The Archives of the Big Bend at Sul Ross State University will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a community gathering next month aimed at honoring the region’s history and supporting its preservation for future generations.
The event, dubbed “The Shindig,” is scheduled for July 10 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Bryan Wildenthal Memorial Library in Alpine. The celebration is being hosted in partnership with Historic Alpine.
Organizers said the Archives of the Big Bend has spent the past five decades preserving photographs, letters, ranching records, military history documents and other materials that help tell the story of Far West Texas.
The event will feature conversation, light refreshments and opportunities for community members to learn more about the archives’ work and its role in safeguarding regional history.
Officials said attendees will also be able to support the Archives of the Big Bend Endowment, which helps fund the preservation of photographs, documents, oral histories and other historical materials. Contributions to the endowment are tax-deductible.
The Archives of the Big Bend was established in 1976 and serves as a repository for historical records documenting the people, communities and institutions of the Big Bend region.
Organizers said the anniversary event is intended both to celebrate the archives’ past accomplishments and to help ensure the preservation of Far West Texas history for the next 50 years.
Those interested in attending can RSVP by calling 432-837-8388 or contacting the archives through Sul Ross State University.
