đź“… Thursday, March 19, 2026 đź•› Noon - 1 PM
Lunch & Learn: Author Linda Dodge on A Museum Is Born and the Legacy of Emma Richardson Cherry
The Heritage Society, 1100 Bagby Street HTX 77002
This Women’s History Month, The Heritage Society welcomes author Linda Dodge for a special Lunch & Learn exploring the women who shaped Houston’s early arts community and helped lay the foundation for one of the nation’s leading cultural institutions. Dodge will discuss her Museum of Fine Arts, Houston publication A Museum Is Born and highlight the life and influence of Emma Richardson Cherry, one of Houston’s earliest and most impactful women artists.
Event Overview
Dodge’s work traces the origins of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, revealing how a small circle of visionary civic leaders—many of them women—built the city’s first major art museum from the ground up. Central to this story is Emma Richardson Cherry, a painter, educator, preservationist, and cultural advocate whose leadership helped define Houston’s artistic identity in the early twentieth century.
This program offers an in-depth look at:
The women who shaped the MFAH’s founding vision
Cherry’s role as an artist, teacher, and preservation pioneer
How early female cultural leaders influenced Houston’s growth
The broader social and civic landscape that allowed the arts to flourish
By spotlighting these contributions, the event honors the women whose creativity, leadership, and determination continue to influence Houston’s cultural life today.
About the Speaker: Linda Dodge
Linda Dodge is a writer, researcher, and arts advocate whose work centers on the history of cultural institutions and the individuals—especially women—who shaped them. As the author of A Museum Is Born, published by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Dodge brings to life the museum’s formative years and the civic visionaries who transformed Houston into a thriving arts center.
Her research highlights the essential role of women in Houston’s early cultural development, with particular focus on Emma Richardson Cherry, whose artistic practice, teaching, and preservation efforts helped establish the city’s artistic foundations. Dodge’s writing blends archival depth with accessible storytelling, making complex institutional histories engaging for broad audiences.
With a background in arts writing and public humanities, Dodge has collaborated with museums and cultural organizations across Texas. Her work reflects a deep commitment to documenting and celebrating the contributions of women in the arts.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, March 19 Time: Noon Location: The Heritage Society Admission: Free and open to the public Guests are welcome to bring their lunch
