Texas Archives Are Disappearing and UNT Wants to Help Save Yours

History is important.  As it has been said before, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Texas is a state full of history, with countless events spanning nearly 200 years.

Preserving that rich legacy matters. We all remember the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto because of history.

One of the pivotal moments in Texas history was the discovery of oil and the rise of boomtowns. The Space Race brought NASA to Texas, followed by the assassination of President Kennedy, and so much more.

We know the Texas timeline because history was preserved.

However, there are pieces of Texas history that still sit in archives, public libraries, closets, and basements across towns and cities throughout Texas. These pieces of history are being lost every day and need to be preserved.

The University of North Texas in Denton works hard to make sure that pieces of history like photographs, letters, publications, newspapers, videos, and more are preserved for future generations of Texans to know the histories of their cities, towns, and state.

Read More: Discover the Forgotten Navy of the Republic of Texas

How to Apply for the Rescuing Texas History Grant

If you have boxes, collections, or archives of historical information in storage, you can apply for a grant to help digitize these historical documents. Yes, the picture of your great-great-great-great-Aunt Edna as a baby is important. Your family lineage is important. Those letters from your great-grandfather to your grandmother during WWII are important. These family archives are important because they paint a picture of Texas history.

The Portal to Texas History holds over 2 million items available to Texans and people from all over the world to explore the history of Texas through photos, letters, maps, videos, newspapers, and more. Here's your chance to help expand it.

Read More: Explore The Fascinating Texas Ghost Towns Along Route 66

UNT is offering grants of $1,000 for digitization services to libraries, archives, museums, historical societies, private partners, and other groups that have cultural heritage materials.  The grant provides a service where these materials are scanned at UNT libraries and placed on The Portal to Texas History.

What is the Deadline for the Rescuing Texas Grant?

The deadline to apply for these grants is August 7, 2025. If you are interested in getting help with your historical archives, the time to apply is now. You can find the application here.

What Happens After You’re Approved?

According to the application, you will be required to do the following if you are chosen:

• Complete the partnership agreement
• Obtain permissions and copyright clearances if needed for your materials
• Carefully follow the instructions provided on the “Rescuing Texas History 2025” website
• Communicate your needs and concerns to UNT
• Deliver or ship your physical materials to UNT by the agreed upon date

Explore the Portal to Texas History

As mentioned above, history is important, and preserving it is a must. If you haven't had a chance to check out The Portal to Texas History, you are missing out on some amazing preserved history.