Austin History Center

This beautiful, stately old building is the repository for evidence of old Austin. It’s not a place you’d plan to visit for exhibits, like the Bob Bullock museum or Harry Ransom Center over by UT. It’s where you’d go to research old phone books and photos and news clips and to get them copied. In other words, it’s a library.
I dropped in recently to look for information on the business my grandfather started in downtown Austin in the 1930s. I wanted addresses, dates, and most of all, photos.
The librarian had me sign in and leave my belongings in a locker, then gave me a form to fill out so she could look for whatever I needed. FYI they have an amazing collection of of phone books, when they were hard cover!
There were a number of people researching at the long wooden tables that seem straight out of the UT School of Architecture. It was a total retro experience.
I didn’t find everything I was hoping for, but I did find out that my grandfather’s old store is now an expensive steak restaurant. He would like that.
The librarian mentioned that they get their collections strictly from donations, so if you’re looking for something to do with those old photos of Austin people and places, this might be a worthy repository. They also take scanned copies.
Parking is by meter on the street, and it’s downtown, so you have to plan for logistics when visiting.

I visited to do some research on some of the history surrounding the Johnson Creek Trail area so I can’t speak to the quality of the exhibits. I had a couple stories that I needed some photos and details on. The staff was very helpful and pulled everything they could think of to help. Bringing cash is very good advice if you want to make copies of articles or buy reproductions of the photos. There are some real beauties in the bunch.
This place is quite an unknown gem with all of the effort and organization they bring to the history of Austin. It makes me happy that someone is keeping track of the past!

Not a destination in of itself. The SXSW exhibit was only about 3 stations. The Austin Civil War is a dozen photographs. Probably great for research or an event.

The Austin History Center has a very cool collection of black and white photos of Austin landmarks, city life and UT dating way back when. I just purchased an amazing photo of Barton Springs shot in the 1950s and another of the State Capitol workers standing by the Goddess before she was placed on top of the dome. (Dear heavens she is ugly). These photos and many others depicting historic sites like the Treaty Oak make great gifts framed or can dress up your own office or home.
Take cash, they are somewhat living in the dark ages and do not accept credit or debit cards. And, they are closed Thursday and Friday. Very helpful staff members will tote down anything you want from their massive collection.