Organized in Austin on March 2, 1897, the founders of TSHA brought lay and professional historians together to document and celebrate the state’s complex and diverse history. Today, TSHA follows the path laid out by its founders, sharing Texas history with individuals across the state, nation, and globe.

TSHA focuses on two major service areas: education programs and historical publications. These services primarily benefit students and adults throughout Texas, although individuals from across the globe access TSHA's online publications. Available at no cost to its users, the Association's most widely used publication is the Handbook of Texas. TSHA also operates a highly respected press that publishes the Southwestern Historical Quarterly journal and numerous books on Texas history, such as the biennial Texas Almanac.

In addition to its publications, TSHA organizes the annual Texas History Day competition, a statewide historical research contest and yearlong curriculum for middle and high school students. Students learn critical thinking, teamwork, and presentation skills throughout the program. This year, thousands of students participated in the History Day curriculum across the state. Other education programs include Junior Historians and Webb Society clubs for students in middle school, high school, and college and webinar trainings for teachers across the state.

TSHA also hosts its Annual Meeting in various locations throughout Texas. The three-day conference offers scholars, students, teachers, and history enthusiasts an opportunity to discover the latest developments in Texas history research.