Austin, TX - The Texas Historical Records Advisory Board (THRAB) has announced the opening of nominations for their 2024 archival awards. The awards aim to honor archival institutions, programs, and individuals in Texas for their contributions to the profession. Nominations are being accepted until June 20, with the recipients set to be revealed in October during Texas Archives Month.

According to THRAB, the awards are divided into three categories: excellence, advocacy, and distinguished service. The Archival Award of Excellence recognizes those who have made significant strides in preserving and enhancing access to historical records. Meanwhile, the Advocacy for Archives Award acknowledges those who have played a key role in ensuring the preservation and availability of Texas's historical records. Finally, the David B. Gracy II Distinguished Archival Service Award is presented to individuals or organizations that have shown exceptional leadership and service in the archival field in Texas.

Recent awardees of the Archival Award of Excellence include Robert Weaver of the Southwest Collection at Texas Tech University and the William J. Hill Texas Artisans and Artists Archive in Houston. In 2023, the David B. Gracy II Award for Distinguished Archival Service was bestowed upon Texas State Historian Monte L. Monroe, also affiliated with the Southwest Collection at Texas Tech.

The awards are made possible through funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). THRAB, which serves as an advisory body for historical records planning in Texas, is supported by the National Archives and Records Administration.

For more information about the nomination process and to access the nomination forms, interested parties can visit the official website at www.tsl.texas.gov/archivalaward.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission, which facilitates public access to information and preserves the archival record of Texas, supports the initiative. Additional information about their services can be found at www.tsl.texas.gov.