Event:Wikicurious – The History of Austin, Texas

About the event

Wikicurious – The History of Austin, Texas is happening on Monday, March 9 from 1pm - 5pm and is hosted by Wikimedia NYC and the Austin Public Library (APL) - Central Library. This community editing event during SXSW EDU invites Wikipedia editors and newcomers alike to learn, collaborate, and improve articles related to the history of Austin, Texas. Participants will explore local history through open knowledge, contribute to Wikipedia, and share editing skills in a welcoming, hands-on environment.

Experts from the Austin History Center will speak about archiving, how to make research requests, bring some local artifacts, and highlight stories from Austin's history. Local group Austin Typewriters Ink. will bring vintage typewriters for guests to tinker with and share historical knowledge about why these machines should be preserved.

This event falls within Wikipedia's 25th anniversary and APL's Centennial Celebrations.

About Wikicurious

Wikicurious is a beginner-level series that trains participants how to edit and participate on Wikimedia wikis and sites. Wikicurious started in 2024 with events throughout NYC and has since expanded nationally. Wikicurious is supported by Craig Newmark Philanthropies.

About Wikimedia NYC

Founded in 2009, Wikimedia NYC is one of two U.S. Wikimedia affiliate chapters of the Wikimedia Foundation. We help promote free access to the world's knowledge in support of Wikipedia and the other projects of the Wikimedia Foundation.

Registration and Instructions

Register here AND on our Eventbrite page.

This will help us communicate any important event updates, and reflect the impact of the edits that you make during this event. Food and drinks will be provided.

Please bring a laptop; we will have a limited number available for those who need it.

Attendees must have a Wikipedia account to edit pages, please create your account here (in the top right corner) before the event. Wikipedia usernames are public. You do not have to use your real name, it is recommended to use a pseudonym or nickname for your username.

All attendees are subject to Wikimedia NYC's Code of Conduct.

Date: Monday, March 9, 2026
Time: 1pm - 5pm
Location: Austin Public Library: Central Library
- 710 W. César Chávez St., Austin, TX.

For further questions, please contact info[at]wikimedianyc.org.

Agenda

1pm - Doors open; guest arrive, check-in, grab food, network
1:20 pm - Program Begins, welcome from Wikimedia NYC (Pacita Rudder) and the Austin Central Library (Maddy Newquist and Bryana Salcedo)
1:25 pm - Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons 101, Pacita Rudder and Richard Knipel
2:20 pm - Austin History Center, Jennifer Hecker & Austin History Center Association, Adam Powell
2:50 pm - Austin Typewriter, Ink., Everett Henderson
3:05 pm - Edit-a-thon
4:50 pm - Share outs, Prizes, Close by 5pm

OPTIONAL: WikiHaus Meetup, hosted by WikiPortraits and Wikicurious at the Graeber Historic Mansion on Sixth Street.

6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
RSVP for the Meetup here.

Work List

If you need ideas of what to edit, feel free to pull inspiration from this list.

Resources

Stay Connected

Subscribe to the Wikicurious newsletter (monthly)
Apply for WikiPortraits Wikipedia Immersive Training Course
Follow @WikimediaNYC on social media