On Saturday, May 4, after the City’s Cinco de Mayo Parade, walk over to The Heritage Society’s The Albert & Ethel Herzstein Museum Gallery, at 1100 Bagby Street, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to discover Mexican American culture through the arts with a Sip and See experience.
“Although ‘Cinco’ has to do with The Battle of Puebla in 1862 during the second French intervention in Mexico, Texans like to celebrate with cerveza and enjoying Mexican culture.” The Heritage Society’s executive director, Alison Bell said. “Enjoy three exhibits and our new Latino cARTographies, a new interactive and portable digital board developed by the University of Houston’s Center for Mexican American and Latino/a Studies that allows you to see 3,000 images of art, 250+ artists, 80 landmarks, 17 arts organizations and other sites of importance to Houston’s Latino communities.”
“Latino cARTographies features our commissioned a mural that is outside our gallery to celebrate the many contributions of our city’s Mexican American community,” Bell said. “Mural artists Laura López Cano and Jesse Sifuentes, along with key fundraisers and government officials can now see their creation complemented by the interactive, digital board that is inside our museum gallery.”
In the spirit of the great Mexican muralists, our vibrant collective outdoor mural, Mexican-American History & Culture in 20th Century Houston, spotlights 38 places, personalities, and events that played a key role in the growth of this community and provides recognition for the countless and essential contributions of Mexican Americans to the economy, culture, and vitality of our city in the 1900s.
“We have been partnering with University of Houston over the past two years to enhance our educational offerings and make history relevant especially through their artistic tech project,” The Heritage Society’s board president, Minnette Boesel said. “Imagine swiping your finger to magically experience Latino art in seven communities and learn about their inspiration.”
The interactive exhibit will be available until December 31, 2024. Museum gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday, and tickets are only $5. In addition, visitors can enjoy the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo History Exhibit and an additional Texas history exhibit of the General Duncan Store with old-fashioned toys and a trunk show-and-tell. For tickets and/or inquiries about Tex-Mex-themed field trips, group tours, or museum gallery rentals for rodeo events, please see: www.heritagesociety.org/latino-cartographies.

Join us on Wednesday, 5/1, on Facebook or Instagram at 7 p.m. with Mister McKinney of Mister McKinney's Historic Houston as he hosts Facebook Live with author Richard Cunningham speaking about West University History in this free, online program.

West University history is Harris County history, and Cunningham’s book West University Place will take you on a journey of how it transformed then flourished. The real estate development called West University Place was part of a trend in the early 20th century of building affordable neighborhoods away from city centers; it was never meant to be a city on its own. West University Place evolved from treeless farmland into one of the most livable small towns in Texas—but the journey was not easy. More than once, the enterprise could have failed. If not for the actions of visionary leaders and dedicated residents, things may have turned out quite differently.

Cunningham, who is a freelance science writer, is author of the novel, Three Good Leads, a sequel to Maude Brown’s Baby, his debut novel. Three Good Leads is set in Houston and Galveston during the 1918 Influenza pandemic.  These fictional books were inspired by authentic vintage photographs that had a life of their own. 

Today, Cunningham serves on the City of West University Place Parks and Recreation Board. In 2021, he originated research into the location of the 1894 Harris County Poor Farm, which led to the approval of a historical marker on the Edloe Street pathway. He and his wife live in a 1948 cottage in West U that they remodeled in 2007.

Join Executive Director Alison Bell and Mister McKinney for a night of Houston history!

Join us on Wednesday, 4/3 on Facebook or Instagram at 7 p.m. with Mister McKinney of Mister McKinney's Historic Houston as he hosts Facebook Live with guest Robert Kimberly speaking about Legacy of Sig Byrd in this free, online program.

Robert Kimberly is the author of The Digital Sig Byrd Archive, “Houston Press Columnist Sigman Byrd, a Mid-Century Chronicler of Houston People and Places Long Gone”. The Digital Sig Byrd Archive is an online repository of Houston Press columns by Sigman Byrd, the mid-century chronicler of a Houston long gone. Byrd’s writings about underdogs and “the drifts of life”, from 1947 – mid 1950s, leave behind a unique portrait of Houston’s demimonde: its junkies, hookers, hustlers, street-corner preachers, pawnshop owners, honky-tonk angels, boogie-woogie boys, dealers, and more. However, upstanding Houstonians made appearances as well. The site looks to offer an accessible introduction to his writings, reward deep exploration of the archives and provide names, places, maps and calendars to offer a broad overview of his writings during his time at the Houston Press.

Kimberly works at the Blaffer Art Museum at the University of Houston and previously worked for the Museum of Fine Arts - Houston and the Houston Center for Photography.

Join Executive Director Alison Bell and Mister McKinney for a night of Houston history!

Join us as we honor those who lost their lives in the Battle of Sunda Strait.

Captain Albert H. Rooks, commanding officer of USS Houston, c. 1940–1942.
Main article: Battle of Sunda Strait
Houston and Perth reached Tanjong Priok on 28 February, where they attempted to resupply, but were met with fuel shortages and no available ammunition.[15] The two cruisers were ordered to sail to Tjilatjap with Dutch destroyer Evertsen, but departed at 17:00 without Evertsen, which was delayed.[16] The Allies believed that Sunda Strait was free of enemy vessels, with the last intelligence reports indicating that Japanese warships were no closer than 50 miles (43 nmi; 80 km), but a large Japanese force had assembled at Bantam Bay.[17][16][18] At 23:06, the two cruisers were off St. Nicholas Point when lookouts on Perth sighted an unidentified ship; when it was realized that she was a Japanese destroyer, Perth engaged.[17][16] However, as this happened, multiple Japanese warships appeared and surrounded the two Allied ships.[17][16]

The two cruisers evaded the nine torpedoes launched by the destroyer Fubuki.[18] According to ABDA post-battle reports, the cruisers then reportedly sank one transport and forced three others to beach, but were blocked from passing through Sunda Strait by a destroyer squadron, and had to contend with the heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma in close proximity.[5] At midnight, Perth attempted to force a way through the destroyers, but was hit by four torpedoes in the space of a few minutes, then subject to close-range gunfire until sinking at 00:25 on 1 March.[16]

On board Houston, shells were in short supply in the forward turrets, so the crew manhandled shells from the disabled number three turret to the forward turrets. Houston was struck by a torpedo shortly after midnight, and began to lose headway.[5] Houston's gunners had scored hits on three different destroyers and sunk a minesweeper, but she was struck by three more torpedoes in quick succession.[5] Captain Albert Rooks was killed by a bursting shell at 00:30, and as the ship came to a stop, Japanese destroyers moved in, machine-gunning the decks and men in the water. A few minutes later, Houston rolled over and sank.[5] Of the 1,061 aboard, 368 survived, including 24 of the 74-man Marine Detachment, only to be captured by the Japanese and interned in prison camps. Of 368 Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 77 (21%) died in captivity.[19][a]

Aftermath

George S. Rentz, Chaplain of Houston 1940–1942.
Houston's fate was not fully known by the world for almost nine months, and the full story of her last fight was not told until the survivors were liberated from prison camps at the end of the war.[5] Before then, on 30 May 1942, 1,000 new recruits for the Navy, known as the Houston Volunteers, were sworn in at a dedication ceremony in downtown Houston, to replace those believed lost on Houston.

February is Black History Month and a great opportunity for Scouts to experience and learn about Houston's history.  

Badge workshops include historic house tours and a museum gallery showcasing the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo History Exhibit and the Duncan General Store. The tour and activity are led by Martha Whiting-Goddard, a descendant of Reverend Jack Yates. These activities are appropriate for Grades 2 - 5 and include popcorn and lemonade.

For Brownies:

Please choose the 1:00 p.m. time slot.

For Daisies:

Please choose the  3:00 p.m. time slot.

Please email educationoutreach@heritagesociety.org for scouting activities and to book your troop.

Need something cool to do before the Pride Parade in Downtown? Enjoy 2 museum gallery exhibits, learn about LGBTQI history from our staff, and take a selfie with Harrison Guy's, Houston Pride’s 2019 Male Grand Marshal, t-shirt on display for The New Red Book Exhibit. He was the first Black male grand marshal in the 45-year history of Houston’s Pride celebrations. Cool beverages will be served. Only $5!

LIVE! from The Heritage Society with Mister McKinney of Mister McKinney’s Historic Houston

Join us on Wednesday, 5/3, on Facebook or Instagram, at 7 PM and learn about the past architectural stories of buildings and homes that once bustled. Mister McKinney of Mister McKinney's Historic Houston hosts Facebook Live with Alfred Cervantes in this #free online program.

As the Executive Director of the Houston Film Commission and a native Houstonian, Alfred Cervantes has worked in the Texas film industry since 1992. As freelance crew, some of the movies he has worked on are Reality Bites, The Chase, Jason's Lyric, Powder, and Apollo 13. His role with the Houston Film Commission is to promote the greater City of Houston & Harris County area to film producers, production executives and independent filmmakers, to scout locations and facilitate any production's local filming experience.

Check out all of Houston’s film festivals here: https://www.houstonfilmcommission.com/news-and-events/texas-film-festivals/

The evening starts with information about THS from executive director Alison Ayres Bell.

WATCH ON INSTAGRAM

WATCH ON FACEBOOK

Join us on Wednesday, 4/5 on Facebook or Instagram at 7 PM and learn about the past architectural stories of buildings and homes that once bustled. Mister McKinney of Mister McKinney's Historic Houston hosts Facebook Live with Minnette Boesel in this #free online program.

Minnette B. Boesel of Houston was named the Texas Society of Architects’ Cornerstone Award recipient (for non-architect leaders) for 2019. This award recognizes outstanding contributions by leaders in the community that enhance the quality of life by elevating architecture and the arts, and promoting the value of community.  In 2022, Boesel was awarded Preservationist of the Year by Mayor Sylvester Turner.

With a background in the arts, historic preservation, and real estate, Boesel has been a leader in the enhancement of the built environment of Houston for decades. In the 1980s, when the city lacked any preservation ordinances, Boesel with others led efforts to revitalize downtown and invested in developing the W.L. Foley building to show what could be accomplished with historic properties. She served as executive director of the Downtown Houston Association, founding director of the Market Square Historic District Project, and established a real estate company, Minnette Boesel Properties, to work with developers to save and reuse historic properties. 

Boesel’s contributions have been an integral part of the city becoming more interested in preserving its historic past — the city now has more than 400 designated and protected landmarks and numerous historic districts. Boesel has served as director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and a member of the Rice Design Alliance and Houston Arts Alliance boards, among others. She was the chair of Houston’s Archeological and Historical Commission, an advisory board member for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and founding director of the Astrodome Conservancy and the Julia Ideson Library Preservation Partners.

Watch this Wednesday on Facebook or Instagram at 7 PM and learn about the past stories of Pearland. Mister McKinney of Mister McKinney's Historic Houston hosts Facebook Live with Donald Hayes in this #free online program. Hayes is a Board Member at Pearland Foundation for the Performing and Visual Arts and is an officer of the Pearland Historical Society. He also is the founder of Untold Tales Marketing. Join us for education, trivia, and prizes.

Join us at 7 PM, Wednesday, August 3 and THS board member Mister McKinney of Historic Houston as he interviews authors of Oldest Houston —Lydia Schrandt & Biju Sukumaran. Their book creatively walks through some of the oldest attractions found in Houston. The author shows the city's diverse culture by taking readers on a journey through the oldest buildings, businesses, and neighborhoods.

Chance to win prizes from The Heritage Society and learn about the exciting exhibits coming to The Heritage Society from Executive Director Alison Bell. This program is free, thanks to our donors.

“FROM PLANTATION TO EMANCIPATION”

PROGRAM AGENDA FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 11

This is an exclusive, educational day dedicated to Juneteenth and Black Houston History. Book a Black History tour purchase at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, or 2:30 PM, and you will receive free admission to a Red Punch and Tea Cake Reception and an empowering Speaker Series from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

11:00 AM - 11:14 AM Reception

11:00 AM Teacake and Red Punch

11:00 AM Poem by Dr. Don Williams

11:05 AM Music/Songs by National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses

11:15 AM - 1:00 PM Children’s Event

Children's Coloring activity of Reverend Jack Yates and Downtown Black Businesses Map by Sandra Lord, in the General Duncan Store.

11:15 AM - 1:00 PM Speaker Series

11:15 AM Welcome and Juneteenth Introduction by Martha Whiting-Goddard

11:30 AM Reverend Jack Yates House by Devaron Yates

12 Noon Pilgrim Temple and Downtown's Black-Owned Businesses by Cheryl Cavitt

12:30 PM African American Women Suffrage by Rae Bryant

BOOK TICKETS TO THE JUNETEENTH PROGRAM (11 AM - 1 PM) WITH BLACK HISTORIC HOUSES TOUR

Meet HARV THE HEDGEHOG and learn about Texas history on Saturday, May 28, from 10:30 AM to Noon. Free parking is at 212 Dallas by the 1847 Kellum-Noble House.
Harv and her father, Paul, will be sharing all about her adventures to Gonzales, TX known as the initial site of the Texas Revolution on Oct. 2, 1835. Her father has relatives who served in the Texas Revolution, and they are on a family heritage quest.