Articles

In January and February, Humanities Texas held six workshops on the history of secession, the Civil War, and Reconstruction for social studies teachers throughout the state. In January, we sponsored workshops in Austin (January 20), Houston (January 21), and San Antonio (January 22) focusing on the sectional crises of the mid-nineteenth century, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. Earlier this month, Humanities Texas sponsored additional workshops in Waco (February 15), Fort Worth (February 16), and Dallas (February 17) covering these same topics. Photos from Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Waco follow. Photos from Fort Worth and Dallas workshops—along with a seventh workshop focusing on Texas history from Reconstruction to the present—will appear in next month's newsletter.


Austin

The Austin workshop was the first such program held in the historic Byrne-Reed House.

San Antonio

Our San Antonio workshop brought over fifty area teachers to G. W. Brackenridge High School.

Houston

The Houston workshop was held at The Heritage Society, a museum complex at Sam Houston Park.

Waco

Our February 15 workshop, hosted at Education Service Center Region 12, was the first teacher workshop we have held in Waco.


Faculty

Armando Alonzo

Dr. Armando Alonzo, associate professor of history at Texas A&M University, discussed the role of Tejanos during the Civil War at all six workshops. "This often overlooked piece and perspective of history will be a wonderful addition to the classroom narrative," said one teacher.

John Barr

Dr. John Barr, assistant professor of history at Lone Star College–Kingwood, discussed sectionalism and secession at the Waco workshop. Teachers found Barr, a former high school history teacher, "very easy to listen to and so knowledgeable on every subject."

Michael Les Benedict

Dr. Michael Les Benedict, professor emeritus of history at The Ohio State University, discussed Reconstruction. Teachers "loved his enthusiasm and passion for history" and appreciated the six discussion questions he proposed at the end of his presentation. Benedict participated in all six workshops.

Jacqueline Jones

Jacqueline Jones, Walter Prescott Webb Chair in History and Ideas and Mastin Gentry White Professor of Southern History at The University of Texas at Austin, discussed sectionalism and secession at the Austin workshop. She also signed copies of her book Saving Savannah: The City and the Civil War, 1854–1872, which was distributed to all teachers in attendance.

Patrick J. Kelly

Patrick J. Kelly, associate professor of history at The University of Texas at San Antonio, addressed teachers in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. Teachers found his lecture on Lincoln and the Civil War "focused, informative, funny, and knowledgeable."

Eric Walther

Eric Walther, associate professor of history at the University of Houston, discussed sectionalism and secession at the Houston, Fort Worth, and San Antonio workshops. Teachers "particularly enjoyed Dr. Walther’s breadth of knowledge coupled with his style of delivery."

Jennifer L. Weber

Jennifer L. Weber, assistant professor of history at the University of Kansas, discussed Lincoln and the Civil War at the Waco, Dallas, and Fort Worth workshops. Waco teachers called her presentation "very insightful and challenging."

Austin

Austin-area teachers gather at the entrance to the Byrne-Reed House.
Michael L. Klein, vice chair of the Humanities Texas board, addresses teachers in Austin.

San Antonio

Teachers who attended our San Antonio one-day workshop.

Houston

Teachers who attended our Houston workshop.
Julius Glickman, Humanities Texas past board chair, addresses Houston teachers.
Houston teachers participate in primary source workshops.

Waco

Teachers at our Waco one-day workshop.
Teachers take notes during a morning lecture in Waco.

Armando Alonzo

Armando Alonzo speaks in the Julius and Suzan Glickman Room.
Armando Alonzo discusses the role of Tejanos in the Civil War with two Austin-area teachers.
Armando Alonzo leads a primary source workshop in San Antonio.
Armando Alonzo leads a primary source workshop in Houston.
Armando Alonzo and Houston-area teachers discuss the letters of Confederate soldiers.
Armando Alonzo speaks in Waco.
Armando Alonzo leads a primary source workshop in Waco.

John Barr

John Barr speaks in Waco.
John Barr answers questions after a morning lecture in Waco.
John Barr leads a primary source workshop in Waco.

Michael Les Benedict

Michael Les Benedict addresses teachers in the Julius and Suzan Glickman Room.
Michael Les Benedict discusses Reconstruction with teachers in Austin.
Michael Les Benedict leads a primary source workshop in Austin.
Michael Les Benedict leads a primary source workshop in Houston.
Michael Les Benedict discusses the use of political cartoons in the classroom.
Michael Les Benedict speaks in Waco.
Michael Les Benedict leads a primary source workshop in Waco.
Michael Les Benedict answers teachers' questions in Waco.

Jacqueline Jones

Jacqueline Jones signs a copy of her book Saving Savannah: The City and the Civil War for a teacher in Austin.
Jacqueline Jones listens to teacher Ryan Davis of Lamar Middle School during a primary source workshop.
Jacqueline Jones and Austin-area teachers in the dining room of the Byrne-Reed House.
Jacqueline Jones speaks in Austin.

Patrick J. Kelly

Patrick J. Kelly speaks at Brackenridge High School in San Antonio.
Patrick J. Kelly leads a primary source workshop in San Antonio.
Patrick J. Kelly leads a primary source workshop in Houston.

Eric Walther

Eric Walther addresses teachers in San Antonio.
Eric Walther leads a primary source workshop in San Antonio.
Eric Walther speaks with teachers in Houston.
Eric Walther leads a primary source workshop in Houston.

Jennifer L. Weber

Jennifer L. Weber speaks in Waco.
Jennifer L. Weber listens to a teacher's question in Waco.
Jennifer L. Weber leads a primary source workshop in Waco.