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Every June, Gibbs Smith celebrates the history of our company. Founded in 1969, our story began when Gibbs Smith (the person) turned his graduate thesis into a published book. That single title grew into a publishing company built on independence, grit, and a belief in the cultural power of books.
By 1973, Gibbs and his wife, Catherine, moved the company into a renovated barn on their family farm in Utah—where the ringing of phones mixed with the sound of nearby cows. Their first major success, Utah’s Heritage, was delivered to schools in the back of their truck, setting the tone for our hands-on, heart-driven approach.
Defining Eras
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1970s–1980s: We built a strong educational publishing arm while expanding into regional history and lifestyle titles.
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2010s: We introduced the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, ensuring our independence and mission would endure.
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2020s: We achieved 100% employee ownership, earned B Corp certification, and embraced our role as both a cultural force and a sustainable business.
Part of our mission at Gibbs Smith and Gibbs Smith Education is to create meaningful books that connect people to ideas, beauty, and one another. As June is also Pride Month, we are offering a free Pride booklet to continue to celebrate the diversity and heritage we can all celebrate this month!
Download the free Pride booklet here.
The Civil Rights Issue, Part II
The Civil Rights Issue, Part II is a high school social studies supplemental resource that explores how members of the LGBTQIA+ community have worked to protect and expand civil rights. Through an inquiry-based approach, students examine key events, perspectives, and movements while connecting historical struggles to ongoing efforts for equality and justice.
