About Us

AHC staff As the local history division of the Austin Public Library, the Austin History Center provides the public with information about the history, current events, and activities of Austin and Travis County. We collect and preserve information about local governments, businesses, residents, institutions, and neighborhoods so that generations to come will have access to our history.

Who We Are

We collect, preserve, and share materials that document the people, neighborhoods, institutions, and events that make up Austin and Travis County. The Austin History Center is the official archive for the City of Austin.
Expert staff support exhibits, programs, and research by the public in our Reading Room.
Our mission is to ensure that Austin’s history is preserved and available for generations to come.

An introduction to archives produced in-house by Austin History Center staff.

Expand all sections

Our History

The Austin History Center began in 1955 as a small local history file within the Austin Public Library.

Over time, community advocacy, staff leadership, and growing collections led to the creation of a dedicated history center. In 1983, the Austin-Travis County Collection officially became the Austin History Center.

Our Buildings

The Austin History Center was housed in Austin’s first permanent public library building, which opened in 1933.
The building is a Texas Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed using local materials and craftsmanship, it reflects the community effort that made the library possible.
The building was renovated in the early 1980s to support archival preservation and public access, while maintaining its historic character.
The Austin History Center is located in the revitalized 1979 John H. Faulk Building.

1955
The Austin-Travis County Collection is created as part of the Austin Public Library to preserve local history.

1960
The Niles-Graham-Pease family papers are donated, greatly expanding the size of the collection.

1979
The original 1933 Austin Public Library building became home to the growing local history collection.

1980
The Austin History Center Association is formed to support the creation of a permanent history center.

1983
The Austin-Travis County Collection officially becomes the Austin History Center and opens to the public.

1987
A photo reproduction lab is built to support preservation and access to photographic materials.

2000
Community Archivist positions are created to broaden collecting and representation.

2005
The Austin History Center celebrates its 50th anniversary.

2013
The historic building at 810 Guadalupe turns 80 years old.

2018
Collections and staff expand into additional space in the John Henry Faulk building.

2022
Interior and exterior renovations begin to preserve the historic buildings.

2025
The Austin History Center continues its long history of preserving Austin’s story with a move into the Faulk Building, opening a new chapter for its collections and community.

Copy link to section