Geschichtsvereine

Geschichtsvereine (history associations) emerged at the provincial level during the 1^st half of the 19^th century, as "antiquity associations". They assumed various tasks, such as research into local history, the founding of museums, the publication of books about regional deeds and historical documents, academic journals and other printed material. Each province has a history association, which is an integral part of either the provincial archives (Vienna, Lower Austria, Styria, Carinthia) or the provincial museum (Vorarlberg, Tirol, Upper Austria). Some history associations also maintain institutions dedicated to issues of cultural history (Lower Austria). The associations have an overhead organisation, which has been organising meetings of historians since 1949 (1994: 20^th meeting in Bregenz). Historical facts about Austria are collected and made available by the "Institut für Österreichkunde", especially for secondary-school teachers. Additionally, there are regional history associations or organizations for special fields of history (numismatics, genealogy etc.).

Literature: E. Zöllner, Probleme und Aufgaben der österreichischen Geschichtsforschung. Selected essays, 1984; idem, Der Österreich-Begriff, Formen und Wandlungen in der Geschichte, 1988.