Historical Association - History

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 Historical Association’s Charter closely echo these sentiments.

By 1917 the constitution was changed to incorporate 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.

The Association expressed concerns of lack of history educations to students.