Native Texans and newcomers alike have an opportunity to learn more about our state’s history on Sept. 15.
Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and the Texas General Land Office (GLO) will host the Third Annual Save Texas History Symposium. This year’s presentation is “The Civil War in Texas: Death, Disease and Minié Balls.”
For those who were wondering, a minié ball is a rifle bullet with a conical head used in muzzle-loading firearms.
The symposium brings top scholars and history buffs together for a day of lectures, activities and discussions about Texas history.
Saturday morning starts with a presentation on “Texans in the Civil War” followed by “Union Plans for Texas” and “The Battle of Galveston.”
Speaker Don Frazier, professor of history at McMurry University and author of several books on the Civil War, will discuss the Union’s invasion plans – from the Red River Campaign to the crossing of the Sabine to blockading Texas ports.
Two break-out sessions follow lunch, genealogy workshop or hands-on pioneer surveying. Others may opt for the “Texas History Educators Workshop for 4th and 7th Grade Teachers” or a tour of the Texas State Cemetery.
The conference is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Thompson Conference Center, 2405 East Campus Drive, on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin.
Visit www.SaveTexasHistory.org to learn more.
