Spring 2010 Newsletter
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About the Society … Many people tell us they just love history. So do we! Permian Historical Society is devoted to local and regional history because it is our heritage. The past allows the good life — economically, technologically, and socially — we live today. If for no other reason, these inheritances give sufficient cause for an appreciation of the people — their lives, hopes, and dreams — that created our history. Come help us preserve the Permian Basin’s past. Permian Historical Society was organized in 1958 as The Texas Permian Historical Society. Its purpose is to preserve the history of the Permian Basin of West Texas, which includes the counties of Andrews, Borden, Crane, Crockett, Culberson, Dawson, Ector, Gaines, Glasscock, Howard, Loving, Martin, Midland, Mitchell, Pecos, Regan, Reeves, Terrell, Upton, Ward, and Winkler. PHS also welcomed members from bordering counties — Coke, Irion, Jeff Davis, Schleicher, Scurry, Sterling, Tom Green, and Val Verde. In 1965 members voted to change the name of the organization by deleting Texas from the name to allow the inclusion of three counties of New Mexico — Eddy, Lea, and Chavez. Early in 1973, Permian Historical Society transferred its Permian Archives of 10,000 items, a collection created by members since 1958, to The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Headquarters for PHS were moved to the university as well. At the end of 1980, J. Conrad and Kathlyn Cosper Dunagan endowed PHS Fellowships by a gift of $100,000. Interest from the investments is used to provide support to UTPB graduate students working on theses in Permian Basin history.
Meetings … Permian Historical Society meets each April and October. Spring meetings are held in Midland or Odessa. Fall meetings are sponsored by members from various counties around the basin. The public is invited to all regular meetings and new members are welcomed. The only requirements of membership are an interest in Permian Basin history and the payment of dues. Dues are $25 per year for individuals and organizations, $30 for families, and $12 for students. Contact Treasurer Sherry Phillips at jfuzz2@sbcglobal.net for more information about dues or click on the Membership link in the News catagory to the right.
Publications … PHS publishes The Permian Historical Annual each year for distribution at the fall meeting. Articles consist of papers presented at meetings, as well as submittals from members and local or professional historians and writers. Personal reminiscences are part of each volume. Non-members may submit articles. All contributors need to follow the style sheet found on this site. Since Permian Historical Society is a volunteer organization, no monetary compensation is given for published articles. A series of Special Books is in the planning stages. These will be a combination of documented and oral histories.
Articles … This website will include a series of articles about life in the Permian Basin in earlier decades. Manuscripts may be sent to the editor at gradstudies@utpb.edu and should follow the style sheet found on this site. No monetary compensation is offered for articles.
Web content… Please email Les at les@cableone.net to provide content or comments on the web page.