Join us on Wednesday, 5/1, on Facebook or Instagram at 7 p.m. with Mister McKinney of Mister McKinney's Historic Houston as he hosts Facebook Live with author Richard Cunningham speaking about West University History in this free, online program.

West University history is Harris County history, and Cunningham’s book West University Place will take you on a journey of how it transformed then flourished. The real estate development called West University Place was part of a trend in the early 20th century of building affordable neighborhoods away from city centers; it was never meant to be a city on its own. West University Place evolved from treeless farmland into one of the most livable small towns in Texas—but the journey was not easy. More than once, the enterprise could have failed. If not for the actions of visionary leaders and dedicated residents, things may have turned out quite differently.

Cunningham, who is a freelance science writer, is author of the novel, Three Good Leads, a sequel to Maude Brown’s Baby, his debut novel. Three Good Leads is set in Houston and Galveston during the 1918 Influenza pandemic.  These fictional books were inspired by authentic vintage photographs that had a life of their own. 

Today, Cunningham serves on the City of West University Place Parks and Recreation Board. In 2021, he originated research into the location of the 1894 Harris County Poor Farm, which led to the approval of a historical marker on the Edloe Street pathway. He and his wife live in a 1948 cottage in West U that they remodeled in 2007.

Join Executive Director Alison Bell and Mister McKinney for a night of Houston history!

Join us on Wednesday, 4/3 on Facebook or Instagram at 7 p.m. with Mister McKinney of Mister McKinney's Historic Houston as he hosts Facebook Live with guest Robert Kimberly speaking about Legacy of Sig Byrd in this free, online program.

Robert Kimberly is the author of The Digital Sig Byrd Archive, “Houston Press Columnist Sigman Byrd, a Mid-Century Chronicler of Houston People and Places Long Gone”. The Digital Sig Byrd Archive is an online repository of Houston Press columns by Sigman Byrd, the mid-century chronicler of a Houston long gone. Byrd’s writings about underdogs and “the drifts of life”, from 1947 – mid 1950s, leave behind a unique portrait of Houston’s demimonde: its junkies, hookers, hustlers, street-corner preachers, pawnshop owners, honky-tonk angels, boogie-woogie boys, dealers, and more. However, upstanding Houstonians made appearances as well. The site looks to offer an accessible introduction to his writings, reward deep exploration of the archives and provide names, places, maps and calendars to offer a broad overview of his writings during his time at the Houston Press.

Kimberly works at the Blaffer Art Museum at the University of Houston and previously worked for the Museum of Fine Arts - Houston and the Houston Center for Photography.

Join Executive Director Alison Bell and Mister McKinney for a night of Houston history!

The Houston Hour with Mister McKinney and Heidi Vaughan Friday, March 15, at 8 p.m., is celebrating Women's History Month by showing support for women who are making a difference in the Arts.  Guests are THS's Development Director Laura Woods and Dr. Jessica Locheed, an Art History professor at Houston Community College/University of Houston.

February is Black History Month and a great opportunity for Scouts to experience and learn about Houston's history.  

Badge workshops include historic house tours and a museum gallery showcasing the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo History Exhibit and the Duncan General Store. The tour and activity are led by Martha Whiting-Goddard, a descendant of Reverend Jack Yates. These activities are appropriate for Grades 2 - 5 and include popcorn and lemonade.

For Brownies:

Please choose the 1:00 p.m. time slot.

For Daisies:

Please choose the  3:00 p.m. time slot.

Please email educationoutreach@heritagesociety.org for scouting activities and to book your troop.

LIVE! from The Heritage Society with Mister McKinney of Mister McKinney’s Historic Houston

Join us on Wednesday, 5/3, on Facebook or Instagram, at 7 PM and learn about the past architectural stories of buildings and homes that once bustled. Mister McKinney of Mister McKinney's Historic Houston hosts Facebook Live with Alfred Cervantes in this #free online program.

As the Executive Director of the Houston Film Commission and a native Houstonian, Alfred Cervantes has worked in the Texas film industry since 1992. As freelance crew, some of the movies he has worked on are Reality Bites, The Chase, Jason's Lyric, Powder, and Apollo 13. His role with the Houston Film Commission is to promote the greater City of Houston & Harris County area to film producers, production executives and independent filmmakers, to scout locations and facilitate any production's local filming experience.

Check out all of Houston’s film festivals here: https://www.houstonfilmcommission.com/news-and-events/texas-film-festivals/

The evening starts with information about THS from executive director Alison Ayres Bell.

WATCH ON INSTAGRAM

WATCH ON FACEBOOK

Watch this Wednesday on Facebook or Instagram at 7 PM and learn about the past stories of Pearland. Mister McKinney of Mister McKinney's Historic Houston hosts Facebook Live with Donald Hayes in this #free online program. Hayes is a Board Member at Pearland Foundation for the Performing and Visual Arts and is an officer of the Pearland Historical Society. He also is the founder of Untold Tales Marketing. Join us for education, trivia, and prizes.

Join us at 7 PM, Wednesday, August 3 and THS board member Mister McKinney of Historic Houston as he interviews authors of Oldest Houston —Lydia Schrandt & Biju Sukumaran. Their book creatively walks through some of the oldest attractions found in Houston. The author shows the city's diverse culture by taking readers on a journey through the oldest buildings, businesses, and neighborhoods.

Chance to win prizes from The Heritage Society and learn about the exciting exhibits coming to The Heritage Society from Executive Director Alison Bell. This program is free, thanks to our donors.

“FROM PLANTATION TO EMANCIPATION”

PROGRAM AGENDA FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 11

This is an exclusive, educational day dedicated to Juneteenth and Black Houston History. Book a Black History tour purchase at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, or 2:30 PM, and you will receive free admission to a Red Punch and Tea Cake Reception and an empowering Speaker Series from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

11:00 AM - 11:14 AM Reception

11:00 AM Teacake and Red Punch

11:00 AM Poem by Dr. Don Williams

11:05 AM Music/Songs by National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses

11:15 AM - 1:00 PM Children’s Event

Children's Coloring activity of Reverend Jack Yates and Downtown Black Businesses Map by Sandra Lord, in the General Duncan Store.

11:15 AM - 1:00 PM Speaker Series

11:15 AM Welcome and Juneteenth Introduction by Martha Whiting-Goddard

11:30 AM Reverend Jack Yates House by Devaron Yates

12 Noon Pilgrim Temple and Downtown's Black-Owned Businesses by Cheryl Cavitt

12:30 PM African American Women Suffrage by Rae Bryant

BOOK TICKETS TO THE JUNETEENTH PROGRAM (11 AM - 1 PM) WITH BLACK HISTORIC HOUSES TOUR