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📸 Board member Mister McKinney of Mister McKinney's Historic Houston has award winning documentary filmmaker 🎥 🎞️ Jim Bailey on the legacy of iconic Houston photographer Bob Bailey on “LIVE from The Heritage Society with Mister McKinney” on Wednesday, March 5, at 7:00 p.m. This is a free program on Facebook or Instagram Live.

Bob Bailey was a photographer who captured Houston life from 1929 until his death in 1971. His younger brother Marvin worked for him and carried on the business until the mid-1990s and died in 1998. Between them they left behind 500,000 glass negatives, the bulk being 8"x10" and 4" X 5" and a few larger formats (e.g. 16" x 20"). In 1998, an enterprising retired lawyer named James Lee saved the negatives from being tossed in the trash, and found a home for them at the [Dolph] Briscoe Center for American History, associated with the University of Texas at Austin. In the 14 years the negatives have rested there, about 5,000 of the 25,000 interesting (to Houstonians) photos have been digitized.

Jim Bailey of Sunset Productions of Houston, Texas, is an award-winning television and film producer who specializes in educational video programs and television documentaries focusing on Texas history, art and lifestyles.  As a 30-year veteran, he has written and produced more than one hundred television and video programs.

He has served as president of the board of Texas Foundation for the Arts, and is a member of Harris County Historical Commission, Rice Historical Society and Preservation Houston.  He is a third-generation Texan and graduate of Baylor University. He was co-producer on the recent PBS documentaries “The Golden Age of Texas Courthouses” and “Uncommon Law:  The Life and Times of Leon Jaworski.”  He recently produced and co-wrote a 60-minute documentary, “In Search of Houston’s History,” for the Friends of the Texas Room and the Houston Public Library.  Other recent documentaries include “The Art of Architecture—Houston,” which won a Telly Award, and “The 1910 Harris County Courthouse,” which won the Good Brick Award from Preservation Houston.Bailey was co-producer of the HoustonPBS program “Houston Arts Television.” Two other recent PBS documentaries were “Juneteenth:  A Celebration of Freedom,” produced in cooperation with the School of Architecture at Prairie View A&M University; and “Brushstrokes of South Texas,” an interesting profile of the life of Mexican-born artist Daniel Lechon and his murals that were installed in the Kennedy Ranch Museum of South Texas History. “Asia Society Texas Center,” the story of architect Yoshio Taniguchi’s new landmark building in Houston’s Museum District, was produced by Texas Foundation for the Arts and Houston Arts Alliance and aired on HoustonPBS in 2013.  Jim Bailey worked on the documentary as co-producer and writer.

“From Plantation to Emancipation – The Freedom Experience” is a “Houston Signature Experience” by Visit Houston

During your tour of three historic houses that tell Houston’s stories from plantation to emancipation, the talented actor brings the hardships of slavery and the victory of freedom to life in dramatic reenactments. The historical script was written by Martha Whiting-Goddard, Reverend Jack Yates’ great granddaughter, who lived in the Yates House that was relocated to Sam Houston Park.

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.

Starring Kijana Wiseman, M.Ed.! You will be enchanted by Kijana’s dynamic and versatile performances in the realms of theatrical and communicative arts. An award-winning lyric coloratura soprano with an impressive 3.5-octave range, she has garnered accolades such as the City of Houston Talent Competition and the national APCA Best College Performing Artist of the Year. Her interactive one-woman show, The Griot, was honored as the Best College Diversity Program. Kijana’s theatrical journey began in her childhood at Houston’s Theatre Inc. and Alley Theatre, where she played numerous lead roles in both musicals and plays. She holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Houston and a Master’s degree specializing in African Theatre, achieved through joint studies at Texas Southern University and the University of Liberia, West Africa.

The talented reenactor, Khi Stephens, brings the hardships of slavery and the victory of freedom to life through song, a Library of Congress slave narrative, and a portrayal written by a descendant of the Reverend Jack Yates. Stephens studied theater in Los Angeles and was coached by Martha Whiting-Goddard on her roles.

From Plantation to Emancipation – The Freedom Experience begins on Saturday, February 10 in celebration of Black History Month. These 90-minute tours are offered on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month; from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to make a reservation at least two (2) weeks in advance. To make a reservation or to request more information, call 713-655-1912 or email tours@heritagesociety.org.

Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to your tour time for parking and walking through our campus to the museum gallery for check-in. Free parking is available at 212 Dallas Street.

“From Plantation to Emancipation – The Freedom Experience” is a “Houston Signature Experience” by Visit Houston

During your tour of three historic houses that tell Houston’s stories from plantation to emancipation, the talented actor brings the hardships of slavery and the victory of freedom to life in dramatic reenactments. The historical script was written by Martha Whiting-Goddard, Reverend Jack Yates’ great granddaughter, who lived in the Yates House that was relocated to Sam Houston Park.

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.

Starring Kijana Wiseman, M.Ed.! You will be enchanted by Kijana’s dynamic and versatile performances in the realms of theatrical and communicative arts. An award-winning lyric coloratura soprano with an impressive 3.5-octave range, she has garnered accolades such as the City of Houston Talent Competition and the national APCA Best College Performing Artist of the Year. Her interactive one-woman show, The Griot, was honored as the Best College Diversity Program. Kijana’s theatrical journey began in her childhood at Houston’s Theatre Inc. and Alley Theatre, where she played numerous lead roles in both musicals and plays. She holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Houston and a Master’s degree specializing in African Theatre, achieved through joint studies at Texas Southern University and the University of Liberia, West Africa.

The talented reenactor, Khi Stephens, brings the hardships of slavery and the victory of freedom to life through song, a Library of Congress slave narrative, and a portrayal written by a descendant of the Reverend Jack Yates. Stephens studied theater in Los Angeles and was coached by Martha Whiting-Goddard on her roles.

From Plantation to Emancipation – The Freedom Experience begins on Saturday, February 10 in celebration of Black History Month. These 90-minute tours are offered on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month; from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to make a reservation at least two (2) weeks in advance. To make a reservation or to request more information, call 713-655-1912 or email tours@heritagesociety.org.

Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to your tour time for parking and walking through our campus to the museum gallery for check-in. Free parking is available at 212 Dallas Street.

Downtown Houston + presents…

Hop aboard the “City Light Downtown Holiday Magic” Bus Tour and unveil the best new holiday sites of Houston. This is an extraordinary evening tour, to explore 11 Holliday Villages places in Downtown Houston!

Meeting point: The Heritage Society, 1100 Bagby Street Houston. Texas 77002. Parking is free at 212 Dallas Street. Additional parking is available at the Heritage Clay Street Garage at 1200 Bagby Street.

HOLIDAY VILLAGES IN DOWNTOWN

• Deck the trees at GRB Convention Center.

• Land of Sweets at Hilton Americas

• Holiday Ice Village at Discovery Green

• Texas Winter Lights at Marriott Marquis.

• Trebly Park

• Mistletoe Square at Market Square Park

• Post

• Sugar Plum Plaza

• Lynn Wyatt Square

• Winter Wanderland on Bagby Street (near The Heritage Society)

• City Hall (on December 2 during Mayor’s Holiday Annual Tree Lighting)

HOLIDAY BUS DEPOT AT THE HERITAGE SOCIETY

From November 18 - December 30, our Holiday Village and Museum Gallery is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays, from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM, at 1100 Bagby Street. Free Parking is at 212 Dallas. It is free for the public to attend!

Downtown Houston + has a Texas Santa and Letters to Santa on the Bagby Street Patio.

The Heritage Society is hosting AO Art Show artists and Freedmen’s Town Holiday Market on Friday and Saturday evenings on the Bagby Street Patio.

The Heritage Society’s Museum Gift Shop will be open from 6:30 - 10 PM. The museum exhibit is only $5 and includes hot chocolate and cookies.

Winter Wanderland is in its third year of celebration since the City of Houston redesigned Bagby Street to be an enjoyable promenade near City Hall. Sam Houston Park has a sparking Constellation Tunnel and across the street at the Houston Public Library are the enormous lighted Angel Wings for that perfect holiday photo. 1000 Bagby Street.

What is a SIP? Explore Houston’s interesting places and history on these guided tours with subject matter experts! See Interesting Places (SIP) is an adventure that highlights Houston sites. 

Discover the Old World Charm of The Beaconsfield with Stephen Fox

Wednesday, November 8

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Our exploration guide is architectural and historical subject matter expert Stephen Fox. Fox is an architectural historian and a Fellow of the Anchorage Foundation of Texas. He is a lecturer in architecture at Rice University and the University of Houston. Fox is the author of the Houston Architectural Guide (2023), published by the American Institute of Architects, Houston Chapter. He is also the author of The Architecture of Birdsall P. Briscoe.

Our Destination -

The Beaconsfield is a 7-story high residential building with 18 lofts built in 1911 and is listed on the US Interior Department’s National Register of Historic Places.  The Beaconsfield has a rich history, visible in its architectural design. It lies at 1700 Main Street, touted as the first high-rise complex in Houston. The building retained its facade, including the 11′-12′ beamed ceilings, gas fireplaces, most of the original hardware, and the original elevator (still operated by the doorman).  It has an attended lobby with an Old World setting complete with French doors and arched stained-glass panels.

Meet the Author of Ghosts of Houston's Market Square Park

Sandra Lord will be autographing her book and sharing encounters about historic Downtown Houston from 1 PM - 4 PM in the museum gallery. Enjoy treats in the gallery or go on our haunted sighting tours…if you dare.

Visitors to Market Square Park can pause on their stroll through the downtown centerpiece for a palpable experience of its past. Houston’s first four city halls laid their foundations here, and relics of the square’s heritage remain embedded in the sidewalks of the park. Chalk up a chance sneeze on Milam Street to the final ghostly gasp of dust from Robert Boyce’s sawpits. Step from Congress Street into La Carafe, Houston’s oldest commercial building, for the kind of atmosphere that even deceased bartenders are reluctant to leave. From the phantom tailors above Treebeard’s to the forgotten mysteries of the town’s founding, Sandra Lord and Debe Branning resurrect the history humming through the four blocks surrounding Market Square Park.

Need something cool to do before the Pride Parade in Downtown? Enjoy 2 museum gallery exhibits, learn about LGBTQI history from our staff, and take a selfie with Harrison Guy's, Houston Pride’s 2019 Male Grand Marshal, t-shirt on display for The New Red Book Exhibit. He was the first Black male grand marshal in the 45-year history of Houston’s Pride celebrations. Cool beverages will be served. Only $5!

Valentine’s Day Express Weddings 2/14/2023

Get Married for $150 in St. John Church on Tuesday, February 14, 2023!

THE “LOVE IS IN THE AIR” EXPRESS WEDDING PACKAGE IS BACK FOR A THIRD TIME IN 2023!

The Heritage Society broke a record in 2021 in Sam Houston Park’s history. Couples jumped at the chance to get married for a “Love Is in the Air” wedding package. for $150. We conducted 29 ceremonies for Valentine’s Day weekend with an express weddings extravaganza, with 120 couples who were on the waiting list. 

For $150, couples will receive a quaint and classic ceremonial experience (a 50%+ savings) with -

• An officiant who will conduct a 10-minute ceremony at the historic St. John Church (up to 20 guests)

• Free parking

• Classic wedding music in the background

This offer is valid for Tuesday, February 14, 2023, and ceremony reservations are scheduled every 30 minutes.

The weddings will occur rain or shine. The wedding fees are non-refundable.

You may bring your photographer, flowers, something borrowed, something new, and something blue. We will provide something “old”, a historic church built in 1891!

Mini Candlelight Tour

The Heritage Society is offering a Mini Candlelight Tour on Saturday, December 3, at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Two other reasons, to purchase tickets - The Mayor’s Annual Tree Lighting is the same evening and Winter Wanderland on Bagby Street, a holiday lights extravaganza by the Downtown District will also make for great family fun. Great photo opportunities with dazzling holiday light installations – including an 80-foot light tunnel – on Bagby Street from Lamar to Preston.

Children under 5 are free. Children’s tickets are for young ones from 5 to 18 years of age.

Here is how we will be getting festive…

• Tour 2 Historic House Tours with Jesse H. Jones Park Reenactors and Docents

• Enjoy a musical performance by the professional string ensemble HeartStrings Houston

• Enjoy holiday punch and Christmas and holiday cookies in our Musuem Gallery

• Shop our gift shop for Hounique presents including holiday ornaments

• Sip hot chocolate/coffee by Active Passion Coffee and grab dinner at El Kiosko and sit outdoors to see all the holiday lights

• See beautiful decorations from Kirksey Gregg Productions

• Free parking

Our Speaker Series has returned! Come have lunch with us in-person or participate via Zoom! Our Speaker Series invites HOUnique subject matter experts on Houston and Texas history. Meet like-minded Houstonians at these events, bring your work colleagues, and invite your friends. Proceeds from the event go to preserving Houston history.

Join historian Cheryle Cavitt for stories about Houston’s Black-owned businesses located at the sophisticated Pilgrim Temple. This is a unique Black History lecture, because Cheryle and her mother were responsible for attaining the historical marker The Ancient Order of Pilgrims in Sam Houston Park. Cheryle has a mini-museum from the Pilgrim Temple’s days of glory and we are looking forward to seeing what she brings to the Tea Room.

A Zoom meeting link will be shared with those who register.

If joining us in person, we will send you instructions with a lunch menu or you may click here to see the lunch menu to place an order. We will pick up your lunch at Rosalie located at the C. Baldwin Hotel (named after Charlotte Baldwin, “the mother of Houston”). You may also bring your own lunch. Drinks are available for sale in our gift shop.

Imagine cool nights, warm fires, twinkling lights, and a cup of cocoa in hand. Candlelight Tour is set for Saturday and Sunday, December 12 & 13, 2015. Through entertainment, skits, and tours, families will hear the stories of Houston's past. Guests will tour decorated buildings, interact with historic characters, participate in children’s activities in Santa’s Workshop, and learn about Houston’s early residents, cultures, and customs. The Holiday Art Market will expand to include holiday themed items for your shopping enjoyment. Choirs and musicians will perform throughout the park. The Holiday Art Market opens at 4 p.m. each day and tours of the historic buildings begins at 5 p.m. For tickets, call 713-655-1912 or click below. Ticket prices increase at the gate to adults $15, seniors $12, students (6-18) $8, kids (5 & under are free). Parking available for $10 cash at Heritage Clay Street Garage, 1200 Bagby St. Enter garage at Clay St. Service animals only, please.
Check out the Candlelight Cafe Menu!

Buy tickets now!

Korean Americans in Houston: Building Bridges across Cultures and Generations
by Dr. Haejin E. Koh

The Heritage Society Tea Room
Free for members, $5 for non-members

What do an oilman, a school teacher, a lawyer, a community advocate, and an energy guru have in common? They are among the 11,813 Korean Americans living in Harris County. In many ways, they resemble anyone in Houston, attending school, attending church, working, changing careers, raising children, taking care of older parents, participating in the community, reaching for something better. Their stories demonstrate the diversity within the Korean American community.

The Heritage Society Museum Gallery
Free admission and cash bar

Who killed William Marsh Rice in 1900? Which famous Houston attorney discovered the crime? Visit Rice’s beautiful 1850 Greek Revival home to find out this and more! Each Wednesday evening through November 18, from 5-8pm, you can learn about this intriguing chapter in our city’s history at Wine Wednesdays at The Heritage Society, located in downtown Houston’s Sam Houston Park.

At 6 or 7pm, tour the Nichols-Rice-Cherry House to hear about Rice’s murder, or just come by with friends to enjoy good company and great conversation in The Heritage Society Museum Gallery. Admission is free and wine costs just $5 per glass at the cash bar in the Duncan Store. Spend your happy hour with us and celebrate Houston’s history with a drink.

The Heritage Society Museum Gallery
Free admission and cash bar

Who killed William Marsh Rice in 1900? Which famous Houston attorney discovered the crime? Visit Rice’s beautiful 1850 Greek Revival home to find out this and more! Each Wednesday evening through November 18, from 5-8pm, you can learn about this intriguing chapter in our city’s history at Wine Wednesdays at The Heritage Society, located in downtown Houston’s Sam Houston Park.

At 6 or 7pm, tour the Nichols-Rice-Cherry House to hear about Rice’s murder, or just come by with friends to enjoy good company and great conversation in The Heritage Society Museum Gallery. Admission is free and wine costs just $5 per glass at the cash bar in the Duncan Store. Spend your happy hour with us and celebrate Houston’s history with a drink.

The Heritage Society Museum Gallery
Free admission and cash bar

Who killed William Marsh Rice in 1900? Which famous Houston attorney discovered the crime? Visit Rice’s beautiful 1850 Greek Revival home to find out this and more! Each Wednesday evening through November 18, from 5-8pm, you can learn about this intriguing chapter in our city’s history at Wine Wednesdays at The Heritage Society, located in downtown Houston’s Sam Houston Park.

At 6 or 7pm, tour the Nichols-Rice-Cherry House to hear about Rice’s murder, or just come by with friends to enjoy good company and great conversation in The Heritage Society Museum Gallery. Admission is free and wine costs just $5 per glass at the cash bar in the Duncan Store. Spend your happy hour with us and celebrate Houston’s history with a drink.