Discovering Texas History Conference
Thompson Conference Center
2405 Robert Dedman Drive
Austin, TX 78712
The Bullock Texas State History Museum
1800 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
August 10-11, 2015
Monday, August 10, 2015 – Thompson Conference Center
8:00 a.m.
8: 30 a.m.
9:45 a.m.
1.110
Registration and visit with exhibitors (2.102)
Welcome and Announcements
Steve Cure, Texas State Historical Association
Key Address: Beyond Stephen F. Austin: Other Empresarios in Mexican Texas
Andrew Torget, University of North Texas
This presentation will detail the rise and fall of the numerous other empresarios – including
Green DeWitt, Martin de Leon, Haden Edwards, among others – who competed with Stephen F.
Austin in populating Mexican-Era Texas
Breakout Session #1
1.124
1.126
2.110
2.120
Josh Crawford, Texas Parks and Wildlife & Tony Souther, Texas Historical Commission
This presentation will give an overview of Texas pre-history through 1836 with an emphasis on the Caddoan Culture and early Spanish missions.
Humanities Texas Resources for Teachers
Eric Lupfer, Humanities Texas
Humanities Texas will present its resources for Texas history teachers, which includes the
“Texas Originals” radio series, traveling exhibitions, and broad range of online resources.
American Indians in Texas to 1836
Matthew Babcock, University of North Texas-Dallas
This presentation will highlight the centrality of Native peoples to Texas’s history prior to 1836.
Drawing on recent interdisciplinary scholarship, including the author’s own research, it will demonstrate the powerful influence that Apaches, Comanches, and Caddos exerted on the regional political economy of the southern Plains and the land known as Texas.
The Texas Economy: Lessons from the Dallas Fed
Princeton Williams, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas has been an important part of the Texas economy since
1914. Learn about the Dallas Fed's research on the Texas economy. Preview free classroom resources.
Using Freesources: Technology and Primary Source Material at the Texas General Land Office
Patrick Walsh & Laurel Neuman, Texas General Land Office
This presentation will showcase methods for infusing free web-based applications with publicly available online primary source historical documents from the Archive of the Texas General
Land Office. We will touch on the content available at the GLO and its significance to Texas history, and provide examples of how two online apps – ThingLink and Google Tour Builder – can be successfully utilized in the classroom.

10:45 a.m.
1.110
1.124
2.110
2.120
Breakout Session #2
Texas History Through the Portal to Texas History
Jacob Mangum, The Portal to Texas History
This presentation will introduce users to the Portal to Texas History. The Portal is a digital library with nearly 600,000 items, or 6.2 million individual files, dating back to the 1800s for primary source materials and even further for secondary sources.
Session sponsored by The Portal to Texas History
A Day in 1800s Texas Creating Matchbox and Trunk Collections for the Classroom and How it
Relates to the Testing Realities of the 21 st Century
John and Carol Potter, A Day in 1800s Texas
This presentation will show participants how to create a matchbox or trunk collections for the classroom and how to do it on a budget, and show how these become an essential way of addressing the objectives of state curriculum and testing.
LBJ Presidential Library: Resources and Primary Sources
Amanda Melancon, LBJ Presidential Library
The LBJ Presidential Library provides the opportunity to learn about one of this country’s most complex and fascinating presidents and the turbulent times of his administration – the 1960s.
During this session, you’ll learn how to access the primary sources of the Library as well as what other resources are available.
Spanish Texas
Caroline Crimm, Sam Houston State University (retired)
Spanish Texas has influenced everything we do and see in Texas today. This presentation will provide a background on the important aspects of Spanish culture, history and society to the participants.

11:45 a.m.
1.110
1.124
1.126
2.110
2.120
12:45 p.m.
Breakout Session #3
Educational Resources from the Texas Historical Commission
Lisa Worley, Texas Historical Commission
Discover educational programing and resources from the Texas Historical Commission available for teachers, including learning local history using historical markers, historic cemeteries, etc., as well as presenting plans for development of statewide educational programming.
Using Music to Teach Texas History
K.R. Wood, Texanna Records
K.R. Wood wil demonstrate teaching history through his Fathers of Texas music series by singing, playing guitar and storytelling. Music is a universal language and students love learning through music! Music educators have known for years that quality music experiences enhances listening and aid leaning.
American Indian Women of the Colonial-Era Southwest
Jeffery Schulze, University of Texas at Dallas
Focusing primarily on the present‐day American Southwest (including Texas), this presentation will examine the status of American Indian women both within their own cultures and under the Spanish colonial and Mexican national governments. Special attention will be paid to sexuality and gender roles, marriage and family formation, and the Spanish colonial mission system.
From Spindletop to Fracking: Oil Impacts the Economy
Laura Ewing, Texas Council on Economic Education
Educators will learn how to access lessons that tie economics to Texas history! With the use of primary source documents, students will analyze the role of increased demand on entrepreneurship, prices and standard of living. Connections to the new oil boom in Texas caused by fracturing or fracking will be discussed and resources provided, as well!
Jeff Sellers, Bearing Tree Learning
Want to find an engaging way to teach Texas history, geography, and economics in your classroom? Visit this session and you’ll literally walk across Texas. Using our one of a kind
Texas floor maps, you’ll see how you and your students can explore Texas’s rich history, geography and culture in a fun, engaging, and hands-on way.
Lunch and visit with exhibitors (2.102)

2:00 p.m.
1.110
1.124
1.126
2.110
2.120
Breakout Session #4
No Stories in Ancient Texas: How Early People Lived Off the Land
Susan Dial & Laine Leibick, Texas Beyond History
Over thousands of years, early Texans lived off the land using ingenious strategies to adapt to diverse environmental challenges. Discover online, map-based resources, activities and lessons for teaching about Texas’ regions and people, from prehistoric “Iron Chefs” to coastal fishermen met by first explorers.
The Old 300, The First Anglo Colony in Texas
Judy Menasco & Betty Strauss, Descendants of Austin’s Old 300
Austin’s first colonists, known as the Old 300, constitutes a group of enterprising, preserving, and patient individuals. The 300, who settled Stephen F. Austin’s original colony, were the Texas equivalent of the Mayflower adventurers. These hardy colonists formed the foundation for a republic and then a state. Step back in time to find out who they were, why they left their homes, and the skills they brought to start the grand and glorious state of Texas.
Tejanos and Texas Prior to 1836
Raul Ramos, University of Houston
This session explores life on the Mexican frontier. How did Tejanos grapple with American immigration and indigenous migrations? The answers connect Texas history with the majority of school children today.
Connecting to the Capitol
Kyle Schlafer, State Capitol Visitors Center
Explore unique objects from the Capitol's history through a hands-on primary source activity.
Then discover how you can access and utilize digital resources to help your student's connect to their Capitol.
Explore the Power of Maps in Texas History
Tina Melcher, Director of the UTeach Liberal Arts Program and a Clinical Faculty Member &
Texas Alliance for Geographic Education
Maps are a powerful tool to give students a different perspective. In this session, see how students can use maps to be introduced and to explore the early history of Texas.

3:00 p.m. Breakout Session #5
1.110
1.124
1.126
2.110
2.120
Teaching the Process Skills through Genealogy
Cynthia Evans, Carver Genealogy Center, Courtney Webster, Region 13
In this session, teachers will learn how genealogy supports students in learning to research the history of people and how it connects to the broader historical narrative of Texas. One will walk away with a better understanding of the genealogy profession and research skills, as well as, how to spark a curiosity of social studies on a personal level for their students.
The Old 300, The First Anglo Colony in Texas
Judy Menasco & Betty Strauss, Descendants of Austin’s Old 300
Austin’s first colonists, known as the Old 300, constitutes a group of enterprising, preserving, and patient individuals. The 300, who settled Stephen F. Austin’s original colony, were the Texas equivalent of the Mayflower adventurers. These hardy colonists formed the foundation for a republic and then a state. Step back in time to find out who they were, why they left their homes, and the skills they brought to start the grand and glorious state of Texas.
Interpreting the Texas Revolution
Bruce Winders, Alamo Historian & Curator
There was much more to the Texas Revolution than Gonzales, the Alamo, and San Jacinto.
Come learn about the larger context for this important event that shaped the course of three nations.
Resources of the Dolph Briscoe Center
Margaret Schlankey, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
First Shot: The Battle of Gonzales
Glenda Gordon, Gonzales County Historical Commission
th
4:00 p.m. Reception, performance, visit with exhibitors, and door prizes (2.102)
Reserved Rooms at Thompson Center
1.110 – Auditorium – General Session + Breakout Session
1.124 – Breakout Session, holds 36
1.126 – Breakout Session, holds 30
2.102 – Exhibit Hall
2.110 – Breakout Session, holds 60-70
2.120 – Breakout Session, holds 60-70

Tuesday, August 11, 2015 – The Bullock Texas State History Museum
8:00 a.m. Check in (Austin Room)
8:30 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
Austin Room
Welcome & Announcements
Steve Cure, Texas State Historical Association
General Session
La Belle: The Ship that Changed History
Jim Bruseth, Texas Historical Commission
Presentation will discuss the discovery, excavation, and exhibition of the shipwreck La Belle, a
17th Century ship used by the French explorer La Salle to colonize the northern Gulf of Mexico in 1685.
10:00 a.m.
Austin Room
General Session
Artifacts! A Gateway to History
Richard Chatham, Art in History
11:30 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
Austin Room
2:00 p.m.
Austin Room
Bullock Texas
State History
Museum
Art In History creates artifact replicas from significant cultures and events in history. The
Artifact replica becomes a gateway into the culture and time period and provides purpose for the student’s investigation of the culture and time period. Participants will complete a replica
Scrimshaw Whale’s Tooth with a motif of the LaBelle to carry home with them.
Lunch (Austin Room)
General Session
Rethinking Texas’ Colonial Heritage
Frank de la Teja, Texas State University
Recent shifts in the discipline of history have led numerous historians of Texas’ past to reconsider the themes and emphases that are most appropriate to understanding the state’s history before Texas independence. This presentation discusses why these trends are important and need to be incorporated into the 4th and 7th grade classrooms, and beyond.
Breakout Session #6
*Choose to attend the Breakout Session or one (or more) of the Optional Tours and Activities
Texas History Resources, Texas State Historical Association
Tour of the Bullock Texas State History Museum and viewing of the films
The Star of Destiny and Shipwrecked (self-guided tour)
*Must have a Bullock sticker on your nametag for exhibit admission.
*The Star of Destiny and Shipwrecked films will be viewed in the Spirit Theater on the 2 nd floor of the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
Showtime’s:
1:30 – Shipwrecked
2:30 – Star of Destiny
Blanton Museum Tour of the Blanton Museum of Art (self-guided tour)
*Must have your conference nametag and you school ID for free admission
Texas General
Land Office
Tour of the Texas General Land Office (guided)
*Sign up for a tour time at the Conference registration table – limited number of tours are available. Guided tour is from 2:00 – 4:00.

3:00 p.m.
Austin Room
Bullock Texas
State History
Museum
Breakout Session #7
*Choose to attend the Breakout Session or one (or more) of the Optional Tours and Activities
National History Day in Texas, Texas State Historical Association
Tour of the Bullock Texas State History Museum and viewing of the films
The Star of Destiny and Shipwrecked (self-guided tour)
*Must have a Bullock sticker on your nametag for exhibit admission.
*The Star of Destiny and Shipwrecked films will be viewed in the Spirit Theater on the 2 nd floor of the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
Showtime’s:
3:00 – Shipwrecked
4:00 – Star of Destiny
4:30 – Shipwrecked
Blanton Museum Tour of the Blanton Museum of Art (self-guided tour)
*Must have your conference nametag and you school ID for free admission
Texas General
Land Office
Tour of the Texas General Land Office (guided)
*Sign up for a tour time at the Conference registration table – limited number of tours are available. Guided tour is from 2:00 – 4:00.
Color Code: Blue – Content, Yellow – Economics, Pink – Civics, Orange – Geography, Green – Resources
White – Skills & Misc.
Thank you to the following sponsors, donors, and vendors.
Conference Sponsors:
Texas State Historical Association
Region 13 Education Service Center
The Bullock Texas State History Museum
Descendants of Austin's Old 300
Session Sponsors:
The Portal to Texas History
Reception Sponsors:
Texas Council on Economic Education
Texas Historical Commission
Gonzalez County Historical Commission
Texas Capitol Visitors Center
Texas Government Land Office
Art in History
Vendors:
A Day in 1800s Texas
Art in History
Bearing Tree Learning
Caroline Crimm
Descendants of Austin’s Old 300
Gonzalez County Historical Commission
Humanities Texas
K.R. Wood, Texanna Records
Texas Capitol Visitors Center
Texas Government Land Office
Texas Historical Commission
The Portal to Texas History
Door Prize Donors:
Bearing Tree Learning
Gonzales County Historical Commission