Please DONATE HERE and keep Houston’s history alive. Read Executive Director Alison Bell’s Year-End Letter HERE to learn more our nonprofit.
See our tours HERE. Read about our year-round Black History Tours in The New York Times HERE and view our year-round Women’s History Tours HERE on Great Day Houston. See Ginger Zee of Good Morning America do a tour with us HERE. See a video of National Hispanic Heritage Month kick off with Constellation Energy HERE.
Stories of Houston
The Heritage Society's 10 historic houses in Sam Houston Park, Houston, Texas stand as enduring monuments that not only preserve the city's history but also symbolize its cultural legacy. Anchored in the past, these architectural treasures serve as a cornerstone for the narrative of Houston's evolution, offering a tangible link between bygone eras and the unfolding future. As gateways to the past, our museum gallery, exhibits, houses, events, and collections provide a unique opportunity to delve into the rich tapestry of Houston's heritage. By exploring the stories encapsulated within their walls, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the diverse communities that have contributed to the city's vibrant mosaic. Moreover, these heritage sites play a pivotal role in shaping Houston's future by serving as catalysts for dialogue and reflection. By embracing the narratives of inclusivity and diversity that these buildings represent, Houston can forge a path towards a more equitable and harmonious tomorrow.
Tour authentically restored buildings that span the city's history from before statehood to the oil boom of the early 20th century. See furnishings that reflect the lifestyles and cultural influences of Houston's earliest residents. Enjoy fun, family-friendly activities for learning about the growth and development of the city. Hear experts tell the stories of the people who came to Houston seeking new opportunities. Experience Houston's history through exhibitions about the city's diverse population. Learn about The Heritage Society’s Museum, Historic Home Tours, Events and fascinating Houston history that lends a beautiful backdrop to our Event Venue & Facility Rentals throughout the scenic campus. We are located in Downtown Houston at 1100 Bagby Street. To see a 2024 calendar of events, head here.
New Exhibit: Karankawa: An Enduring Culture of Texas
New Interactive Exhibit Showcasing Latin Artists
The Karankawa, an Indigenous people composed of five distinct tribes, have a rich history and culture that has long been overlooked. Their ancestral lands spanned the central Texas Gulf Coast, from Galveston Bay to Corpus Christi, with one group residing in or near modern-day Houston. This exhibit at The Heritage Society is a groundbreaking collaboration with the Karankawa tribe, who have full authority over its content. By empowering the tribe to narrate their own history, the exhibit seeks to rectify the historical injustice of having their narrative dictated by outsiders.
We are featuring an exhibit with the University of Houston that features Latin artists through an art digital board that also features our mural. Under the leadership of Dr. Pamela Anne Quiroz, Director of the University of Houston’s (UH) Center for Mexican American and Latino Studies (CMALS) launched the groundbreaking digital board, Latino cARTographies: Mapping the Past, Present, and Future of Houston’s Latino Visual Art. The exhibit is on display from Friday, April 26 to December 31, 2024.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo History Exhibit
This HLSR exhibit about Houston’s Rodeo culture and showcases award-winning paintings to vintage bronco bull riding photos.
It is only $5 and includes a walkthrough of the rustic Duncan General Store. Some of the artifacts include-
George Bush Presidential Library Foundation saddle holder
Black and Hispanic Cowboy Heritage
Photography, paintings, collectibles, costumery, and memorabilia of all the competitions
KARANKAWA EXHIBIT PANEL & WINE RECEPTION MAY 9
Tickets include exhibit admission with wine and cheese reception. Tickets only $5!
PAINTED CHURCHES BUS TOUR APRIL 26
LUNCH AND LEARN: SENATOR SAM HOUSTON MAY 15
Join members from The Heritage Society on a bus trip to Schulenburg for a guided tour for a Painted Churches experience includes bus trip, buffet lunch at popular local restaurant, tour to five (5) churches, happy hour, snacks, drinks, and free parking. Tickets are $110.
Join us and Dr. Jeremy Pedigo for “The Life and Politics of United States Senator Sam Houston” explored Sam Houston’s life events and developed ideology, and examined their impact on his actions and decisions as a U.S. Senator on four major issues: the acquisition and organization of Oregon, the Mexican American War, the Compromise of 1850, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854.
FACEBOOK LIVE! AUTHOR DR. KATE KIRKLAND MAY 7
Board member Mister McKinney of Mister McKinney's Historic Houston has Dr. Kate Kirkland on “LIVE from The Heritage Society with Mister McKinney” on Wednesday, May 7, at 7:00 p.m. She is the author of two books on Houston, Texas, history: The Hogg Family and Houston: Philanthropy and the Civic Ideal (2009) and Captain James A. Baker of Houston, 1857–1941 (2012). She has been a guest speaker of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, the Houston Seminar, the Houston Metropolitan Research Center’s Friends of the Texas Room, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Free!
GALVESTON’S JUNETEENTH SAM COLLINS MAY 16
This year's Juneteenth Celebration kicks off on Friday, May 16, with subject matter expert Sam Collins. Teaming with Sue Johnson of the Nia Cultural Center in Galveston, he and others have established the Juneteenth Legacy Project. Tickets include a wine and cheese reception with a pop-up exhibit by Houston Suffragists Project. Tickets $10.
