News
Institute of Texan Cultures News
Martin Records and the Multi-Ethnic Roots of Texas Music
In the 1940s independent record labels began to pop up throughout Texas. One of these small labels was Martin Records, established in 1947. Martin holds the distinction of being the first independent label to document Polka music in Texas.
The Top Shelf Blog
Bugs! IPM practices at UTSA Special Collections
Heat, humidity, and insects define the summer season in San Antonio, Texas. This is a sad reality for archivists and anyone seeking to preserve paper and film-based collections in a state that, in the words of an anonymous quip, “has four seasons: almost summer, summer, still summer, and Christmas.” Air conditioners and dehumidifiers answer the […]
Libraries & Museums News
UTSA Libraries Exceed Expectations in 2025 LibQUAL+ Survey
This past spring, UTSA Libraries conducted LibQUAL+, a nationally recognized survey to assess library services at UTSA, and a record number of students, faculty, and staff provided feedback, giving high rating to library services across all campuses.
Institute of Texan Cultures News
Be Part of the Excitement – And the Exhibit!
The Institute of Texan Cultures is reopening in a big way at our new temporary location in Frost Tower. Slated to open to the public in early 2026, we want YOU to join the celebration.
Institute of Texan Cultures News
A Fresh Look for the ITC: New Website Launching This August
Big things are happening at the Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC), and it all starts online. ITC web designers are laying out the new webpages.
Institute of Texan Cultures News
New Home, Same Heart: A New Era for the ITC Begins
Construction is underway at the ITC’s new place in Frost Tower. Over the past year, there’s been a flurry of activity behind the scenes as we prepare to reopen the Institute of Texan Cultures at our new home: the iconic Frost Tower in downtown San Antonio. This fall, we’ll host some previews as we prepare to open to the general public in early 2026.
Institute of Texan Cultures News
Behind the Magic:
Summer in Texas draws families looking for excitement, and from the 1960s to the late 1980s, that meant road trips to the state’s famous theme parks: Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, the beloved AstroWorld and WaterWorld in Houston.
Institute of Texan Cultures News
Reviving the Land:
Texans have cultivated the land for generations, engaging in subsistence farming and growing cash crops for their livelihood. As spring arrives, Texas farmers gear up to harvest specific crops and sow seeds for a fall yield.
Institute of Texan Cultures News
Texas is in Full Bloom with a Sea of Colorful Wildflowers
A sure sight on any springtime road trip is a field full of Texas bluebonnets stretching toward the horizon, sprinkled with white, pink, yellow, and orange wildflowers. Families trek to Hill Country fields to snap portraits among the blooms, a seasonal tradition as Texan as a bowl of chili or the Alamo itself.
Institute of Texan Cultures News
Spring Break road trip uncovers history and culture on Highway 87
In 1979, Terry Allen wrote, “As close as I’ll ever get to heaven is making speed up Ol’ 87.” I’ve been traveling up Highway 87 since my family bought property in Mason County in the early 1990s. Despite making this trip often, I’ve never taken the time to explore Fredericksburg and Mason.
Libraries & Museums News
Shape the Future of UTSA Libraries: Share Your Feedback and Win Big!
From March 17 to April 11, UTSA students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to participate in the biannual LibQUAL+ survey, offering an opportunity to share valuable feedback on the UTSA Libraries' services.
Institute of Texan Cultures News
Texas Chili
What’s the real story behind our iconic state dish? The debate over what truly belongs in a bowl of Texas chili may never be settled, but its rich history is filled with fascinating stories. Chili’s evolution is as complex and layered as the dish itself: a blend of cultural fusion, entrepreneurial ingenuity, necessity, and a passion for great flavor.