Historical Association

The Historical Association is an organization based in London, England which was founded in 1906. The goals of the Historical Association are to support "the study and enjoyment of history at all levels by creating an environment that promotes lifelong learning and provides for the evolving needs of people who share an interest in history." The Association's patron is Queen Elizabeth II.

The Historical Association was incorporated by Royal Charter in 2006 in its centenary year.

The HA is active in supporting the study and teaching of history at all levels. Membership is around 6000 – largely UK based with a strong following in UK secondary school history department.

In addition the Association has 58 branches through the UK who run a variety of events from historical talk to walks and visits. Branch associate members take the overall membership to about 8000.

The Association campaigns on their behalf and to ensure history continues to be taught and taught well at all phases of education. The Association is committed to its policy of embracing a broad church and encouraging the general interest in history and in our cultural heritage.

It publishes a journal called Primary History materials for teachers of teachers involved in primary education and a journal called Teaching History for secondary school history teachers as well as The Historian for a wider readership.

History

On January 5 1906 a group of history teachers and academics met in Central London to discuss the proposal from Miss M.A. Howard that they establish “an association to co-ordinate the efforts of all those working in England towards the improvement of history teaching in our schools.” The aims Miss Howard identified for such an association were to be: • A place for history teachers to get advice on syllabus, textbooks and method• A means of keeping teachers in school in touch with the work of the universities• A body to bring pressure to bear on educational authorities and examining bodies• A body to persuade publishers to bring out cheap editions of good books and illustrations for use in schools

The meeting agreed to act upon Miss Howard’s proposal and in closing the meeting Professor Pollard gave a wider remit for the new association: that history should be properly recognised by universities and that history should be properly taught in our schools.

This became the spark that formally founded the Historical Association on May 19 1906. The first published aims were:• The collection of information as to existing systems of historical teaching at home and abroad, by getting together printed books, pamphlets and other materials, and by correspondence• The distribution of information amongst the members of the Association as to methods of teaching and aids to teaching (viz. maps, illustrations, text books etc.)• The encouragement of local centres for the discussion of questions relative to the study and teaching of history• The representation on the needs and interests of the study of history and of the opinion of its teachers to governing bodies, government departments, and other authorities having control over education• Co-operation for common objects with the English Association, the Geographical Association, the Modern Language Association and the Classical Association

The Association’s aims have remained substantially unchanged and the aims stated in the HA’s Charter closely echo these sentiments. By 1917 the constitution was changed to incorporate this non-professional interest in the subject. Admission was “open to all persons interested in the study and teaching of history”.

The Association quickly grew in the post-War years and by the early 1950s had over 70 active branches and more than 8000 members.

Future

The Historical Association has committed itself to providing the best possible resources and support for history teachers in the United Kingdom as well as providing Online Continuing Professional Development courses on their website * [http://www.history.org.uk/ The Historical Association website] . The Historical Association's new online CPD units will be available as of summer 2008.

References

* [http://www.history.org.uk/ The Historical Association website]