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.
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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
US Latina/o Archivist
Austin, TX
Term: February 2, 2024 - February 1, 2027
THRAB Coordinator and State Archivist
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Austin, TX
Term: February 1, 2021 - February 1, 2025
Retired educator
Beeville, TX
Term: February 1, 2021 - February 1, 2024
Phyllis Earles
University Archivist
Head, Special Collections and Archives Dept.
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View, TX
Term: February 1, 2023 - February 1, 2026
Chris McDougal
Curator II
Texas Military Forces Museum
Austin, TX
Term: June 1, 2022 - February 1, 2025
Mike Miller
Executive Director
Rosenberg Library
Galveston, TX
Term: February 2, 2024 - February 1, 2027
Archives and Special Collections Manager
Texas A&M University San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
Term: February 1, 2023 - February 1, 2026
Tara Turk-Zaafran*
Head of Social Studies and Middle School Religious Studies
ILM Academy
Houston, TX
Term: February 1, 2023 - February 1, 2026
Felicia Williamson
Director of Library and Archives
Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
300 N. Houston Street
Dallas, TX 75202
Term: February 1, 2023 - February 1, 2026
*Gubernatorial Appointee
Staff Support
THRAB Principal Assistant and
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
thrab@tsl.texas.gov
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
February 16, 2022 Agenda |Minutes
2021
October 21, 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
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.