Houston Heritage Luncheon serves up our City's storied past of Business and Politics with a generous side dish of Preservation

At this year’s Houston Heritage Luncheon, the city united to honor its vibrant cultural legacy and pay tribute to generations of docents who have passionately safeguarded Houston’s unique story. The event, held on June 3, at the iconic Eldorado Ballroom in the heart of the Third Ward, was an ode to history, progress, and community spirit. Lunch was catered by Lucille's Fine Southern Foods and Rado.

The evening began with a warm welcome from THS President Jillian Jopling, whose opening remarks set an uplifting tone. Executive Director Alison Bell then invited each docent to rise and receive a standing ovation—a heartfelt salute to their unwavering dedication and the remarkable role they continue to play in keeping Houston’s heritage alive.

Adding depth to the celebration, architect and new THS board member David Bucek recounted the captivating history of the Eldorado Ballroom. He detailed the thoughtful restructuring of the venue and shared stirring anecdotes of how legends like James Brown and Elvis Presley once graced its stage—a stage that, during a segregated era, stood as a beacon of dramatic transformation and hope.

In a moment bridging generations and legacies, Pierce Bush—the grandson of former President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush—introduced keynote speaker Ambassador Chase Untermeyer. The ambassador delivered a compelling address on how the interplay of visionary businessmen and strategic politics has nurtured Houston’s diversity and bolstered its thriving economy. His insights highlighted how the blend of strategic meetings, ambition, and inclusivity remains integral to the city’s dynamic evolution. (Tidbit: Chase's mother Marguerite Untermeyer was a docent!)

As the luncheon drew to a close, heartfelt appreciation was extended to the countless dedicated individuals whose passion continues to preserve Houston’s history. Their efforts ensure that our collective story not only endures, but also inspires future generations to carry the torch of cultural pride and historical awareness.

Join fellow historians and preservationists to examine the reasons behind the city’s success. It is part historical and part sociological, going back to the days of Captain James A. Baker, Jesse Jones, and the 8F Crowd.

All table and ticket purchases will be assigned a Fair Market Value of $75 per seat.

Are you unable to attend but wish to make a donation for a worthy cause? Please click HERE. We thank you in advance.

We are thrilled to have selected the historic Eldorado Ballroom, built in 1939, as our venue for the luncheon. It served as a lively venue for many notable local and international jazz and blues performance artists. It was a centerpiece of Third Ward up until the 1970s.  Project Row Houses received the building as a gift and after extensive renovation, reopened in 2023. We felt this was wonderful way to support Preservation and support our community partners.

https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/eldorado-ballroom