Bob Howard wants to wish y'all a Happy Holiday Season! 

Come visit his home next year on June 13 & 14 for Howard Days with all his extended family who will be there!

 

Robert E. Howard Days 2025 is June 13th & 14th!

As the snow flies across the land here in early December, it's time to look ahead six months to the warmer climes of Texas in June - and ROBERT E. HOWARD DAYS!

Start making your plans to join us on June 13th & 14th at the Robert E. Howard Museum in Cross Plains, Texas, for The Best Two Days in Howard Fandom. And we guarantee there will be no snow!

In 2025, we will be celebrating 100 Years of REH Publishing! In 1925, the Howard story SPEAR and FANG appeared in the July issue of Weird Tales, marking Bob's true entry into the world of professional writing. How great is it that here, 100 years later, Howard's stories are still alive, being published and enjoyed by new and old readers alike? And fans from all around the world continue to support the Legacy of his life and work.

While we are working out the specific details of Howard Days 2025 (like Guest of Honor, panel tracks, etc.), rest assured all the "regular" activities will take place. Those include: the REH Museum, Grounds and Pavilion open for all to enjoy, Tours of the house & grounds, a Bus Tour and a Walking Tour of Cross Plains, panel discussions, a Celebration Banquet, the Silent Auction, an al fresco Dealer's Area, a Souvenir Postal Cancellation Stamp, original REH manuscripts on display, REH/Conan, gaming, Poetry readings, a Hot Dog Lunch, a BBQ Dinner, plus more!

And best of all, you be in the company of your fellow Fans of Robert E. Howard and all his marvelous, iconic and innovative literary creations. We come together in a family reunion atmosphere to honor and support the Legacy of Bob Howard. Enjoy the Fellowship that is Howard Days as we celebrate 100 Years of Bob Howard's Writing!

Six months to go! It's never too early to start your plans and come to Texas! We'll see you there!

Howard Days 2024 - It Came and Went So Quickly!

 Much to my chagrin, I found that this now six months late post was hung up as a draft. So, read about what you missed last June as we get ready to start the Howard Days engine up once again.

HOWARD DAYS will be June 13-14, 2025.

Another Howard Days is over. To those of us who made the journey to Cross Plains, Texas this year to celebrate the Life and Work of Robert E. Howard at the Museum in his name, it was quite the trip!

Without a doubt, the single biggest event of the two-day extravaganza was the installation of Bob Howard's Writing Table back into the room where it belonged. We owe a debt of gratitude to Paul Herman of the REH Foundation for his relentless, tireless work in retrieving this holy grail artifact in the world of REH. Years of research, phone calls, emails, travels and plain ol' pestering got the job done! 

The table was brought into the Museum on the Thursday afternoon before the "official" start of Howard Days. It had been restored to its former height by extending the legs and refurbishing them with a laminate. However, the top was not re-done; the tiger oak finish was waxed and buffed, but the worn down areas (we like to think by Bob leaning his arms on it) remain. When viewed, an appreciation for its sturdiness is evident; one can almost hear the heavy clack of Bob's Underwood No.5 typewriter echoing off the table's surface! If only this table could speak!

Howard Days 2024 was moved back to the traditional dates of the second weekend in June. We found that this time is more accommodating for attendance by educators and students. In spite of blistering heat and Texas-sized mosquitoes, the attendance number was up considerably from the late April date of 2023.

Speaking of which, the numbers for 2024 were up considerably, with nearly 300 people who signed the registry book out front. Factoring in the folks who didn't sign in, Howard Days 2024 was one of the best attended in recent years. There were 52 from 21 states not named Texas, 228 Texans and 7 from overseas (France, England, Ireland and Norway). There were over 245 items in the Silent Auction, which raised a considerable sum for Project Pride. Donations were particularly healthy as well, enabling Project Pride to continue the year long maintenance of the REH Museum.

The Museum itself shone like a beacon in the Texas sun, proving the old adage "If you restore it, they will come." Folks to whom we spoke over the weekend were mightily impressed at the entire venue of the REH Museum. Over a third of the Banquet attendees held up their hand when asked, "Who's here for the first time?" They remarked on numerous occasions  to this reporter that they had learned a considerable amount about Robert E. Howard over the course of the weekend.

The Pavilion was constantly full of fans enjoying Howard Fellowship. The Hot Dog Lunch on Friday was so popular that the hot dogs ran out! There were 8 tables set up for REH Days dealers in the surrounding yard, highlighted by the Robert E. Howard Foundation Press. The REHFP was selling the ever-dwindling amount of first edition Howard books along with the newer (and most welcomed) reprint editions. And speaking of dealings, the Gift Shop in the Museum was darn near depleted of everything by Saturday afternoon!

The Tours for the weekend went off in fine order. Mark Finn and Rob Roehm took over the Bus Tour of Cross Plains and surrounding areas on Friday; Jack Baum and Rob led an informative Walking Tour of downtown Cross Plains; Paul Herman and Bill Cavalier took folks around the grounds of the Museum to the rear of the house, where Jeff Shanks explained the 2018 archeological dig in the back yard.

The Cross Plains Review once again opened their doors for a viewing of a vintage newspaper printing press room where Howard once worked and provided some excellent Cross Plains/REH souvenirs. Of particular note was a display of what could be Bob Howard's boxing gloves, along with some original photos of REH and his friends.

The Cross Plains Library provided visitors with a wonderful display of original Howard typescripts along with their collection of 1920's & 30's pulp magazines containing Howard stories. Both days there also featured a session of the Conan role-playing game led by Jeb Boyt.

Over at the Cross Plains Post Office, a special cancellation stamp commemorating the newly acquired Howard Writing Table was available, exclusive to Howard Days attendees.

The panels presented this year were loosely based on REH in 1934. Guest of Honor Rob Roehm presented a fine talk about his Travels with Bob. Howard's life and work in 1934 was discussed; the Glenn Lord Symposium presented four papers; an engaging talk about Bob's relationship with and influence of Novalyne Price took place; REH in Pop Culture was extremely informative and the Breckinridge Elkins/El Borak panel entertained all. A number of folks we spoke with were very impressed with the quality of the panels and they were all interesting, informative and very spirited! For certain, each panel turned out to be standing room only, which is 75+! And the Fists at the Icehouse panel worked very well as Fists in the Porchlight.

Friday night's Celebration Banquet was moved back to the Cross Plains Community Center. Project Pride was able to keep the table seating at 150, but as the CC was filled up, they moved the Silent Auction next door to the American Legion Hall. This was a good move, as the nearly 250 items filled 6 rows of tables with a myriad of REH books, magazines, fanzines, paperbacks, comics, original and print art and even laser etched glass and wood. The diversity of items provided for spirited bidding and greatly helped Project Pride with their year-long maintenance of the REH Museum.

Guest of Honor Rob Roehm spoke quite humbly about his Travels with Bob. His passion for research and travel has combined quite nicely over the last two decades in his quest for knowledge about Robert E. Howard. Rob took it upon himself to drive to each and every town REH ever mentioned visiting in search of information about Howard and his family. This includes Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas and Missouri, plus Mexico!

Howard Days 2025 was also graced with other notable REH guests: Jim Zub, the current writer of Titan Comics CONAN THE BARBARIAN comic book was on hand. Charles Hoffman, author of the seminal essay that kicked off Howard scholarship, Conan the Existentialist, was present to celebrate the 50th anniversary of said piece. Authors John C. Hocking and Howard Andrew Jones made the journey to Cross Plains, as did Michael Scott Myers, student of Novalyne Price Ellis and screenwriter for The Whole Wide World, her book detailing her relationship with bob Howard. And Shawn Curley from Heroic Signatures was on hand to video panels and interviews for his You Tube Conan the Barbarian podcast.

However, the one person most missed at Howard Days this year was Rusty Burke. Our dear friend suffered an injury in December of 2023 that has temporarily taken him out of action. As the Founder of Howard Days, his absence was keenly felt. We called him during Howard Days and his voice was strong as he sent along his love to everyone. Hearing how much he missed being at Howard Days put a bittersweet emotion on the weekend but we know he'll be back to Howard Days in 2025.

The Saturday BBQ dinner was served up as a fundraiser for the Cross Plains Library that packed the Pavilion and the donation jar. And the bittersweetness of Porch Light Poetry (this year presented in the shade outside of Bob's room) as the last function of Howard Days brought this year's event to a satisfying close

And for right now, Howard Days 2025 will be held on the traditional second full weekend in June, so out tentative date for next year is the weekend of June 13-14. But stay tuned for an announcement later in the year. And then you can make plans for joining us in Cross Plains where we once again celebrate the Legacy Life and Work of Robert E. Howard

June 11th, 1936

As we recover from our trip to an incredibly good Howard Days (and will be filing a report post haste), we are reminded of today's infamous date in Howard History.

Bob Howard died on June 11th, 1936, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Accounts of this tragedy can be found elsewhere.

Here, we have just finished a fine few days of celebrating his life at his restored home in Cross Plains, Texas. Howard Days 2024 was a smash hit with all who attended! The nearly 300 people who attended this year talked about his life and works in panels, while eating hot dogs or chicken fried steak or brisket, sitting under the Pavilion, reading his poetry aloud right outside the room where he wrote it (on his newly acquired original writing table) or while hoisting a drink to his shade under the crescent moon that rose each evening.

Ol' Two-Gun was looking upon us, I'm sure - maybe even wondering what the fuss was all about. He must have cracked a grin when he heard why so many folks made a concerted effort to be at his home, honoring his legacy.

Like we do at any family reunion, we have stories of our departed relatives. We can be grateful that Robert E. Howard left all of us with so many stories.

Thanks, Bob.

See You at Howard Days!

Robert E. Howard Days at the REH Museum in Cross Plains, Texas, will kick off for a brief time on this coming Thursday, June 6th, when Bob Howard's Writing Table will be introduced to the world, back home where it belongs! Then on Friday and Saturday, June 7th & 8th, The Best Two Days in Howard Fandom will be presented for all to enjoy!

Your intrepid reporter will be away from this website for the next 10 days, as the vacation trek to Texas lies ahead. But all the info you need about Howard Days is here and Cross Plains is all ready for Howard Fans from all over the world!

We will be posting updates and photos over on the Howard Days Facebook page, so look there for up to the minute info. We'll post as much as we can during Howard Days, but what a busy time that is!

We hope to see y'all there! And if the mood strikes, drop everything and Come to Texas! We'll be looking for you!

Robert E. Howard Days is Next Week!

Thanks go out to Mr. Jason Hardy for this great poster!

After over a year's wait, Howard Days is back once again next week! We hope you can join us at the REH Museum in Cross Plains, Texas, on June 7th & 8th (and maybe squeeze in June 6th as well) for The Best Two Days in Howard Fandom!

Project Pride of Cross Plains is the community organization that organizes Howard Days every year. They maintain the House and grounds and give tours by appointment all year long, but Howard Days is the big event that keeps them charged up! And it makes a visit to Cross Plains ever so enjoyable!

Arlene Stephenson, President of Project Pride, told us today that the House is all ready to welcome visitors from all over the world. Staale Gismervik and his wife will be here from Norway, Terry and Kay Allen are popping over from the UK and Patrice Louinet will be stateside from France, among others. And of course, the hundreds of fans from all corners of the U.S. will make for a great international "family reunion"!

As we make our last minute preparations to head to Texas, don't forget the little bits of information that will help you enjoy yourself even more. The Howard Museum Gift Shop and the Silent Auction are only set up for CASH (or checks). (There are several convenient ATM's around Cross Plains).

Texas in June can be brutally hot and the weather can change on a dime, so remember to keep hydrated! Water and Gatorade are your friends; there will be water available in the big public cooler at the Pavilion. There should also be bug spray available there too, but it never hurts to bring some along. Same goes for sun screen - there's no sun like the sun in Texas!

Dressing cool will help as well and you can put your sombreros, fedoras and cowboy hats to use, too. Fortunately the Pavilion is well shaded, as is the yard surrounding the House and we can hope for some nice winds to blow our way.

So, to y'all who are heading out early next week (like we are here from NW Indiana), safe travels! We'll be seeing you right quick now!

Less Than Two Weeks Now!

The days are getting longer and the anticipation is getting stronger! Howard Days will be here right quick, so let's go over some details.

Most importantly, Howard Days is happening June 7th & 8th (with some limited activity on Thursday the 6th) at the Robert E. Howard Museum in Cross Plains, Texas. All the information you need is available on this page, just by pushing the tabs above. Or is it? 

Here are some little bits and tips that will hopefully make your Howard Days even more enjoyable.

• On Thursday the 6th, the Museum is open from 2 to 4. No docents are on duty but the Gift Shop is open. CASH (or checks) ONLY. Several ATMs are around town.

• Also on Thursday, there will be an informal installation ceremony for Bob Howard's Writing Table, fully restored and back in the place where it belongs.

• The Pavilion adjacent to the Museum will be open all day Thursday, too. Early comers gather there to meet & greet, maybe make plans to travel to the Howard grave site in Brownwood, have dinner or just get a start on the weekend's Howard Fellowship.

• When you arrive at Howard Days on Friday or Saturday, please register at the canopy out front and get your name on the mailing list. This gives us an idea of attendance and you can get a name badge, too.

• The Bus Tour is a Friday ONLY activity. This year it is being lead by Mark Finn and GOH Rob Roehm. Please meet AT THE PAVILION BY 9:00 AM, as the Bus leaves at 9:05! The tour lasts about 90 minutes.

• The Cross Plains Review will be open for tours Friday Only: 10:30 to 12 Noon. Come see the printing presses from Howard's era and pick up some souvenirs there, too.

• The Cross Plains Post Office will provide a unique souvenir: a postal cancellation stamp exclusive to Howard Days. It is available FRIDAY ONLY from 9-4.

• The Celebration Banquet is on Waitlist Status right now. Check at the Museum for updates, as there will be limited seating still available for $25.00. Also, the Banquet has been moved to the Cross Plains Community Center. Please pick up your dinner ticket there, starting at 5 pm. The Silent Auction viewing and bidding is next door at the American Legion Hall, with dinner at 6:30. Remember, CASH or check only at the Silent Auction.

• The Fists at the Ice House panel at 9 pm on Friday has been moved to the Museum grounds this year. So, it's Fists at the Pavilion!

• The Walking Tour of downtown Cross Plains is on Saturday ONLY, conducted by Jack Baum. Meet at the big red ICE HOUSE building on Main Street at 9:00 am sharp. The tour lasts about 90 minutes.

Howard Days is a unique gathering of REH Fans from all over the world and is unlike a "regular" convention. There is no cost for any of the activities, including the Tours, Museum admission, panel attendance, Hot Dog Lunch or Saturday BBQ. The only real cost is the Banquet fee. The "Dealers Area" is more like a Flea Market set-up and the Pavilion activities are exactly like a Family Reunion.

However, Project Pride is in constant need of your help to maintain the Robert E. Howard Museum and donations are most welcome! The continued generosity of Howard Fans from all over has kept this historic site alive!

So, for full information check the rest of this site - and for full satisfaction of being a fan of Robert E. Howard, Come to Texas! It's a very big state and there's room for y'all!

See you soon!