Local News
North Texas History Center presents lecture series with State Historian as first speaker July 17
By Barbara Cramer, North Texas History Center Public Relations & Marketing Specialist
Jul 7, 2009
McKINNEY, Texas (June 9, 2009) – Interesting inquiries about Texas and it’s people will be answered as Austin College History professor Dr. Light Cummins speaks at 7 p.m. Friday, July 17 at The Pantry Restaurant. Cummins, who was just named Texas State Historian, is the first speaker in a new lecture series presented by the North Texas History Center.
“My talk will include quirky politicians, flamboyant musicians, strident entrepreneurial businessmen, and a host of unusually distinctive people; they’re all Texans and hope to find what Texas is historically.” said Cummins.
Cummins plans to look at the historical roots of Texas uniqueness as seen in persons including among others, Stephen F. Austin, Bigfoot Wallace, Ma and Pa Ferguson, Pappy O'Daniel, LBJ, Selena, Leadbelly, and the Dallas Cowboys football team. He believes that Texans may have had a glorious history, but there might not be much of a future to Texas history.
“As someone who grew up outside of Texas, it is fascinating to hear Dr. Cummins’ talk about the many larger than life characters that Texas has. We are pleased to have such a wonderful historian and entertaining speaker present for us.” said Sarah Hatcher, Education Curator for NTHC.
The Pantry Restaurant is located at 214 E. Louisiana St. in downtown McKinney. This lecture series continues through October and tickets for each event, which benefits the North Texas History Center, are $25 for adults ($20 for members) and $15 for children. Purchase tickets in person at NTHC, via telephone at (972) 542-9457, or in the online gift shop at www.northtexashistorycenter.org.
About Light Cummins - Light Cummins is currently serving as the Texas State Historian. He is also the Guy M. Bryan Professor of American History at Austin College in Sherman, Texas, where he has been a member of the history department since 1978, having served as its chair for a number of years. He is also currently the director of the Center for Southwestern and Mexican Studies at Austin College. A native of San Antonio, he received a bachelor’s and master’s degree from what is now Texas State University, where he studied Texas history. After serving in the U.S. Air Force as an intelligence officer during the Vietnam era, he received a Ph.D. in History from Tulane University.
About the North Texas History Center - Since 1957, the Collin County Historical Society has been dedicated to preserving and collecting items related to North Texas history. In 1982, CCHS was able to expand its scope and began exhibiting North Texas history in its newly acquired museum. Today, the North Texas History Center shares local history with students from across North Texas, and with visitors from around the world.
Through its thoughtfully created interpretive exhibits, NTHC is fulfilling its goal to share history and help visitors of all ages make meaningful connections between the past and present. NTHC, located at 300 E. Virginia just east of the square in downtown McKinney, is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday thru Saturday. For additional information, contact the North Texas History Center at (972) 542-9457 or visit our website www.northtexashistorycenter.org.