Note to Teachers: This pdf contains a compiled collection of historical moments in our town's past geared for West's elementary age students. The highlights of our local history are presented with factual details, photographs, and graphics to help the students visualize how West began and progressed since its first settlers arrived in 1850.
Texas Storytime is a program organized by Humanities that promotes childhood literacy and the support of parents and caregivers. The program partners with community libraries across the state and features works from Texas authors that celebrate the diverse cultures around the state. The program will occur for six weeks at the Centennial Branch of the Midland County Public Library beginning February 8, 2018, and concluding March 15, 2018.
Not Even Past presents the spring film series, Faces of Migration. Each film will be introduced by a faculty member and will be followed by an audience discussion about the themes and questions raised by each film. Specifically, the films will examine the needs, desires, and challenges that migrants face around the globe. Sharing stories and experiences will be encouraged. The films may provide relevence to contemporary and historic migration issues in Texas.
Join the LBJ Library on Feb. 21, 2018 from 8:30am-3:30pm for a teacher workshop on the history of minority voting rights in the United States. Experts on the subject will present and time will be allotted for teachers to utilize the National Archives DocsTeach platform to create lesson plans. Additionally, the LBJ will provide classroom resources for teachers. Bring your own device, preferably a laptop, to use during the event. CPE credit will be awarded.
Location:
2313 Red River Street
Author Mike Cox is slated to speak to the Austin History Center Sunday Jan. 14th on his new book titled "Legends & Lore of the Texas Capitol". The book tells the story behind the construction, mysteries, and significant events that have taken place at the iconic Texas State Capitol. Light refreshments will be offered. Parking is free on Sunday afternoons in the old library parking lot and on nearby streets. "Legends and Lore of the Texas Capitol" will be available for sale at the event and the author will personally sign your copy of the book.
The Texas Archive of the Moving Image has released a new student-directed lesson plan titled "Women on the Move". The lesson plan focuses on the National Women's Conference of 1977, which was held in Houston, TX. The conference was convened with the purpose of drafting a coordinated national plan to ensure gender equality and the protection of the rights of women in the U.S. The lesson plan emphasize the issues women faced leading up to the conference.
The Museum of South Texas History invites Texans from across the Rio Grande Valley to participate in the new Bi-monthly program, Winter Texan Wednesday. The program is designed to introduce visitors to the museum galleries through a tour by museum staff. Visitors will then be invited to listen to a lecture on a designated topic in the courtyard gallery. The next event will be January 10th from 3PM-4PM. The lecture topic will be Citrus in the Rio Grande Valley and will feature Neil Cassidy, expert on the Valley Citrus Industry.
TSHA hosts the Exploring Texas Workshop Series every year. Teachers in attendance can receive professional development credit for attending sessions with accessible historical content and pedagogical advice from renowned scholars, respected classroom practitioners, and organizations with expertise in the fields of history, geography, economics, civics, and skill building.
On Sunday, January 14th, the Museum of South Texas History presents a talk by Dr. Carlos Cantu concerning the Mexican American Youth Organization (MAYO) conference held in December of 1969 at La Lomita Monastery in Mission, Texas. The presentation is a part of the Sunday Speaking Series. Dr. Cantu will discuss the role that this particular MAYO conference played in defining new expressions of ethnic nationalism and settling plans for Chicana/o Studies in colleges and universities.
The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park has recently released a short video documenting the accomplishments of Ninfa Laurenzo. Ninfa Laurenzo, with the support of her husband and family, popularized fajitas in Tex-Mex restaurants and set numerous other trends in Houston food culture during the 20th century. Later in life, Laurenzo became very active in Texas politics. HAM slice #47 traces Laurenzo's life and legacy.