The Southern Historical Association (SHA) is an organization of historians focusing on the history of the Southern United States (commonly referred to as southern history). It was organized on November 2, 1934. Its objectives are the promotion of interest and research in southern history, the collection and preservation of the South's historical records, and the encouragement of state and local historical societies in the South. As a secondary purpose the organization fosters the teaching and study of all areas of history in the South.
The SHA publishes the Journal of Southern History. The association's 2009 president was Jack Temple Kirby, who died on August 6, 2009; vice president William J. Cooper presided in his stead at the SHA's annual meeting in November 2009. John B. Boles is editor of the Journal of Southern History, and Stephen W. Berry II is the organization's secretary-treasurer.
The SHA maintains two permanent offices: the editorial offices, located at Rice University, the secretary-treasurer's office, located at the University of Georgia.
Among the association founders was W. Darrell Overdyke of Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana and Philip M. Hamer of the National Archives.
Past SHA presidents included Charles P. Roland (1981), Anne Firor Scott (1989), and Carl Degler (1986).