Facebook Live! with Mister McKinney’s Historic Houston
Join us for this free, online show (Facebook and Instagram) with board member Mister McKinney who films a one-hour show from his studio in our Tea Room. Each season, there are three shows with local guests who keep Houston’s history alive through books, collections, colleges, and museums, and media. You’ve seen our host on television and heard him on radio! Mister McKinney also hosts The Houston Hour and features our board members, historians, and artists.
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 7 PM
Facebook Live:
Hosted by Mister McKinney of Mister McKinney’s Historic Houston live from the TeaRoom at The Heritage Society
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 • 7:00 PM
Event Overview
🌿 Kirk Farris on Frost Town
When Kirk Farris speaks about Frost Town, Houston’s earliest immigrant neighborhood, he does so with the conviction of someone who has spent a lifetime fighting for the city’s cultural soul. Standing at the confluence of Buffalo Bayou and the city’s oldest roads, Farris paints Frost Town not as a forgotten patch of land, but as a living archive of Houston’s beginnings—an early settlement shaped by German immigrants, African American families, and working‑class laborers who built the foundations of the modern city.
Farris describes Frost Town as “the place where Houston’s story becomes human.” He emphasizes its role as one of the region’s first true multicultural communities, a neighborhood where newcomers forged livelihoods, raised families, and contributed to the city’s industrial and civic growth. His storytelling blends archaeology, memory, and advocacy, reminding audiences that the landscape still holds the imprint of those who lived, worked, and worshipped there.
Whether he is guiding a tour, speaking to preservationists, or addressing civic leaders, Farris frames Frost Town as a test of Houston’s commitment to honoring its past. He urges the public to see the site not as an empty green space, but as a rare surviving chapter of early Houston—one that deserves protection, interpretation, and reverence.
📘 Biography of Kirk Farris
Kirk Farris is a Houston-based preservationist, environmental designer, and community advocate whose decades-long work has shaped the city’s understanding of its early neighborhoods and cultural landscapes. Best known for his leadership in preserving Frost Town, one of Houston’s earliest and most historically significant immigrant communities, Farris has dedicated his career to safeguarding the stories embedded in the city’s bayous, streets, and forgotten enclaves.
Born and raised in Houston, Farris developed an early fascination with the intersection of history, ecology, and urban development. He founded Art & Environmental Architecture, Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on environmental restoration, public art, and historic preservation. Through this work, he became a central figure in efforts to protect and interpret Frost Town, advocating for archaeological research, public awareness, and long-term conservation of the site.
Farris’s contributions extend far beyond preservation. He has designed and implemented numerous environmental improvement projects along Buffalo Bayou, championed green space development, and collaborated with civic groups, archaeologists, and cultural institutions to elevate Houston’s historical consciousness. His hands-on approach—often involving community volunteers, students, and local residents—reflects his belief that history and environment are inseparable parts of public life.
A respected voice in Houston’s preservation community, Farris is known for his passionate storytelling, his deep knowledge of early Houston settlement patterns, and his unwavering commitment to protecting the city’s cultural heritage. His work at Frost Town stands as a testament to his vision: a Houston that honors its past while building a more thoughtful and connected future.
About the Host: Mister McKinney
Mister McKinney is a Houston historian, educator, and founder of Mister McKinney’s Historic Houston, known for his engaging storytelling and commitment to making local history accessible to all audiences. His popular programs, including the Houston History Bus and the podcast The Houston Hour, bring the city’s past to life through immersive, community‑centered experiences. He is also a Board member of The Heritage Society and directs our Marketing and Television productions and projects.
How to Watch
Tune in live on Facebook at 7:00 PM on April 1, 2026. Viewers will have the opportunity to submit questions during the broadcast.
