TWO TOURS IN 2024! FROM PLANTATION TO EMANCIPATION - A UNESCO SITES OF MEMORY EXPERIENCE
BLACK HISTORY TOURS
TOUR OPTION 1
From Plantation to Emancipation – The Freedom Experience
Starting on February 10, just in time for Black History Month!
Year-round elevated tours with ReEnactor Khi Stephens are available at 12:30 PM on Saturdays (2nd and 4th Saturday of the month) and are 90 minutes.
TOUR OPTION 2
Black History Tours (year-round)
Explore the following three houses that are designated by UNESCO as Sites of Memory for their “Routes of Enslaved Peoples’ Project” - 1847 Kellum-Noble House; 1866 Fourth Ward Cottage; and 1870 Yates House. “Sites of Memory,” or “Sites of Conscience” are historic places that activate the power of memory to engage the public in a deeper understanding of the past, inspiring action to shape a more just future. These sites break the silence surrounding slavery, and place the tragedy into our universal memory. It is only through dialogue that we can have peace and reconciliation. We have a duty to remember the crimes committed against humanity by our ancestors, especially as we see the return of prejudice and discrimination today.
As seen in The New York Times, 36 Hours in Houston: “The Bayou City’s reputation is for tearing down rather than preserving. But at Downtown’s Sam Houston Park, a collection of historic structures has been thoughtfully restored. The Heritage Society offers a popular Black history walking tour ($15 for 45 minutes) in the area, which includes three sites recognized in 2022 by UNESCO’s Slave Route Project.”
These tours are a treasure for families, schools, universities, interest groups, places of worship, and companies that promote fun and enlightening diversity initiatives.
House Beautiful recently published how our tour was a must-see Black History event! The tour consists of three (3) historic structures including the 1847 Kellum-Noble House, 1870 Jack Yates House, and the 1866 Fourth Ward Cottage.
Our tour guides will demonstrate the contrast of the lives of African-Americans living in Houston before and after the Civil War. New research conducted on the 1847 Kellum-Noble House has revealed the names of several enslaved men, women, and children who lived and worked on the property. The history of this home discusses urban slavery in Houston, whereas the Yates House and Fourth Ward Cottage tell about life after Emancipation in the community known as Freedmen’s Town established by African-Americans.
Come see why the Reader’s Digest named the Yates House the most famous house in Texas, twice!
As seen on Fox26 News! Anchor Jose Grinan interviews Reverend Jack Yates descendant, Martha Whiting-Goddard about the house that Jack built and the importance of UNESCO’s designation of the three houses featured on our tour. Black History Month – From Plantation to Emancipation Historic House Tours
Days and times for tours are Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
$17 for adults; $14 for seniors (65+); $7 student (6−12 yrs.); Free for members and children 5 yrs. and younger. Check in for your tour at the museum gallery’s gift shop, at 1100 Bagby Street. (Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to your tour time for parking and walking through our campus to the museum gallery for check-in.)
For 10 or more people, please call 713-655-1912 or email info@heritagesociety.org to book your Group Tour and ask about our group discounts.
Read more about the homes here-
Martha Whiting-Goddard, great-granddaughter of Reverend Jack Yates, helped us design the tour curriculum for the 1870 Jack Yates House where she grew up. Martha is also a THS board member and leads our Black history projects.
GROUP TOURS (10+ people)
The tour typically lasts about an hour and includes three houses. Your tour ticket also provides entry into our museum gallery, so please feel free to explore our exhibits before or after your tour. Restrooms and the gift shop are also located in the gallery.
Groups of 10 or more people may book private guided tours at a discounted rate. Group rates are as follows:
· General Admission (13-64): $15
· Seniors (65+): $12
· Youths (6-12): $6
· Children (5 & Under): Free
Please note that groups of 15 or more will be split into more than one tour and groups of 45 or more will need to pick separate houses or tour times to visit. Let us know if you plan on arriving on a bus. If you need ADA compliant recommendations, please call 713-655-1912 or ask your tour guide on the day of your tour.
To submit a request for a group tour, please fill out the form below. We ask that requests be submitted at least (2) two weeks in advance. Please note that this form is for requests and not an actual booking form.
The Heritage Society’s exhibits, tours, events, and programs are funded in part by a grant from the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. Funding for these grants has been provided by Humanities Texas and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the federal ARP Act.
