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This year's Juneteenth Celebration kicks off at 6:00 p.m., on Friday, May 16, with subject matter expert Sam Collins. Teaming with Sue Johnson of the Nia Cultural Center in Galveston, he and others have established the Juneteenth Legacy Project. Tickets include a wine and cheese reception with a pop-up exhibit by Houston Suffragists Project.

Samuel Collins was born in Galveston, Texas in 1971. He grew up in Hitchcock with his mother and grandparents and spent time in Galveston with his father's family. He grew up in a predominantly African American community but attended the integrated schools. He attended Texas A&M University. After he graduated, he moved to Corpus Christi in 1995 but quickly returned to Houston in 1996. In 2012 he decided to become his own boss and opened his own business. In 2005, Collins and his wife purchased the Stringfellow Orchards after he saw a historical marker on the road. Since then, he has endeavored to restore the property and highlight the histories of African Americans who worked in the orchards following the Civil War. Collins has also been involved in Juneteeth Celebrations in both Galveston and Hitchcock, and other historic preservation efforts in Galveston County. In his interview, he details the need for historical preservation in the African American community.

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At noon, on May 15 with speaker and author Dr. Jeremy Pedigo for “The Life and Politics of United States Senator Sam Houston”.

The “The Life and Politics of United States Senator Sam Houston” explores Sam Houston’s life events and developed ideology, and examined their impact on his actions and decisions as a U.S. Senator on four major issues: the acquisition and organization of Oregon, the Mexican American War, the Compromise of 1850, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. The findings showed that Houston’s actions and decisions supported the Union, opposed Texas secession, embraced compromise to settle political disputes, recognized the rights and contributions of Native Americans. Furthermore, Houston directly confronted people in which he disagreed with.

Speaker’s Biography

Jeremy Pedigo is a full-time Professor of Government and History at San Jacinto College, teaching both face-to-face and online classes. His primary teaching and research interests are American and Texas politics, public policy, the bureaucracy, early American history, and the Antebellum period. In 2023, Jeremy received the Silver Award from San Jacinto College and a scholarship from the Katy Heritage Society for an original paper titled, “John W. Balliger: Railroad Pioneer and M-K-T Executive.” Here is also a member of the East Texas Historical Association, having presented at their 2024 and 2023 Fall Conferences in Nacogdoches.

Join us on Tuesday, May 13 for a presentation by board member and Professor Hank Deslaurier who will speak about “Jack Johnson: The Galveston Giant” held at North Shepherd Brewing, at 6:30 p.m., 4816 N. Shepherd Drive Houston, TX 77018.

Born in Galveston, Texas in 1878 to former enslaved parents, Johnson initially worked as a dock worker during his teenage years before embarking on a new path at the age of 16. Growing up in Galveston’s racially diverse Twelfth Ward and being part of a Black and White gang shielded him from experiencing significant amounts of racism, as he later admitted. 

It was in the late 1800s that a shop owner in Dallas introduced Johnson to the world of boxing, recognizing his natural physical prowess. Standing over six feet tall and weighing around 220 pounds, with exceptional reflexes akin to a cat, Johnson’s physical attributes were ideal for the sport. Starting on the local boxing scene, he eventually made his way to Chicago, where he joined forces with a local promoter. Victories and defeats marked his journey, but one loss turned out to be promising. In 1901, Johnson was back in Galveston. As Texas had banned prizefighting authorities arrested Johnson and boxer Joe Choynski. During their 23-day incarceration, Choynski taught defensive techniques to Johnson, crafting his skills that would lead him to be considered one of the greatest defensive fighters of all time.

Click Here for Tickets: AIAH - Historic Resources Committee Kellum-Noble Tour (open to the public) Tuesday, March 26

Join Preservation On-Site with the HRC tour for a comprehensive restoration discussion of one of Houston’s oldest surviving buildings: the Kellum-Noble House (1847) in Sam Houston Park.

• Tuesday, March 26

• 4 p.m.-5 p.m.

• AIA Credit: 1.0 HSW

Kellum-Noble House Tour

Join David Bucek, FAIA, Stern and Bucek Architects, Emily Ardoin, Preservation Houston and Minnette Boesel, Board President, Heritage Society for a tour of the restored and rehabilitated Kellum-Noble House.  The Kellum-Noble House is the oldest surviving building constructed in Houston. Even more remarkable, it stands on its original foundation and retains its original brick walls made with mud from Nathaniel Kellum’s brickyard on the banks of nearby Buffalo Bayou. From its location on the edge of what is now a major downtown business district, Kellum-Noble has witnessed the phenomenal growth of our city for more than a century.

The house was built in 1847 by Nathaniel Kellum, who had arrived in the young city of Houston, Republic of Texas, in 1839. It later was home to the Noble family, and during this time Zerviah Noble and her daughter Catherine operated one of the areas earliest schools in the house.

In 1899, the City of Houston purchased the house as part of the property for Houston’s first municipal park. The house served as a showpiece and a residence for the park keeper. For a short time, its grounds were the site of Houston’s first zoo. The Heritage Society was founded in 1954 to save Kellum-Noble, and its place in history, for future generations.

The tour will discuss the recent rehabilitation work undertaken and how this historic home was made energy efficient while maintaining its integrity.

The Heritage Society presents Legendary Houston, 1960s Love Street Light Circus Feel Good Machine, on Friday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m. in The Ballroom at Bayou Place. Jillian Jopling and Peter McGillivray are the Gala Chairs and past gala honorees. C. C. and Duke Ensell are Honorary Chairs for this year’s event. Brandon Weinbrenner, Master of Ceremonies is Associate Producer & Casting Director at Alley Theatre.

1960s Love Street Light Circus Feel Good Machine Gala is a night to celebrate a decade that brought about radical change. Innovative changes in clothing styles, changes in music, changes in culture, and most important to this night is the change in nightclub styles. Love Street Light Circus Feel Good Machine quickly became a hot spot for psychedelic nightlife in Houston and remained so for many years and transformed Allen’s Landing/Market Square. It was famous for bands such as 13th Floor Elevators, Moving Sidewalks, and ZZ Top made their debut there in 1969. Guests will enter our lounge, reminiscent of the legendary “Zonk Out Room”, to the sounds of a Psychedelic Trio while feasting on themed hors d’oeuvres and colorful beverages. There will be a brilliantly curated Art Gallery Auction with selections donated from the collection of Christy and Lou Cushman. The main event will relive the era with hit songs by the David Caceres Band. A dance contest will be featured, and a Dancing King and Dancing Queen will be crowned. Wear your best interpretation of the 1960s psychedelic era clothing!

Your support of the gala provides support for The Heritage Society’s programming such as school tours, exhibits, lectures, educational videos, and fun-filled family events. We operate ten historic houses, museum gallery, and a collection of more than 23,000 historical items. Help us bring Houston history to life!

The Heritage Society aims to create The Legendary Houston Series, continuing celebrations of our history, culture, enterprise, and spirit. You may view the enclosed reply form or go to heritagesociety.org/gala or contact Laura Woods at 713.655.1912, lwoods@heritagesociety.org with any questions. We are looking forward to seeing you at the 2023 Legendary Houston Gala!

Big Wonderful Thing: A History of Texas

Join author Stephen Harrigan in an interview by the Honorable Ken Wise of the popular podcast “Wise About Texas”.

Co-Chairs: Gwen and Ed Emmett & Angela and Will Cannady

Master of Ceremonies: Frank Billingsley

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

THE BRIAR CLUB, 2603 TIMMONS LANE

Heritage Award Recipients: To Be Announced Soon

Stephen Harrigan was born in Oklahoma City in 1948 and has lived in Texas since the age of five, growing up in Abilene and Corpus Christi. He is a longtime writer for Texas Monthly, and his articles and essays have appeared in a wide range of other publications as well, including The Atlantic, Outside, The New York Times Book Review, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Conde Nast Traveler, Audubon, Travel Holiday, Life, American History, National Geographic and Slate.

Harrigan is the author of twelve books of fiction and non-fiction, including The Gates of the Alamo, which became a New York Times bestseller and Notable Book, and received a number of awards, including the TCU Texas Book Award, the Western Heritage Award from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, and the Spur Award for Best Novel of the West.

Big Wonderful Thing, a sweeping narrative of Texas from prehistory to the present, was published in 2019 by the University of Texas Press. In a review for The Wall Street Journal, Willard Spiegelman noted that the book is “brimming with sass, intelligence, trenchant analysis, literary acumen and juicy details. . . It is popular history at its best.” And Michael Schaub, in his review for NPR, wrote that “It’s hard to think of another writer with as much Lone Star credibility as Stephen Harrigan. . . Harrigan, essentially, is to Texas literature what Willie Nelson is to Texas music.”

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