Texas Historical Records Advisory Board

About THRAB | Board Members and Responsibilities | Meeting Agendas and Minutes | Funding Statement

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About THRAB

The nine-member Texas Historical Records Advisory Board (THRAB) was established in 1976 by Governor Dolph Briscoe to fulfill two objectives. First, it enables the state to receive monies from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) in support of archival and records management programs. Second, it serves as a catalyst for improving archival and records storage conditions within the state. In 1997, the board was officially established in state statute within the Texas Government Code, Chapter 441, Subchapter N.

Board members, appointed in accordance with federal and state requirements, have experience or interest in the collection, management, administration and accessibility of historical records. They are dedicated to the preservation and use of Texas' documentary heritage. The State Archivist (Director of the Archives and Information Services Division) serves as coordinator for the Board, and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission provides staff support.

Vision Statement

The future of Texas is one in which all Texans are knowledgeable about their colorful heritage, where the record of the past is preserved and universally accessible and contemporary documentation is valued by citizens of the state.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Texas Historical Records Advisory Board is to:

• promote awareness of historically significant records through education and training
• support public access to records
• serve as a catalyst for improving storage conditions within the state
• support the preservation efforts of historical and genealogical societies, archives, museums, libraries, colleges, local governments, and other institutions
• review grant requests submitted to the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) for funding

Purpose

THRAB participates in the grants program of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) by encouraging, reviewing, and forwarding selected grant requests to the NHPRC for approval and funding. These requests come from Texas institutions and organizations seeking financial support to help preserve papers and records. The Board encourages grant applications from historical societies, libraries, colleges and universities, local governments, and other institutions and organizations that collect and maintain historical records. Through its grants program, the NHPRC encourages a greater effort by private organizations and government to preserve and make available for use those records that foster an understanding and appreciation of American history. In the public sector, these historical records document significant activities of state, county, municipal, and other units of government. In the private sector, historical records include manuscripts, personal and family papers, and organizational and corporate archives that are maintained by a variety of repositories.

• Strategic Plan 2024-2026
• NHPRC Grants Awarded to Texas Institutions

Sign up for the THRAB Announcements newsletter.

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Board Members and Responsibilities

By authority of Texas Government Code, Sections 441.243 and 441.244, the THRAB board is composed of nine members. Three members are appointed by the governor: the state archivist, who is also appointed as the historical records coordinator and acts as presiding officer of the board, and who serves a four-year term; and two public members, who serve staggered terms of three years with the terms of the members expiring on February 1 of different years. The other six members, who must have recognized experience in the administration of government records, historical records, or archives, are appointed by the Director and Librarian of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and serve staggered terms of three years with the terms of one-third of the members expiring on February 1 of each year.

THRAB board members are expected to:

• understand their ethical responsibility to the people of Texas and commit to specific action items
• exercise objective judgment in their fiduciary responsibility as the recommending body to the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) for the federal funds
• participate in all scheduled meetings; review and be prepared to discuss items on the agenda
• forward their comments regarding grant applications to the Board chair no later than seven days prior to the next scheduled meeting, as this will facilitate early distribution
• serve on at least one subcommittee and perform all duties as assigned
• promote awareness of THRAB's mission and goals
• act as a catalyst for records awareness within their own professional and local setting
• be proactive in advocating for preservation of and access to records; be supportive of records custodians and users
• serve as an information source for individuals or professional organizations that are responsible for historical records
• review the contents of the THRAB website on a regular basis and make suggestions for content
• make themselves available to institutions desiring assistance with NHPRC grant proposals
• make themselves available to the chair should he or she require assistance with specific projects

Current Board Members

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Meeting Agendas and Minutes

2024

October 18, 2024        Agenda | Minutes

June 21, 2024              Agenda | Minutes

February 16, 2024      Agenda | Minutes

2023

October 13, 2023        Agenda |Minutes

February 24, 2023      Agenda |Minutes

2022

October 7, 2022         Agenda | Minutes

June 7, 2022                Agenda | Minutes

February 16, 2022      Agenda |Minutes  

2021

October 21, 2021      Agenda| Minutes

June 2, 2021               Agenda |Minutes

February 25, 2021    Agenda | Minutes

2020

October 23, 2020     Agenda |Minutes

July 21, 2020             Agenda | Minutes

February 24, 2020   Agenda |Minutes

2019

October 4, 2019     Agenda | Minutes

June 28, 2019          Agenda | Minutes

February 15, 2019  Agenda | Minutes

2018

October 12, 2018  Agenda | Minutes

June 29, 2018 - Agenda | Minutes

February 2, 2018 - Agenda | Minutes

2017

October 6, 2017 - Agenda | Minutes

February 10, 2017 - Agenda | Minutes

2016

October 7, 2016 - Agenda | Minutes

June 10, 2016 - Agenda | Minutes

February 26, 2016 - Agenda | Minutes

2015

October 30, 2015 - Agenda | Minutes

February 9, 2015 - Agenda | Minutes

2014

December 9, 2014 - Agenda | Minutes

March 31, 2014 - Agenda | Minutes

2013

July 15, 2013 - Agenda | Minutes

May 23, 2013 - Agenda | Minutes

April 8, 2013 - Agenda | Minutes

2012

March 1-2, 2012 - Agenda | Minutes

May 4, 2012 - Agenda | Minutes

December 10, 2012 - Agenda | Minutes

2011

September 2, 2011 - Agenda | Minutes

November 4, 2011 - Agenda | Minutes

2010

September 30 and October 1, 2010 - Agenda | Minutes

2009

August 11, 2009 - Agenda | Minutes

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Funding Statement 

Funding for THRAB activities is provided by a State and National Archival Partnership (SNAP) Grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), a part of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), which supports projects that promote the preservation and use of America's documentary heritage essential to understanding our democracy, history, and culture. The NHPRC provides up to 50 percent of project costs for SNAP grants. THRAB’s required cost share can include both direct and indirect expenses, in-kind contributions, non-Federal third-party contributions, and any income earned directly by the project.