History Harvests

History Harvests

History Harvests are public, community-based events to which families may bring historic photos, letters, diaries, and other documents. Staff and volunteers from the sponsoring organizations will scan paper items onsite and immediately return the owner’s original materials, along with a free digital copy.

The sponsoring organizations also create and retain a digital copy in accordance with the owner’s approval. History Harvests create a community collection from the area’s families to document their local, regional, and national heritage. These community collections are made accessible to residents and the larger public online and through subsequent programming.

In addition, Texas-related films and videos could be dropped off at the event. The Texas Archive of the Moving Image digitized these materials in Austin and returned them by mail to the owners at no cost, along with a digital copy.

The first four History Harvest pilots were hosted in San Angelo, Brownsville, Lufkin, and Wichita Falls.

Wichita Falls

On August 4, 2018, Wichita Falls residents participated in the Wichita Falls History Harvest at the Wichita Falls Public Library. Sponsoring local organizations include the Wichita Falls Public Library, Moffett Library at Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls Museum of Art, Kemp Center for the Arts, Museum of North Texas History, Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture, and Wichita County Heritage Society. The Texas Archive of the Moving Image, in partnership with the Office of the Governor’s Texas Film Commission, and Humanities Texas also sponsored the event.

View a slideshow of photos from the event, as well as some of the photographs and documents brought in by community members.

Lufkin

East Texas residents participated in the Angelina History Harvest at the Museum of East Texas in Lufkin on September 16, 2017. Sponsoring local organizations include the Museum of East Texas, The History Center, Kurth Memorial Library, Angelina College, T. L. L. Temple Memorial Library, Texas Forestry Museum, Angelina County Historical Commission, and Angelina County Genealogical Society. The Texas Archive of the Moving Image, in partnership with the Office of the Governor’s Texas Film Commission, and Humanities Texas also sponsored the event.

View a slideshow of photos from the event, as well as some of the photographs and documents brought in by community members.

The Angelina County History Harvest was made possible in part by a Common Heritage grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Brownsville

On September 27, 2014, Rio Grande Valley residents participated in the Brownsville History Harvest at the Brownsville Public Library Central Branch. Sponsoring local organizations include Brownsville Public Library, The University of Texas at Brownsville Library, Brownsville Historical Association, Texas Southmost College, and Brownsville Independent School District. The Texas Archive of the Moving Image, in partnership with the Office of the Governor’s Texas Film Commission, and Humanities Texas also sponsored the event.

View a slideshow of photos from the event, as well as some of the photographs and documents brought in by community members.

San Angelo

On January 18, 2014, Concho Valley residents participated in the San Angelo History Harvest at the Stephens Central Library. Sponsoring local organizations include the Tom Green County Library, West Texas Collection at Angelo State University, San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, Fort Concho National Historic Landmark, San Angelo Genealogical and Historical Society, San Angelo Standard Times, and Region 15 Education Service Center. The Texas Archive of the Moving Image, in partnership with the Office of the Governor’s Texas Film Commission, and Humanities Texas also sponsored the event.

View a slideshow of photos from the event, as well as some of the photographs and documents brought in by community members.

East Texas settlers Ed and Martha Ann Loving sitting in their horse drawn buggy in Polk County, Texas, 1904. Photo courtesy of Martha Doggett Collection. Angelina County Community Collection, The History Center, Diboll.
Photo of the first air flight from Berry Field from Lufkin to Nacogdoches, April 27, 1929. Courtesy of Meredith Smith Collection. Angelina County Community Collection, The History Center, Diboll.
Lufkin High School. Courtesy of Beth Folsom Collection. Lufkin Community Collection, The History Center, Diboll.
Photos from Douglas Wise Partain’s tour in Europe during WWII, ca. 1943–1945. Courtesy of Roxi Crews Collection. Angelina County Community Collection, The History Center, Diboll.
Photo of Wichita Falls, 1885. Courtesy of David Flack Collection. Wichita Falls Community Collection, Moffett Library, Midwestern State University.