President Birdwell, as mentioned before in the series, was a historian. In 1926, Birdwell and others established an East Texas Historical Association. The documents below are an interesting insight into their thinking in the 1920s and a foretaste of the thoughts expressed by Dr. Ralph Steen, F. I. Tucker, Lee Lawrence, Dr. C. K. Chamberlain, and other charter members in the 1960s when the ETHA was reestablished. The membership dues were $3.00; life memberships were $25.00. No doubt this is one of the reasons the association did not survive the Depression. The first association lasted for a few years and produced a very fine edition of a journal with the title: “SFA Bulletin No. 38, January, 1932. Historical Number. Containing the papers read at the Annual Meeting of the East Texas Historical Association, 1928-1931.” President Birdwell’s letter of 1934 states the expanded mission of the association rather well. - Jere Jackson

The Daily Sentinel, August 16, 1926

“East Texas Historical Association Named of Meeting Friday Night”

Rev. George L. Crocket ... was elected president of the newly formed East Texas Historical Association at a meeting of those interested, at the home of Professor W. F. Garner. ... Judge S. W. Blount of this city was made vice president. Miss Virdian Barham recording secretary, Miss Loulein Harris archive keeper and librarian, and W. F. Garner, corresponding secretary and treasurer. ... The publication of a magazine, annually at first, was also discussed. ... Birdwell made an inspiring talk on the need of an historical association.”

The Pine Log, August 21, 1926.

“WHY EAST TEXAS SHOULD HAVE AN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION”

“There are so many good reasons why East Texas should have an historical association that it is a wonder that one was not organized a hundred years ago.

“In the first place, there is here in East Texas, the richest field of historical information that can be found anywhere in the sate. ... A second reasons why, ... East Texas is the only section of the state that did not already have one. Mr. W[alter] P[rescott] Webb of the University of Texas informed those present at the meeting that West Texas had two... Austin [another] ... and South Texas [one] ... None of these associations have as rich a field to work in as the new organized East Texas Historical Association.”

“Then, lastly, we have organized an historical association in East Texas because we have such history students in our midst as Dr. Birdwell, Mr. Garner, Mr. Harling, Judge Blount, Dr. Crocket, and others. These leaders have had a vision of what can be accomplished in this section if all shoulders are put to the wheel, and they have offered their time to this great work. [Signed] J. C. Armstrong [Harrison County.]

The Pine Log, April 30, 1927

EAST TEXAS HISTORICAL ASS’N MEETS HERE FOR FIRST TIME

The East Texas Historical Association met in its first annual meeting in the auditorium of the Rusk building yesterday afternoon at 3 o’clock. The meeting was presided over by Dr. Crocket, the president. ... Professor Clark of the Sam Houston State Teachers College read a paper. ... Last night at seven there was a dinner at the Lockey Tea Room for about thirty visitors and others who were interested in the development of the study of East Texas and the preservation of the numerous documents of this section. ... After the dinner, the gathering adjourned to the Stone Fort ... After the visit to the Stone Fort, the Daughters of the American Revolution met with the association ... and heard [a] very interesting discussion on The Life of Stephen F. Austin by Professor E. C. Barker of the University of Texas. This lecture was of special interest, in that Dr. Barker has just written a very exhaustive study on this subject.”

The Pine Log, May 7, 1927.
Historical Assn. Effects Permanent Organization Here.

“At the business session of the association a constitution was adopted. It was decided the history departments of the three state teachers colleges are to be custodians of all historical material to be collected by the association.”

22 January 1934

Copy of a letter from Alton W. Birdwell to unknown recipient:

[University Archives]

My dear Friend:

In pursuing historical researches in the various parts of East Texas, much valuable assistance has been received from teachers in rural schools and from students in Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College. It is thought that very efficient aid would be rendered to the development of historical knowledge by enlisting the schools in a systematic effort to gather historical materials which are in danger of being entirely lost.

This can be best done by voluntary organizations, including teachers, pupils, and others. The effort should be to collect historical information and convey it to the colleges that sponsor the East Texas Historical Society. Such materials as accounts of old persons pertaining to former times, either of their own knowledge or consisting of stories and traditions which they may have in turn received from older persons, documentary material in the shape of old diaries, books, and newspaper clipping, would be valuable. These materials should then be placed in safe keeping at the institutions sponsoring the East Texas Historical Society, and be classified and annotated for use of future students of history.

In addition to this, the teachers and children of public schools, working with the people generally of their communities, would be able undoubtedly to locate places where Indian remains are abundant, and represent their discoveries to the colleges sponsoring the East Texas Historical Society. It is known now that East Texas is rich in such remains. A list of places already partially studied is attached to this letter [not]. To be sure, a complete study of historical remains would have to be placed in the hands of trained archaeologists. This service will be gladly rendered by the University of Texas.

I should be glad for you to give me reactions to the suggestions contained in this letter.

Very truly,

[signed] A. W. Birdwell