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.
Registration and visit with exhibitors (2.102)
8: 30 a.m.
Welcome and Announcements
Steve Cure, Texas State Historical Association
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
9:45 a.m.
Breakout Session #1
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.
Princeton Williams, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
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available online primary source historical documents from the Archive of the Texas General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.
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.
John and Carol Potter
A Day in 1800s Texas
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.
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.
TBD
11:45 a.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.
TBD
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.
12:45 p.m.
Lunch and visit with exhibitors (2.102)
2:00 p.m.
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 in Texas
Raul Ramos, University of Houston
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.
Tina Melcher, Texas Alliance for Geographic Education
3:00 p.m.
Breakout Session #5
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.
Resources of the Dolph Briscoe Center
Margaret Schlankey, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
Bruce Winders, Alamo Historian & Curator
First Shot: The Battle of Gonzales
Glenda Gordon, Gonzales County Historical Commission
October 2, 2015 marks the 180th Celebration of the First Shot: Battle of Gonzales. New
research by James Woodrick will be presented regarding the battle, it’s locations, and its
cannons. A portion of the documentary, The Birth of Texas series, Washington on the
Brazos: The Politics of Revolution.
2.120
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.
Welcome & Announcements
Steve Cure, Texas State Historical Association
9:00 a.m.
General Session
Austin Room
The Discovery and Excavation of LaBelle
Jim Bruseth, Texas Historical Commission
10:00 a.m.
General Session
Austin Room
Artifacts! A Gateway to History
Richard Chatham, Art in History
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.
11:30 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
Austin Room
2:00 p.m.
Austin Room
Bullock Texas
State History
Museum
Blanton Museum
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 2nd floor
of the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
Showtime’s:
1:30 – Shipwrecked
2:30 – Star of Destiny
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.
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 2nd floor
of the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
Showtime’s:
3:00 – Shipwrecked
4:00 – Star of Destiny
4:30 – Shipwrecked
Tour of the Blanton Museum of Art (self-guided tour)
*Must have your conference nametag and you school ID for free admission
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.
Austin Room
Bullock Texas
State History
Museum
Blanton Museum
Texas General
Land Office
Color Code:
Blue – Content
Yellow – Economics
Pink – Civics
Orange – Geography
Green – Resources
White – Skills & Misc.