HISTORY ON TAP
Join The Heritage Society’s free Community Outreach Program for adults: a monthly lecture series at New Magnolia Brewing Co, located at 1616 Bevis Street. Every second Thursday of the month, expert speakers bring Houston’s rich history and culture to life in a relaxed brewery setting. Mingle with fellow history enthusiasts, enjoy craft brews, and deepen your connection to the city you love.
Raise Your Glass to This!
🍻 History on Tap: Camp Logan
Thursday, September 10, 2026 6:30 - 7:30 PM
New Magnolia Brewing Co. 1616 Bevis Street, Houston, TX 77008
Join The Heritage Society for a compelling after work speaker event exploring Camp Logan, the World War I military training camp that once occupied the land we now know as Memorial Park. Professor Hank Deslaurier will guide attendees through the camp’s origins, its role in preparing soldiers for combat, and the social and racial dynamics that shaped Houston during the 1910s.
Today’s Memorial Park—a 1,500‑acre urban sanctuary visited by millions each year—was originally the site of Camp Logan, a massive WWI training facility established in 1917. More than 70,000 soldiers passed through the camp, leaving behind roads, foundations, and artifacts still discovered during park improvements and archaeological surveys.
But Camp Logan’s history also includes one of the most significant racial flashpoints in early 20th‑century America: the Camp Logan Riot, also known as the Houston Riot of 1917.
Memorial Park was established in 1924 as a living memorial to the soldiers who trained at Camp Logan and to those who lost their lives in the war. The park’s creation transformed a former military landscape into a public space dedicated to remembrance, recreation, and civic pride.
🎙️ About the Speaker
Professor Hank Deslaurier
Professor Hank Deslaurier is a historian and educator based in Galveston County, serving as Instructor of History and Coordinator of History & Government at Galveston College. His teaching and scholarship focus on U.S. history, world history, and the political and cultural development of Texas and the Gulf Coast region.
He holds an M.A. in History from Pace University and a B.A. in History from the University of South Florida, with a career spanning both higher education and Advanced Placement history programs across Houston-area schools. Professor Deslaurier is also active in public history programming, regularly leading community lectures on Galveston’s past, Gulf Coast heritage, and Texas history.
🍺 Venue & Atmosphere
Enjoy an evening of history, conversation, and community at New Magnolia Brewing Co., where craft beer and storytelling come together in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
📅 Event Details
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026 Time: 6:30 PM Location: New Magnolia Brewing Co., 1616 Bevis Street, Houston, TX 77008 Admission: Free and open to the public
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