From Plantation to Emancipation: A Tour Reliving the Journey to Juneteenth 

In a city where history whispers from restored brick made from the mud of Buffalo Bayou, Houston offers a transformative journey into a past that both wounds and heals. The Heritage Society’s Elevated Tour Experience with Acting: Black History invites visitors to immerse themselves in a rich narrative—a journey from the depths of enslavement to the triumphant dawn of emancipation. 

Reliving Narrative of Resilience 

This tour is more than an educational expedition; it is an emotional odyssey that honors the struggles, sacrifices, and relentless spirit of those who fought for freedom. As participants traverse historic sites, they are invited to witness the tangible stories of the past—a past filled with hardship, hope, and the unwavering human drive toward liberation. 

Stepping Inside Historic Homes 

A cornerstone of this experience is its intimate connection to Houston’s architectural heritage. The tour thoughtfully leads visitors through three historic houses that have borne witness to the evolving narrative of Black history. The following houses you will explore have been designated by UNESCO as Sites of Memory for their Slave Route Project. 

• 1847 Kellum-Noble House: This stately home, rooted in the antebellum period, provides a powerful glimpse into a world where the voices of the enslaved were stifled yet unforgotten. Its preserved walls echo with stories of endurance and the clandestine acts of resistance that paved the way for future generations. 

• 1866 Fourth Ward Cottage: A modest dwelling nestled in one of Houston’s storied neighborhoods, the Fourth Ward Cottage reveals the quieter, daily struggles and the resilient spirit of those who built a community despite overwhelming adversity. Its simple charm underscores the determination to forge a new life in the face of systemic oppression. 

• 1870 Yates House: Symbolizing renewal and optimism following emancipation, the Yates House stands as a beacon of hope. It encapsulates the transformative era of reconstruction and serves as a reminder of the vibrancy and creative energy that blossomed in the aftermath of liberation. 

The Art of Storytelling 

What makes the Elevated Tour Experience uniquely compelling is its fusion of historical facts with the art of dramatic storytelling. Talented actress Kijana Wiseman breathes life into history through reenactments and singing that are as poignant as they are gripping. These narratives, woven seamlessly into the tour, ensure that each historic site—especially the evocative interiors of these houses—resonates with the lived experiences of the past. 

Beyond the Past: A Call for Reflection and Renewal 

The tour script was written by board member Martha Whiting-Goddard, a descendant of Jack Yates and a national tourism coach provided by Visit Houston. As visitors step into these hallowed spaces, they are not merely observers of history but active participants in an ongoing dialogue about freedom, equality, and community. The tour challenges each of us to confront the painful legacy of slavery while also celebrating the unyielding passion that fueled the fight for justice. It stands as a mirror reflecting both the scars of history and the promise of a future built on resilience and hope. 

Embrace the “Visit Houston Signature Experience for the Soul” for Juneteenth

Whether you are a history enthusiast, a lifelong learner, or someone seeking a deeper connection to the roots of American freedom, this tour was designed by professional tourism experts to create an invitation to engage with history in its most authentic form. Tickets are $25 for a 90-minute tour that is offered every Saturday in June and on June 19, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  Our tours are offered year-round normally on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month; from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to make a reservation at least two (2) weeks in advance. To make a reservation or to request more information, call 713-655-1912 or email tours@heritagesociety.org.

Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to your tour time for parking and walking through our campus to the museum gallery for check-in. Free parking is available at 212 Dallas Street.

A Collaboration with VisitHouston

VisitHouston, Houston First’s Tourism department, selected us and other non-profit organizations and Black-owned businesses to create elevated tour experiences in and around Downtown Houston. They worked with local organizations and attractions to design and develop experiences and itineraries tied to Houston’s African American history and heritage for leisure travelers, locals and group visitors.  To successfully develop multicultural experiences, they connected with the sites and/or community organizations that are keepers of the stories.  Their idea is to bring the attractions/venues to life and make them more immersive.

See other Black history and cultural tour experiences HERE on VisitHouston. Houston's rich tapestry of history, culture and stories are vividly brought to life in a collection of immersive experiences designed to honor and showcase the city's black-owned businesses and its pivotal role in black history. This collection, curated in collaboration with local partners, offers a unique blend of narrative, flavor, and memory across five distinctive experiences. Each experience, rooted in authenticity and passion, is a tribute to the stories, flavors, and people that define Houston's black community. Together, they form a compelling invitation to explore, taste, and learn in a city that continues to shape its history with pride and resilience.

Consultation by Joe Veneto, Chief Experience Officer of Veneto Collaboratory

Visit Houston provided us with professional consultation by Joe Veneto, a multicultural product development expert whose sole profession is to cultivate multicultural experiences across the US. The planning and dedication to this year-long project was enlightening, and we know you will enjoy the experience.

PRESS RELEASE

The Heritage Society Brings Back Historic Tours with Re-Enactments

The Heritage Society and VisitHouston Express Freedom Through Elevated Tours 

Over the years, The Heritage Society has offered specialty historical heritage tours with craftsmen, pioneers, housewives from the 1800s, and yuletide strollers. In February, Houston’s history museum will offer elevated tours with a re-enactor who will portray life from plantation to emancipation in a 90-minute experience at Sam Houston Park.

“Our tours inspire tourists and locals to walk into a time machine and see Houston in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, before and after the Civil War,” The Heritage Society’s board president, Minnette Boesel said. “Guests will walk through a time machine of life in Houston during the era of slavery and when emancipation and reconstruction occurred circa 1865.”

“Our docent will take tour guests to the Kellum-Noble House, the Yates House, and the Fourth Ward Cottage where a re-enactor will express what life was like as Black woman during those periods,” The Heritage Society’s executive director, Alison Bell said.

“Our three houses are designated as UNESCO Sites of Memory ‘Slave Route Project’ structures because they tell the stories of enslavement on a plantation to life after Juneteenth in Texas,” Bell said. “A history of the Kellum-Noble house discusses urban slavery in Houston, whereas the Yates House and the Fourth Ward Cottage tell about life in the community known as Freedmen's Town established by Black Americans.”

“What makes our Black History Tour special is that this experience was written by our board member Martha Whiting-Goddard, the great granddaughter of Reverend Jack Yates, who was responsible for moving the house to Sam Houston Park,” Bell said.

The re-enactor from Los Angeles, Khi Stephens, has drama experience and tours experience. Her passion for Black History and being involved with the humanitarian message of remembering the past so we continue equality for everyone inspired her to work with The Heritage Society on this elevated tour.

“We worked with a professional tours consultant, Joe Veneto, and his team thanks to VisitHouston, who all wanted to ensure that this elevated tour was memorable, educational, and compelling,” Bell said.