Overview of the Collection
Austin History Center, Austin Public Library,
810 Guadalupe, PO BOX 2287, Austin, TX 78768
Lone Star Mensa
Lone Star Mensa Records
1967-1996
1967-1980
.2 linear feet (1 box)
Small collection of bulletins and membership lists that document the activities of Lone Star Mensa, the Central Texas chapter of American Mensa, Ltd, between 1967 and 1996.
AR.2004.006
The records are in English.
Administrative History
Lone Star Mensa (LSM) is a Local Group (chapter) of American Mensa, Ltd,(AML) that includes the metropolitan areas of Austin, TX; Waco, TX; Bryan/College Station, TX; and Temple/Belton, TX. Lone Star Mensa (as Austin Mensa) split off from North Texas Mensa in November 1967, initially having 22 members. Lone Star Mensa was recognized by AML on November 1, 1967 and the first general meeting was held on January 26, 1968, with an educational consultant who specialized in gifted students as the speaker. The group newsletter was originally called
SPASM but by the end of 1968 "SPASM" dropped from the title block and the newsletter was titled :A.M. The Voice of Austin Mensa. In 1974-1975 the newsletter changed names again, first to A.M./SCAMP and then to The Armadillo Literary Gazette and Southern Intelligencer, which over time has been shortened to Armadillo Literary Gazette. During the 1980's the group's name was changed from Austin Mensa to Lonestar Mensa and then in 2010 it was changed again to Lone Star Mensa. Speakers at LSM meetings have included Madeline Murray O'Hair, John Henry Faulk, Dr. Hans Mark, and Molly Ivins. Lone Star Mensa held a Mensa Colloquium (titled Science and Society: Our Critical Challenges) in October of 1988, and held its first Regional Gathering in October of 1999.
SOURCE: American Mensa, Ltd website
http://previous.us.mensa.org/local_groups/local_groups.php?group=786
Accessed 2010 June 21
Scope and Contents
Included in the collection is the "Mensa Bulletin" that appears to have been distributed in 1967 before the group was officially organized. The "Mensa Bulletin" reported on the conversations that took place on Monday nights at the Iron Gate Club at 11th Street and Trinity in Austin. Also included in the collection are membership lists from 1968, 1969, 1976 and 1980, as well assorted correspondence (1969, 1976, 1996).
Arrangement
Arranged by material type.
Related Material
Issues of organization's various newsletters are cataloged in the Periodical Collection.
Index Terms
This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
Persons:
Anderson, Paul J.
Organizations:
Austin Mensa.
Lone Star Mensa.
Lonestar Mensa.
Places:
Austin (Tex.)
Subjects:
Clubs--Texas--Austin.
Restrictions on Access
Open to all users.
Restrictions on Use
None.
Custodial History
Donated by a member of Lone Star Mensa.
Preferred Citation
Lone Star Mensa Records (AR.2004.006). Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, Texas.
Acquisition Information
Donor #: DO/2004/017
Donation Date: 2002
Processing Information
Finding aid created and encoded by Molly Hults/2010. Updated 2011.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Lone Star Mensa Records,
1967-1996
1
1
"Mensa Bulletin",
1967, undated
1
3
Membership lists,
1968-1980
1
4
Assorted documents,
1969, 1976, 1996