The Benefits of Western History Association Membership

For over six decades the Western History Association has brought together teachers, academic historians, public historians, students, and enthusiasts to further study of the North American West in its many aspects and broadest sense. Today the WHA has over 4,000 members, including individuals and organizations in universities, museums, libraries, non profit agencies, and other institutions. The primary governing body of the WHA is the Council, which oversees the broad interests of the organization and creates policies that promote a congenial home for all who have an interest in the study of the West.

Each year the WHA holds an annual conference in cities across the United States. The conference provides a place for scholars to gather and share their research, learn about new developments in the field, and discuss how best to teach Western history. The conference also offers opportunities for teachers to meet with peers to discuss how to best incorporate the study of the West into their classrooms.

The WHA also publishes the Western Historical Quarterly, a peer-reviewed journal that accepts original articles on all aspects of western history, undefined expansion and colonization, indigenous histories (including those from western Canada and northern Mexico), and regional studies including transnational, comparative, and borderland histories. The editorial board of the WHQ strives to cultivate diverse scholarship and to foster an inclusive, interdisciplinary environment.

Membership in the WHA provides access to the journal, an online archive of conference papers, and several auxiliary groups, each of which has its own dues and benefits. Members may also choose to receive a hard copy of the WHQ and/or the conference program each year.

WHA members are also eligible for a number of awards, fellowships, and scholarships to support their research and teaching. Each year the WHA presents over 30 awards and honors to scholars, teachers, public historians, and graduate students. Visit the award page for more information including submission deadlines, committees, and past recipients.

The WRHS Genealogy Committee oversees the research and preservation of the Society’s archives. The Committee is comprised of volunteers from a variety of geographic and professional backgrounds, all with an interest in Western genealogical research. WRHS members are invited to join this group and are encouraged to contact the committee co-chairs for additional information.