica existentes en archivos españoles	Spain. Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores	973 D659 V.1 PT.1	MAIN
Drama & conflict : the Texas saga of 1776	Weddle, Robert S.	976.402 W413D	MAIN
Texas in 1776 : a historical description	Connor, Seymour V.	976.402 C762T OVER-T	MAIN
American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of Texas	Riddle, Gene Jones	A1500.8 AM35	TXD
Spanish Texas, 1519-1821	Chipman, Donald E.	Z UA380.8 C444SP	TXD
Guidelines for city bicentennial planning	American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of Texas, issuing body	A1500.5 G942ci	TXD
Texas Bicentennial Community Program : citizen involvement in a national celebration	American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of Texas	A1500.8 B471co	TXD
American revolution at a glance, 1775-1783	National Park Service	I 29.2:R 32/5	USD	Yes
Revolutionary secrets : cryptology in the American Revolution	Wilcox, Jennifer E.	D 1.2:C 88/11	USD	Yes

Free Family History Workshop with the Texas Society Daughters of the American Revolution (TXDAR)

Posted on February 3, 2026 by ARIS Staff

Graphic with workshop title, Family History Workshop with TXDAR, Saturday, February 14, 10:00a.m. - 2:00p.m. Free and open to the public, in person at TSLAC, Austin.

Join us on site at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) in Austin on Saturday, Feb. 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a user-friendly workshop on tracing your family lineage back to the era of the American Revolution in 1776. Guest speakers from the Texas Society Daughters of the American Revolution will discuss the organization along with resources they offer for genealogy research.

Come learn about the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), why women join and how DAR resources can help uncover overlooked patriots. You may have one or more Revolutionary patriots in your family, and this session will walk you through the resources available that help you explore your connection to these brave men and women. Presenters will also share information about the DAR’s E Pluribus Unum Committee and specialty research groups. In addition, our library reference staff will describe the various genealogy tools available through TSLAC. After the morning presentations and Q&A, DAR volunteers and TSLAC librarians will be on-hand to assist with family history research in the reading room from noon until 2:00 p.m.

Presentations 10:00a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Public Events Space

Hands-on Research Noon – 2:00 p.m. Reference Reading Room

This workshop is free and open to the public. Registration is requested, but not required. Sign up for the workshop by Feb. 11 via the online form at https://forms.office.com/r/iJFDaG7qtS.

Named a National Literary Landmark, the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building located at 1201 Brazos St. in downtown Austin, directly east of the Texas Capitol. In addition to TSLAC’s rotating exhibits, visitors may view the six flags flown over Texas, six Texas seal mosaics and the panoramic Texas history mural in the lobby.

Parking is available at the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage across the street. Additional parking options, including handicapped parking, along with directions and maps, is available on TSLAC’s website at www.tsl.texas.gov/visit.

Liberty Area Readers, Join the Club! SHC Book Club Meets January 27

Posted on January 21, 2026 by ARIS Staff

graphic with information about the SHC Book Club, Jan. 27 6:00pm featuring The Briar Club by Kate Quinn and location, phone, and email address of SHC. All included in text of the post.

The SHC Quarterly Book Club will meet January 27 at the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center (SHC) in Liberty to discuss the novel The Briar Club by Kate Quinn.

Quinn’s work of historical fiction centers around a boarding house in 1950s Washington, DC, and the various women renting rooms from the home’s owner. Join the group for this fun, free, and informal gathering of readers from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. No membership or registration is required.

Featuring fictional works with a connection to the world of museums, archives, and libraries, the SHC book club is open to all and meets in the Center’s main building at 650 FM 1011 in Liberty. Home to extensive archival holdings documenting Southeast Texas, a library collection and a museum, the Center offers an ideal setting for discussions about novels tied to these fields. Each meeting will be led by SHC staff.

Interested participants may obtain a copy of the novels through their local library or favorite bookstore to prepare for the conversation. For more information, contact SHC staff at (936) 336-8821 or via email at SamHoustonCenter@tsl.texas.gov.

The Sam Houston Center is a component of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and serves as the official regional historical resource depository for the 10 Southeast Texas counties of Chambers, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto, and Tyler. The Center’s primary mission is to collect, preserve, and provide access to historically significant state and local government records and publications of the designated region and secondarily to serve as a library of Texana and genealogical resources.

From the Feeds: State Archives Social Media Roundup 2025

Posted on January 7, 2026 by ARIS Staff

Featuring recent selections from our “Throwback Thursday” and other posts on TSLAC’s social media platforms. No subscription required.

July

Sepia-toned full length photo portrait of Mrs. Clara Driscoll Sevier wearing a full-length dress and clasping her hands in front of her waist. — Mrs. Clara Driscoll Sevier, Austin, Texas, undated. William Deming Hornaday photograph collection, 1975/070-4821.

#OTD July 17, 1945, Clara Driscoll (1881-1945) passed away. Descended from veterans of the Battle of San Jacinto, Driscoll was raised in a wealthy family in the Corpus Christi area. As an educated young woman of eighteen, she turned her interest in historic preservation to the fate of the crumbling buildings left standing on the site of the famous battle of the Alamo. Driscoll financed, with the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the purchase of the site and became known as “The Savior of the Alamo.” She went on to engage in other historic preservation efforts, write fiction, serve on various boards and committees, and take over her father’s business interests after the death of her brother.

August

Sepia-toned photo of Texas governor W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel riding a bicycle while wearing a suit and a white wide-brimmed hat. — W. Lee “Pappy” O’Daniel on a bicycle, undated. Prints and Photographs collection, 2009/100.

#TBT W. Lee O’Daniel served as Texas governor and United States senator. Born in 1890 in Ohio, O’Daniel came to Texas at age 29 as a sales manager for Burrus Mills, a flour-milling company in Fort Worth. In 1928, O’Daniel took over the company’s radio advertising and started a country music program to promote the flour. O’Daniel hosted the show and organized a band called the Light Crust Doughboys. Many of the musicians who made Western Swing famous, including Bob Wills, got their start in O’Daniel’s band. In 1935 he organized his own flour company to make “Hillbilly Flour” and began to call his band the Hillbilly Boys. The slogan, “Pass the biscuits, Pappy,” made O’Daniel a household name throughout Texas. O’Daniel takes a spin on a bicycle in this undated photo. Read more about “Pappy” here: https://www.tsl.texas.gov/treasures/characters/pappy.html

September

Black and white photo of the two-story Texan Theatre in Kilgore Texas. — Texan Theatre, Kilgore, TX, undated. Department of Public Safety records, 1978/023-30.

#TBT This undated photo of Kilgore’s Texan Theatre may have been taken very soon after it opened in 1931. The 1931 film A Connecticut Yankee starring humorist Will Rogers is advertised as running in June at the theatre. A fire destroyed the building in 1942, and a new theatre was constructed in 1944.

October

Sepia-toned photo of man riding a peanut harvester pulled by two horses. The man wears a shirt and vest and hat and is viewed from the back. — Harvesting peanuts in Texas, undated. William Deming Hornaday photograph collection, 1975/070-5076.

#TBT Fall is a time for hayrides and pumpkin carving and celebrations surrounding harvest season. This gentleman is using a horse-drawn plow to harvest peanuts somewhere in Texas. The state is a leading producer of peanuts, which have health benefits for people and are also good for the soil. According to our Dept. of Agriculture, Texas is the only state to produce all four types of peanuts: Runner, Virginia, Valencia, and Spanish.

November

1918 sepia-toned photo of soldier kneeling next to a rifle in a grassy field. — Kneeling soldier, 1918. Photographs, 1972/115-189. General John A. Hulen papers.

#OTD Originally referred to as Armistice Day, on Veterans Day we honor all those who have served in the U.S. military. Armistice Day celebrated the end of WWI, which was still ongoing when this photo was taken in 1918. The note reads: “Wounded man on the way back to the hospital, 144th Regiment Infantry (formerly 4th and 6th Regiments Infantry, Texas National Guard), Ville-sur-Tierre, France 8-29-18. Signal Corps Photo 24134. Photo by U.S. Signal Corps.” View more images from this collection in the TDA: https://tsl.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_26bce761-1078-437b-9172-f3bff4545619/

December

Black and white photo of Texas governor's mansion with a snow-covered lawn and the governor W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel and his wife Molly posing in front. — Texas Governor’s Mansion in the snow, January 22, 1940. Texas Department of Safety photographs, 1976008_194.

#TBT Will Austin see snow this year like this day back in January of 1940? Governor W. Lee “Pappy” O’Daniel and his daughter Molly pose in front of the Governor’s Mansion on a snowy day. The first day of winter is around the corner and time will tell!

For more information about the collections at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, contact ref@tsl.texas.gov or 512-463-5455.

New Online: Recent Updates to Finding Aids and Digital Images Available Online

Posted on December 3, 2025 by ARIS Staff

Color image of a hand holding a tablet computer with the text New Online at the top.

As our archives staff work on an ongoing basis to arrange, preserve, describe, and make available to the public the materials under our care, we spotlight new additions to the website in a regular feature from Out of the Stacks. The column lists new and revised finding aids recently made available online, along with fresh uploads to the Texas Digital Archive, our repository of electronic items. For a comprehensive list of all recently added and updated finding aids visit Archives: Finding Aids (New & Revised).

FY 2025 Q2

New Finding Aids

State Records

Color photo of vote being taken in the House Chambers of the Texas Capitol. Several men gather at the podium under the US and Texas flags. — Vote being taken, 1974. Texas Constitutional Convention of 1974 audiovisual materials,2025/057-0008. View in TDA.

Texas Constitutional Convention of 1974 audiovisual recordings – all audiovisual recordings are electronic files that are part of the Texas Digital Archive

The Texas Constitutional Convention of 1974 was the culmination of a three-part process to revise and simplify the ninety-seven-year-old Texas constitution. These audiovisual materials date 1974 and document the Constitutional Convention of 1974 (convened on January 8 and closed on July 30), which failed to result in a revised constitution to submit to voters. Digital copies of the color slides, film footage of the convention, film productions about the convention, and the original audio recordings regarding the convention, document its ceremonial aspects; selection of convention officers; committee appointments, assignments, and meetings; floor debates; testimonies; press conferences; information prepared for the public; and the film productions The Making of the Texas Constitution and A New Constitution for Texas. These digital copies were created by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission with grant funding provided by the Library Services and Technology Act, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles records – includes electronic records that are part of the Texas Digital Archive

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles provides title, registration, and license plate services; licenses and regulates motor vehicle dealers, manufacturers, converters, lessors, and lease facilitators; enforces the law regulating motor vehicle dealer sales practices (regarding manufacturers’ warranties and fraud, unfair practices, discrimination, impositions, and other abuses); and investigates consumer complaints under the “lemon law” of 1983. These Texas Department of Motor Vehicle records include correspondence, minutes, organization charts, and a draft of the agency’s sunset self-evaluation report, dating 1997-2022.

Texas Guardianship Certification Board meeting agenda and minutes

The Texas Guardianship Certification Board oversaw the certification, registration, and licensing of state-appointed guardians, under the direction of the Office of Court Administration (OCA) of the Texas Judicial Branch. A legal guardian is a person who has been appointed by a court or otherwise has the legal authority to make decisions relevant to the personal and property interests of another person, known as a ward. These Texas Guardianship Certification Board meeting agenda and minutes, 2006-2013, document aspects of the certification process, disciplinary proceedings against guardians, and committee activities.

Manuscripts

Scanned document. Image of a schedule (chart) of clothing and material from the Spanish American War. — Company H schedule of clothing and material: item 3, 1890s. George Willrich Spanish-American War papers, 1948/016.

George Willrich Spanish-American War papers – these papers have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.

George Willrich served as captain of the Fayette Light Guard, first organized in 1886 as part of the Texas Volunteer Guard. On April 24, 1898, he joined for duty and enrolled at La Grange, Texas, to serve as captain of Company H, 1st Volunteer Infantry, during the Spanish-American War and was mustered into service the following month. The George Willrich Spanish-American War papers, 1898-1899, 1928, bulk 1898-1899, document his service and that of Company H in Havana, Cuba, during that military conflict. These papers consist of quartermaster records; correspondence relating to personnel and military court matters; ordnance and ordnance stores records; infantry equipment inventories, schedules, and correspondence; muster rolls; an annual report of the Adjutant-General of the Army to the Secretary of War; and correspondence sent to Willrich in 1928 asking him to organize an encampment of Spanish-American War veterans. These papers have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.

Hull-Daisetta Rotary Club collection (at Sam Houston Center)

The Hull-Daisetta Rotary Club was chartered on April 1, 1926, in Hull, Liberty County, Texas. Rotary clubs are local chapters of an international service organization that seeks to build fellowship and understanding between business and professional leaders. In 2006, several local individuals and organizations began working to support renovation of the Hull-Daisetta Rotary Club building and preserve its legacy. It was moved to the grounds of the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center in June 2010 and now houses an exhibit on the heritage of Rotary clubs and community service in Southeast Texas. The Hull-Daisetta Rotary Club collection documents some of the activities of the club. These records are attendance and program records, membership rosters, correspondence, financial records, newsletters, photographs, posters, and artifacts. Materials date 1926-1979, 2010, bulk 1949-1979.

R.D. (Bob) Evans rice production slides (Sam Houston Center)

Robert Dawson (Bob) Evans was a prominent rice farmer in Devers, Liberty County, Texas. This collection consists of 275 color slides of photographs, maps, and statistical information pertaining to rice production in Southeast Texas, primarily Devers in Liberty County. Materials date 1961-1965.

Revised Finding Aids

State Records

Texas Department of State Health Services organization charts

Texas Governor Allan Shivers lieutenant governor files

Texas Governor Allan Shivers senate files

Texas 3rd Court of Appeals records – a portion of the Indexes and registers has been digitized and along with electronic selected case files are part of the Texas Digital Archive.

Texas Education Agency historical school district action files – card file indexes have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.

Texas State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners records

Texas Board of Architectural Examiners records – includes electronic records that are part of the Texas Digital Archive.

Galveston County (Tex.) Justice of the Peace records. Digitized records that are part of the Texas Digital Archive.

Texas Animal Health Commission meeting records – includes electronic records that are part of the Texas Digital Archive.

Texas Attorney General’s Office Assistant for Information records

Texas Historical Commission History Programs Division records – oral history recordings, transcripts, and related photographs have been digitized and, along with electronic records received from the agency, are part of the Texas Digital Archive.

Manuscripts

Texas State Archives Broadsides and printed ephemera collection

Sibley Cooley 36th Division Association audiovisual collection – the entire collection is part of the Texas Digital Archive

General John A. Hulen papers – select photographs have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.

Air Day in Texas

Posted on November 12, 2025 by ARIS Staff

By Andrew Hempe, Archivist

Governor Coke Stevenson issued proclamation no. 41-29 designating September 7, 1946, as Air Day in Texas. The proclamation was issued in recognition of the important role played by the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, that much of the training of the Air Corps’ pilots took place in Texas, and the increasingly important role that civilian air traffic was playing in Texas. The proclamation noted that Texas had more airports, “more feet of airport runways,” and more privately owned airplanes than any other state.

Image of portion of newspaper front page with Governor Proclaims 'Air Day In Texas' For Harlingen above the masthead for Valley Morning Star. A photo of the governor signing the proclamation is featured on the front page. — Front page, Tuesday, July 23, 1946, Valley Morning Star newspaper, Harlingen, Texas. Air Day in Texas, 4-14/154. Texas Governor Coke R. Stevenson records.

Air Day was hosted in Harlingen, home to the Army Airfield (later Harlingen Air Force Base and today Valley International Airport). Attendance at the event was estimated to be between 15-20,000. Approximately 300 aircraft flew to Harlingen. Festivities included performances by military aircraft, including acrobatic and precision flying, simulated combat flying, and an appearance by a new jet-propelled plane that flew over the crowd. The delegation from Cuero, Texas, proposed a stunt that was ultimately not allowed due to safety concerns: dropping a live turkey from a low flying plane onto the audience. A beauty contest was also held, with the contestant from San Antonio named “Miss Air Queen.”

Western Union telegram stamped Sep 6 with text from Earl Warren Governor (of California) to Governor Coke Stevenson = State Capitol Austin Tex = Appreciated invitation to first annual "Air Day in Texas" tomorrow and regret commitments here prevent my being with you. Know it will be an outstanding success. With cordial good wishes to you and the people of Texas. — Some of the many dignitaries invited to the event were not able to attend. Governor of California and future Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren sent his regards. Telegram, Governor Earl Warren to Governor Coke Stevenson, September 6, 1946. Air Day in Texas, 4-14/154. Texas Governor Coke R. Stevenson records.

Air Day in Texas followed on the heels of Air Force Day, held on August 1, 1945, and again one year later on August 1, 1946. While the focus of Air Day in Texas was both civilian and military air travel, the Air Force Days were focused exclusively on military applications of flight. August 1 was the anniversary of the founding of the US Army Air Corps in 1907 and the proclamations for each of the Air Force Days noted that more Air Force bases were located in Texas and more Air Force pilots were trained in Texas than in any other state. The US military presence and the veterans who continue to contribute to communities long after their service has concluded, helps define the legacy and spirit of Texas.

Collections at the State Archives help document the long history of civilian and military aviation in Texas. To learn more about these and other materials at the State Archives, visit https://www.tsl.texas.gov/arc or contact reference staff at 512-463-5455 or ref@tsl.texas.gov.

Apply Now for TSLAC’s Research Fellowship in Texas History

Posted on October 29, 2025 by ARIS Staff

graphic with red background and black and white image of an individual in a library with books and laptop open. Text reads: Research fellowship in texas history applications now open. $2000 award for research at TSLAC in 2026. Apply by January 15, 2026. Logos for TSLAC and TXLAF.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) is now accepting applications for its 2026 Research Fellowship in Texas History. The fellowship includes a $2,000 stipend and is awarded for the best research proposal utilizing the collections of the State Archives in Austin or the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center in Liberty, Texas.

The TSLAC Research Fellowship in Texas History is made possible by the generous support of the Texas Library and Archives Foundation.

The application must include the purpose of the proposed research, collections of interest, a discussion of how this research will contribute to a greater understanding of Texas history, plans for dissemination and a curriculum vitae. The recipient of the fellowship will be asked to present the results of their research at a TSLAC event. Judges may withhold the award at their discretion.

Visit www.tsl.texas.gov/arc/researchfellowship to apply by January 15, 2026.

THRAB Announces 2025 Archival Awards

Posted on October 2, 2025 by ARIS Staff

The Texas Historical Records Advisory Board (THRAB) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Archival Awards. THRAB has named former Vice-President for Digital Media Production at NBC5/KXAS Television Brian Hocker as the recipient of the Advocacy for Archives Award. The David B. Gracy II Award for Distinguished Archival Service has been awarded to John H. Slate of the Dallas Municipal Archives.

The Advocacy for Archives Award acknowledges an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to ensure the preservation and availability of the historical record of Texas. Brian Hocker was instrumental in helping to preserve the extensive media collection of the first television news station in Texas (NBC/5/KXAS-formerly, WBAP-TV) and ensuring the historic footage would be made available to the public. Hocker identified the University of North Texas (UNT) as a partner in this endeavor and coordinated with the University Libraries’ Special Collections to archive and digitize decades worth of footage of events in the North Texas area. He went on to serve on the UNT Libraries Advocacy Board after retirement from NBC5 and engages with various community and business groups to promote the archive.

Learn more about the NBC5/KXAS (WBAP) Television News collections at UNT

THRAB has awarded John H. Slate the 2025 David B. Gracy II Award for Distinguished Archival Service. The award recognizes an individual or organization that has provided outstanding leadership, service and/or contributions to the archival profession in Texas. Slate began his professional career in archives in Austin and San Antonio and has served as archivist for the City of Dallas since 2000. In his current role, Slate has led by example and raised awareness about the relevance of municipal archives. The book he co-authored, Managing Local Government Archives, has become a key resource. Slate has contributed to the profession through service on committees and leadership in organizations at every level, including as a Fellow of the Society of American Archivists (SAA), the highest honor offered by that group. Slate has presented and written on archival subjects throughout the years and has generously mentored many others in the field.

Learn more about the Dallas Municipal Archives

THRAB congratulates the 2025 archival award recipients and will present each of the awards during Texas Archives Month in October.

About the Texas Historical Records Advisory Board (THRAB):
THRAB serves as an advisory body for historical records planning and supports efforts to preserve and provide access to archival collections throughout the state. Funding for THRAB is provided by the National Historical Publications Records Commission (NHPRC), the grant-making arm of the National Archives and Records Administration. The state archivist is appointed by the governor to preside over the nine-member board.

Featured Book Display: A Texas Spooky Season

Posted on September 24, 2025 by ARIS Staff

By Robyn Moore, Reference Librarian

black and white photo of entrance to a bridge in Denton County. — Denton County’s Old Alton Bridge, also known as “Goatman’s Bridge.” Texas Historical Commission History Programs Division records, 10DN hist pic_1988_1. View in the TDA: https://tsl.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_2b3b7c23-f5ae-43b4-aff8-b9d4eb197835/

Autumn creeps into Texas slowly. First, just a breath of cool air to break the baking heat of the sun, then colorful pumpkins, gourds, and squash sprout up in gardens and farms signaling the harvest season. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) has plenty of books to accompany the spirit of fall and currently has select titles on display. Follow Hummingbird as he grows his own garden in Hummingbird’s Squash, or check out titles such as Easy Gardening, Squash at TSLAC to start planning your own harvest for next year.

Photo of 3-shelf book case with books on display.

Squash and gardening aside, there are also eerie themes to explore. You can read the story of one of the most feared ghosts in Texas in Maya’s Children: The Story of La Llorona. Or, if you dare, peer inside Ghost Lore: A Collection of Ghost, Phantom and Legendary Mysteries, Chiefly of Texas and of Old Mexico for a tale that will send a shiver down your spine. Immerse yourself in Texas’ unique scary legends and learn about the Goatman’s Bridge up in Denton, but if you don’t want to go cryptid hunting and risk an encounter with the vengeful spirit, you can visit from the comfort of the library by looking at Geography of Denton County to find the bridge yourself.

Black and white photo of Denton's Old Alton bridge. Photo is from below looking south. — Denton County’s Old Alton Bridge, also known as “Goatman’s Bridge.” Texas Historical Commission History Programs Division records, 10DN02 hist pic_south elevation_1988. View in the TDA: https://tsl.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_9e31b4ce-675b-4001-8a4a-a9bc1eaa2d6a/

Another spooky Texas legend is that of the ghost town; towns that were once booming but are now completely abandoned. If you stand on Main Street, will you hear the whispers of days past? How do these dead places come to be born? Check out one such place in The Birth of a Texas Ghost Town: Thurber, 1886-1933.

Not all Texas ghosts are scary, though. The Mexican celebration of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is widely celebrated across Texas, too. Families honor those who have already passed on and celebrate their memories. Read more about this tradition in Corridos & Calaveras, a celebration of the music of Día de los Muertos. Or try Mexican American Holidays and Festivities, published by the Benson Latin American Collection at the University of Texas at Austin for a full picture of the celebrations.

Finally, these are some of the last days to observe the famous Congress Avenue Bridge bats in Austin before they fly away to Mexico for the winter. Though many people are spooked by bats, these little creatures are actually our best friends, especially during a buggy summer. Try the Resource Book on Texas Bats: with Special Emphasis on Mexican Free-tailed Bats, Tadarida Brasiliensis to learn more about our seasonal neighbors.

Search the TSLAC catalog for more publications about these and other spooky subjects! more information about access to the titles on display, please contact TSLAC reference services at ref@tsl.texas.gov or call 512-436-5455.

Title	call number	section	available digitally
Maya’s Children: The Story of La Llorona	398.2 An18m YALL	Ref RR
The Ghost of Sifty-Sifty Sam	813.54 M467g YALL	Ref RR
Ghosts Along the Texas Coast	133.1 W671G	MAIN
Haunted Texas: Famous Phantoms, Sinister Sites, and Lingering Legends	133.1 W675h 2017	MAIN
Witchcraft in the Southwest; Spanish and Indian Supernaturalism on the Rio Grande	133.409789 SI47	MAIN
Ghost Stories of Old Texas, III	398.25 F829G 1995	MAIN
Phantoms of the Plains: Tales of West Texas Ghosts	398.25 W671p	MAIN
Spirits of San Antonio and South Texas	398.25 W671S	MAIN
Ghost Lore: A Collection of Ghost, Phantom and Legendary Mysteries, Chiefly of Texas and of Old Mexico	398.4 Y38g	MAIN
The Haunted Hacienda	813 C7862h	MAIN
Famous Modern Ghost Stories	813.5 F211m	MAIN
Humorous Ghost Stories	813.5 H883g	MAIN
Corridos & Calaveras	784.4972 T494 OVER-T	MAIN
Bat-watching sites of Texas.	P400.8 B31WA 2007	TXD
Resource book on Texas bats : with special [sic] emphasis on Mexican free-tailed bats, Tadarida brasiliensis	P400.8 R312BO	TXD
Easy gardening, squash	Z TA245.7 L47 NO.1582	TXD
Bats of Texas	Z TA475.8 B321 2012	TXD
The birth of a Texas ghost town : Thurber, 1886-1933	Z TA475.8 G289BI	TXD
Brujerías: Stories of Witchcraft and the Supernatural in the American Southwest and Beyond	Z TT422.8 G165BU	TXD
More Spooky Texas Tales	Z TT422.8 T493MO	TXD
Texas ghost stories : fifty favorites for the telling	Z TT422.8 T493TE 2004	TXD
Mexican American holidays and festivities	Z UA273.7 B471 NO.35 1990	TXD
America’s neighborhood bats : [understanding and learning to live in harmony with them]	Z UA380.8 T887AM	TXD
The Supernatural: Haunted Houses and Legendary Ghosts	C 47.12/2:10	USD
Recipe cards	HE 20.3202:R 24/3	USD
Hummingbird’s squash	HE 20.7002:H 88/4	USD	Yes
Garnet Ghost Town	I 53.2:G 18/2	USD
Halloween Safety	Y 3.C 76/3:11-3 H 15/2	USD

Let’s Talk Tacos!

Posted on September 9, 2025 by ARIS Staff

If the Lone Star Menu exhibit on view in our lobby has you craving a conversation about Texas cuisine, the Texas Center of the Book has just the event for you! Please join us on Monday, Sept. 22 from 2:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. for a talk with The Tacos of Texas author Mando Rayo.

Rayo is a taco journalist and the co-creator of the United Tacos of America TV show, host of the Tacos of Texas podcast (now in its fifth season), and author of The Tacos of Texas book. As an avid taco ambassador, food explorer, and street ethnographer, Mando has traveled across the U.S. to uncover the tastiest tacos, from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas to L.A. and from New Orleans to New York City. Mando was also a James Beard Foundation Awards finalist in 2022. He will be in conversation with Texas Center for the Book Coordinator Michele Chan Santos for the September installment of #TXBookChat LIVE.

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP online at https://bit.ly/TXBookChatRayo.

Hosted in the Public Event Space at the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building located in the Capitol Complex, 1201 Brazos St. in Austin, this event is free and open to the public.

Readers can pre-order The Tacos of Texas online at www.texascapitolgiftshop.com/210866/the-tacos-of-texas.html.

The Texas Center for the Book’s #TXBookChat series has provided a platform for discussions with authors, librarians, and literary professionals since 2020. These informal events offer a quick look into different aspects of the state’s literary world. For more information, and to view videos of past events, visit the website at www.tsl.texas.gov/txbookchat.

One of 50 state centers affiliated with the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, the Texas Center for the Book is under the direction of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. For more information, contact Michele Chan Santos at mcsantos@tsl.texas.gov or visit www.tsl.texas.gov/centerforthebook.