What is local history?
"Local history reflects the reality that our lives are shaped by particular places. . . . [It] is the study of the everyday struggles and triumphs of ordinary people."
from "What is Local History?" by Katherine Buckingham, Ohio Local History Alliance
Useful External Links
These websites provide useful information to the local history researcher.
- Texas CollectionBaylor University’s Texas Collection is another great resource for local history information. Especially notable is that the collection has many, many of one of Waco’s best known and important photographers, Fred Gildersleeve.
- Waco HistoryWaco History is a free mobile app created by the Texas Collection and Baylor Institute for Oral History with information about people, places, and events in Waco’s history.
- Baylor Institute of Oral HistoryBUIOH contains transcripts and many digital recordings of interviews with a variety of people.
- Portal to Texas HistoryThe University of North Texas’ Portal to Texas History has digitized a large number of items about Texas history. Pertinent to local history is an ongoing project to digitize “The West News” and “McGregor Mirror”, both newspapers with information about those communities.
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How to Donate Materials
The Waco McLennan County Library welcomes donations of materials that enhance our local history collections. Because of space limitations we are not able to add every item donated to the collection. Please use the form below to provide information on what you would like to donate and our local history librarian will be in touch about the donation process.
