An Evening of Local Stories & Community Connections

Join us for an exclusive, after-hours look into the heart of Austin's memory.

In collaboration with the Austin History Center, we invite you to History Hour—an evening for history enthusiasts. Whether you are a lifelong Austinite or a newcomer looking to root yourself in our city's past, this event offers a rare glimpse into the restricted areas of the John H. Faulk Building.

Your Evening at a Glance:

Level 1: Discover & Connect. Enjoy light bites and sparkling water while networking and browsing the exhibit on display in the gallery, snag some swag, purchase books from our Waterloo Press collection: Local Stories by Local Authors, and grab a print of our limited-run, 1873 Aerial Map of Austin

Level 2: Choose Your Experience.

• Archives 101: A guided orientation in the Reading Room. Learn the foundations of researching and using the space as we showcase a variety of artifacts.
• Step Into History: A restricted-access guided tour of the 2nd and 3rd floors, including the archival stacks usually closed to the public.

These experiences are in a space containing rare, one-of-a-kind materials. Because these items are irreplaceable, we maintain a strict "preservation-first" environment: please leave food, drinks, and large bags outside. As this is a secure facility, participants must remain with the group throughout the experience. Thank you for respecting the archives and helping us keep these unique records safe.

Details:

• When: February 5th, 2026 | 5:15 PM – 7:00 PM
• Where: 800 Guadalupe St. (The John H. Faulk Building)
• RSVP: General Admission is open to all. Experiences are limited to 1 activity per timeslot and 12 people per activity. Please avoid double-booking activities in a timeslot and be sure to select 1 ticket per person. 1 ticket will not cover multiple people for an activity.
• Timeslots (5:30, 6:00, & 6:30) are designated on each activity ticket.