LUNCH AND LEARN AND EVENING SPEAKER SERIES
Explore Houston’s History with a historical expert while enjoying your brown bag or ordered lunch from Tres Market Foods. This series of speakers is generously underwritten in part by The Summerlee Foundation.
October 16, 2025: Christean Kapp with Saengerbund.org - German Americans, German Texans, & GermanTown Houston
November 20, 2025: Family History Research Center, Clayton Library presents “Finding Your Roots”
1100 Bagby Street, Museum Gallery. Free Parking at 212 Dallas
Members attend Lunch and Learns for free! Lunches from Tres Market Foods are additional. Membership information here- https://www.heritagesociety.org/membership-join
If you can’t attend in person, purchase a YouTube video of the program for $5 HERE. You will receive an email with the program the night of the program.
OCTOBER
“German-Americans in Houston: Immigration, Legacy & Historic Achievements”
The Heritage Society and Saengerbund Houston invite the public to a special Lunch and Learn program exploring the extraordinary story of German-Americans in Houston and Texas on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at 1100 Bagby Street, Houston, TX 77002.
“Learning how German settlers shaped our city’s culture and stood up for freedom is both enlightening and inspiring,” said Alison Bell, Executive Director of The Heritage Society. “This Lunch and Learn will add an educational element to your Oktoberfest festivities.”
Attendees will:
Trace the major waves of German immigration to Texas and settlement patterns along Buffalo Bayou,
Discover German-American contributions to the War for Independence, the Civil War, and early anti-slavery efforts,
Embrace German-Americans whose achievements in politics, science, music, and the arts continue to influence our world, and
Explore undertold stories of political persecution by the KKK, Union-supporting German communities, and their legacy of resilience.
Attendees may bring their own lunches or order online; tickets are $10 for nonmembers and free for members. Tickets also include admission to the Coastal Cowboys Exhibit. For more information, see www.heritagesociety.org/lunch-and-learn-speaker-series. Free parking is available at 212 Dallas Street.
About Saengerbund Houston
Saengerbund Houston, established in 1883, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting German heritage through choral music, folk festivals, language instruction, and cultural events. Based on Heights Boulevard, Saengerbund Houston’s outreach programs foster intercultural understanding and keep alive the melodies, stories, and communal spirit brought to Houston by early German settlers.
Speaker’s Biography
Speaker Christean Wolfgang Kapp, a first-generation German-American and certified professional genealogist, will guide participants through these rich narratives. Kapp holds a master’s degree in engineering from RWTH Aachen University and is completing a master’s thesis in history at the University of Hagen. He serves on the Houston Saengerbund board for public outreach, is certified by the Association of Professional Genealogists, and is a Space Ambassador with the National Space Society.
PAST EVENTS
Thursday, January 16, 2025: Andrew “Dru” Sanders, "Texas in the International Civil War"
February 20, 2025: Dr. Caleb McDaniel Black History Month: “Captain’s Story: Slavery and Freedom in the Archives of The Heritage Society and Rice University”
March 20, 2025: Dr. Karen Kossie-Chernyshev, Professor of History atTSU and Founding Director, SWATH “Women’s History Month: Black Women’s Empowerment through Education”
April 17, 2025: Suzanne Simpson, "Wild Houston: A Natural History of the City”
May 15, 2025: Author Dr. Jeremy Pedigo for “The Life and Politics of United States Senator Sam Houston”.
May 16, 2025: Samuel Collins, The Birthplace of Juneteenth (Evening event, wine & cheese reception)
June 20, 2025: Bryanna Jenkins, LGBTQIA History Month (Evening event, wine & cheese reception) Click HERE for Programs for Adults
July 9, 2025: America250 Speaker and Wine Reception John Espinosa “Spain’s Contributions to the American Revolution” - Wednesday, July 9, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
August 21, 2025: The History of Mah Jongg by Linda Freedman Block
September 9, 2025: Forging Race and Gender Power in Houston by Dr. Samantha Rodriguez
