History has been an active part of McMurry University’s academic program ever since the institution’s first classes began in 1923.  Today, history continues to be made by a full-time staff of four who pride themselves on their professional accomplishments both within and outside the classroom.  The History Department’s resources are further enhanced by its association with the McWhiney Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to history education.  The Foundation specializes in the history of the Old South, Civil War, and Texas. It maintains an extensive collection of books and documents in those fields in the McMurry University library and publishes several outstanding titles in American history every year. It also owns the Buffalo Gap Historic Village, a unique site of historic buildings and artifacts a few miles south of Abilene. These resources together offer students educational opportunites for research and direct hands-on experience simply not available in most university history programs. The department also offers an undergraduate certificate in Public History and, through the Buffalo Gap Historic Village, sponsors a vintage 1880’s base ball (not baseball) team.