Texas Authors Institute of History, Inc.
Founded in 2014 by the creative mind of B Alan Bourgeois the Texas Authors Institute of History is the first museum designed to support and save the history of a state’s authors group: Texas.
This is a unique approach of brining in the authors of the past 200 years and the authors of the present while at the same time inspiring authors of the future into one home.
In 2017, B Alan Bourgeois created the statewide Short Story contest for students in grades 6 – 12 to help inspire future generations of writers in many genres.
Our Mission
Through the process of saving the history of Texas Authors, TAIH’s goal is to give a space for education of the written word, while also providing a place for authors to be inspired.
Our Values
Through learning from the past of great writers, and some not so well-known authors, we can provide a safe space to grow and flourish in a non-judgmental space.
Our Solution
It is our goal to build a museum to house the millions of books written by Texas Authors, provide a get-a-way location that inspires authors, while also providing an educational service for future writers all in one campus that serves as a retreat and a museum.
2024 Board of Directors
B Alan Bourgeois
Becki Willis
Denise Bryson
Ernest Lee
Charlotte Canion
Denise Montgomery
Our Short History
In the spring of 2015, a visionary founder identified a significant gap in the preservation and promotion of Texas Authors' rich legacy. While smaller museums had emerged, each dedicated to specific genres authored by Texans—such as children's literature and Westerns—the broader tapestry of Texas's literary heritage remained largely uncollected, lacking both print and digital preservation.
Enter B Alan Bourgeois, who saw an opportunity not only to safeguard this heritage but also to redefine how Texas authors were acknowledged globally. Thus, the Texas Authors Institute of History, Inc. was born—a nonprofit organization with a dual mission: to chronicle the profound history of Texas authors and to empower present and future generations of literary talents.
However, this journey, once envisioned as straightforward, encountered unforeseen challenges. This section sheds light on the institute's accomplished objectives thus far while illuminating the adversities faced along the path. It's important to note that a more comprehensive history of TAIH is available on its website at http://TexasAuthors.Institute.
The institute's inception in 2015 held promise, buoyed by Bourgeois's close ties with the Texas author community. Establishing a website to showcase the myriad Texan authors and their works was a logical step. Yet, the real challenge lay in encouraging authors to submit their information—a task that proved to be the museum's most formidable hurdle, then and now.
Even today, the concept of receiving free marketing through the website remains unfamiliar to many Texas authors, often met with hesitation or indifference. The ongoing struggle persists to motivate approximately 77,000 authors to participate.
In 2017, the Lone Star Book Festival (LSBF) was conceived by Bourgeois, but its inaugural event in Dallas encountered obstacles, leading to its suspension. A rebranded festival emerged in 2019, embracing a multidisciplinary approach involving art, music, film, and authors. However, plans for the festival in 2020 and 2022 were thwarted by the pandemic, exacerbating challenges.
Also in 2017, Bourgeois secured recognition for TAIH through a Texas State House Resolution, with 34 Texas Authors attending the event at the State House of Representatives. A copy of the resolution is available on the group’s website.
By 2022, TAIH faced diminishing income sources, exacerbated by the pandemic's financial strain. Bourgeois's appeals for support went unanswered, resulting in the heartbreaking loss of storage units and a vast book collection amassed over the years.
Nevertheless, Bourgeois remains resolute in his commitment to TAIH's future. The website has expanded to feature over 1,000 authors and their works, yet many authors remain hesitant to contribute their information.
TAIH stands as a testament to authors' authentic narratives, bridging the gap between history and personal insight. The vision extends to a future physical museum, housing a diverse collection, offering writing classes, and serving as a hub for creators to thrive.
This journey continues, and your support is essential. Donations, both monetary and in-kind, are invaluable to TAIH's growth. Visit http://TexasAuthors.Institute to discover how you can play a vital role in preserving Texas Authors' legacy and nurturing future voices.
