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The first meeting of what was to become the Western History Association was held in Santa Fe, New Mexico in October 1961. The meeting was organized by a small group of history "buffs' and academic historians. Since then, the organization has met annually in a wide range of western, and sometimes eastern, cities bringing together a diverse group of western writers, academic historians, public historians, and enthusiasts. Click here to see a table of conference sites. Since 1961 the WHA has grown dramatically in size and its publications have become the most prestigious in the field.
In 2006, the Western History Association Papers were archived at the St. Louis Mercantile Library. This venerable institution was founded in 1846 and is the oldest library west of the Mississippi River. The Mercantile Library is now located on the campus of the University of Missouri - St. Louis.
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To see the finding aid, click image or this text link for The WHA Papers. |
"Its purpose shall be to promote the study of the North American West in its varied aspects and broadest sense."
Rodman W. Paul
WHA President, 1977
The WHA is governed by its members who elect a president, president-elect, council and nominating committee. The latter consists of five members, each serving a two-year term. The council consists of the president, president-elect, executive director, six regularly elected members (serving three year terms), and past presidents and executive directors during the two years succeeding their terms of office.
Annual membership in the association is open to any person with an interest in the American West. Institutions may become sponsoring members and have their names appear in the publications of the association. All members receive the Western Historical Quarterly, semiannual issues of the WHA Newsletter, a conference program and registration information, and quarterly issues of Montana: The Magazine of Western History. Joint members receive one set of publications, two conference programs and two ballots for elections. Patron, Donor, and Sponsoring members are recognized in print in WHA publications.
