The Austin Branch History and Heritage committee was formed in 1987.  The Committee purpose to conduct programs relating to the history and heritage of the profession and promote local national programs to create public and member understanding of civil engineering.  The Austin branch History and Heritage Committee activities include:

1. Serving as an active member of the Texas Section History and Heritage Committee.  One of the activities that the branch is providing assistance to the Texas Section committee is the update of the Texas Section History.

2. The History and Heritage Committee collects items of historical interest such as records, plans photographs, journals, diaries, correspondence, personal papers and artifacts that are either relevant to the history of civil engineering in Texas or that are contemporary to earlier periods of history with summary reports, photographs or slides for the records of the Section office.

3. The committee also maintains a history of the Austin Branch. 

4. The committee encourages and provides articles on varying subjects on the history of the civil engineering.  These subjects varying from history of the local branch, biographies of members, events in history, historical landmarks and other general history.  These articles are published in the Austin branch newsletters, other branch newsletters and the Texas Civil Engineer. 

5. The committee also prepares proposals to dedicate Texas and/or National Civil Engineering Landmarks.  Currently the Austin branch has dedicated two Texas Civil Engineering Landmarks. 

6. Members of the committee also serve as a resource for materials on civil engineering history.  You can find links to online resources and other History and Heritage committees here.

If you are interested in any of the activities listed above or other supporting activities please contact the chair of the History and Heritage committee, or any Austin Branch officer.

The committee hopes to expand its activities as the History and Heritage committee membership increases.  Remember that “Civil engineering has shaped the history of our nation and every community within it.”  It is important to “enhance the knowledge and appreciation of our history and heritage.”