From the expansive gardens in the Palace of Versailles to the deep trenches dug during World War I, Tanner Small’s high school European history class transported him to countless historical sites around the world, but this summer, he’s learning from the history of the Texan county he calls home.
Small works as an intern for the Denton County Historical Commission (DCHC), which seeks to preserve the history of the county through research and other activities. He applied to the internship because it aligned with his interests at Trinity University, where he is pursuing a double major in history and anthropology and a minor in museum studies.
“The storytelling aspect, the diverse array of cultures, I find everything about the social sciences just simply fascinating,” Small says.
Working with local history has allowed him to understand the perspectives of the people who had lived there before.
Though each day looks a little different, his main tasks include organizing documents and other administrative work, as well as designing the website to make it more accessible and educational for the community.
One of Small’s most memorable days was when he visited Pilot Point, Texas, to help sort artifacts at a museum. Going through the material was fascinating for him.
“One person donated their father’s World War II records from when he flew over the Burma Road,” he says. “It was probably some of the best of local history you can find.”
Small finds this firsthand look into history invaluable. Majoring in anthropology has especially instilled in him an interest in material culture, the study of how physical objects and spaces reflect human societies.
What Small describes as “holding history in his hands” also gives him insight into what a profession working in a museum would look like, reaffirming it as a career he would enjoy.
“It’s definitely increased my passion,” Small says. “Knowing that I like what this profession entails outside of the academic setting has reinforced my interest in this career.”
Yet, his interest in a museum career extends beyond his fascination with historic materials—it’s driven by his belief that history remains relevant today.
“Whenever you see a major event going on, you always see a historian on the news to talk about how this plays into past events,” Small says. “I feel like that is an essential perspective to have that we cannot lose.”
Editor's Notes: In the above image, Small stands in front of the county courthouse where he works.