History at Home Approach
Explore your county's own history

Ever notice how everyone on the highway pauses to watch when a Model-T passes? The public's fascination with history is particularly strong when it involves their own backyard—like your county. Make County Government Week the time to capitalize on both the personal memories and the public records of your community—and celebrate it.

As custodians of public records, many county offices are treasure houses of historical documents. For example, the archives of the Bexar County Clerk has Davy Crockett's probated will. The bound volumes of deeds, lawsuits and other public activities reaching back to the nineteenth century can shed light on interesting facts about how your county became what it is today. Prepare copies of these priceless documents to give out at an Open House. This project explains in very obvious terms how county government functions.

Many communities have a core of people who work tirelessly to explore and preserve local history. Ask the local historical society (or library) to present a program at the courthouse; many groups are happy for the opportunity to be recognized. In addition, every county has senior citizens who saw their community's history with their own eyes. Bring our sometime-neglected forefathers (including retired county officials) into the spotlight by having a "storytelling" on the courthouse square. All you have to do is contact the retirement homes, furnish the rocking chairs and be prepared for astonishing—and sometimes touching—results.