Texas’ Oldest Learned Society to Host 130th Annual Meeting in Irving Registration Closes Feb. 25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 13th, 2026

IRVING, TX, UNITED STATES, February 13, 2026 -- The Texas State Historical Association ( TSHA )—the state’s oldest learned society—is bringing its landmark 130th Annual Meeting to the Dallas-Fort Worth area this spring. The event will be held March 4–7 in Irving, Texas, marking a month-long countdown to the state’s premier gathering of historians, educators, and archivists. Online registration is currently open at am.tsha.events but will officially close on Wednesday, February 25. Attendees are encouraged to register promptly to secure access to sessions and special event tickets.

This year’s program features a diverse range of sessions covering every era of Texas history, complemented by multiple banquets and receptions designed for networking and celebration. Featured sessions include Key Moments in WWII and the Texans Who Were There, Evolving Research on Washington County Freedom Colonies, The Wild Country: Mesteñas and Fighting Bulls in Mexico and Texas, and Texas in the American Revolution. Other highlights include East Texas Oil History: From Spindletop to Kilgore, Traditions of Texas Trail Drivers and Beyond, and First Women of Texas: Trailblazing Pioneers. Attendees will also explore Texas identities through film, photography, and music in the session “Screw You, I’m Not From Texas,” alongside deep dives into archeology, the Texas Centennial, and the Medal of Honor’s legacy in the state.

A major highlight of this year’s meeting is the 130th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, March 6, at 6:00 PM. Sponsored by Ramona and Lee Bass, this ticketed, Old West saloon-themed party invites guests to dust off their boots for an evening of dinner, dancing, and Texas-sized fun. The celebration, brought to life by the legendary Silverado Ranch Entertainment, will feature immersive décor, casino-style gaming, and live music from the Cory Cross Band. The evening also includes the Annual Address from TSHA President Dr. Gene Preuss. Western attire is highly encouraged for this high-spirited milestone event, which offers a unique opportunity for members and friends to mingle and celebrate 130 years of Texas lore in true frontier fashion.

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Founded as a private, nonprofit educational organization on March 2, 1897, and housed at the University of Texas at Austin, Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) is reinforced by more than one hundred years of scholarship. Its mission is to further the appreciation, understanding, and teaching of the rich and unique history of Texas through research, writing, publication, and educational programs. For more information, please visit https://tshaonline.org.

Commemorating 250 years of American independence through the stories, people, and places that shaped Texas and the nation.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, Texans have a unique opportunity to reflect on the state’s role in the American story. Through exhibitions, programs, educational initiatives, and community events across Texas, Texas America250 encourages celebration, reflection, and commemoration at both local and statewide levels. At the Texas State Historical Association, we are proud to support this important moment through our mission-driven work in history education and public engagement, including Texas History Day, and we invite students, educators, and communities to explore this milestone in meaningful ways.

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On July 4, 2026, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the greatest nation in the history of the world. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Long may these ideals live in the heart of every Texan and every American. May God bless all who have defended our freedoms that we enjoy each day. And God bless the United States of America.

Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas

Texas’ Oldest Learned Society to Host 130th Annual Meeting in Irving Registration Closes Feb. 25

Commemorating 250 years of American independence through the stories, people, and places that shaped Texas and the nation.

Commemorating 250 years of American independence through the stories, people, and places that shaped Texas and the nation.

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