Why Join the Western History Association?

The Association encourages the study of the North American West in its broadest sense, promoting research, teaching, writing, publishing, and presentation of its history. Members include historians, writers, educators, museum professionals, and others interested in the peoples, places, and events that made the Wild West so fascinating in the last half of the nineteenth century—lawmen and outlaws, settlers, Indian nations, frontier towns, cattle drives, mining camps, saloons, and many other aspects of western history.

WHA members get discounts for conference registration and Under the Baobabs presentations, subscriptions to WHA publications (the World History Bulletin and the Western Historical Quarterly – digital only in USA but print in overseas memberships with postage payment) and the Association newsletter, and connection to a professional network of teachers, scholars, students, librarians, archivists, curators, collectors, publishers, editors, and other individuals and organizations devoted to the study of the West. WHA is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization.

An annual conference where teachers, scholars, and professionals share their research and exchange ideas that facilitate further study of the West. The association publishes an award-winning journal that employs rigorous peer review to identify, improve, and distribute original western history scholarship. It also promotes public education on the West by facilitating collaborations among educators, museums, governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private businesses.

WHA sponsors and co-sponsors a wide range of programs and initiatives to support the work of graduate students in the field of Western History. In addition, its Standing Committees are open to graduate student membership and several of its awards are offered to graduate students.

Founded in 1961, the Western History Association has met annually in a variety of western and eastern cities bringing together a diverse group of “buffs” and academic historians to discuss their interest in the North American West in its various aspects. The Association was founded to promote the research, teaching, writing, and preservation of the history of the West in its broadest sense.

Joining the WHA is simple! Simply select your membership level and pay online. Your membership will automatically renew each year unless you contact the WHA office to cancel it. If you prefer to receive your membership renewal notice by mail please contact the WHA office for instructions. You can also download a membership application here. One- or three-year membership terms are available. Membership auto-renews each year for your convenience.