HAPI Houston Area Preservation Initiative

09/01/2026

🧵🇺🇸 ANNUAL QUILT DISPLAY 🇺🇸🧵

Celebrate the beauty, history, and craftsmanship of quilting at the Houston Area Preservation Initiative’s (HAPI) Annual Quilt Display!

📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Historic Nels & Emma Forsyth House
301 E Maple Street • Houston, MN

🍂🎄🌷🇺🇸 THIS YEAR’S THEME: ALL SEASONS! 🇺🇸🌷🎄🍂

We’re celebrating quilts representing Fall, Christmas, Spring, and especially Red, White & Blue in honor of July 4th and America’s 250th birthday!

Whether you love quilting, local history, historic homes, or simply appreciate beautiful handmade pieces, come spend part of your Saturday enjoying this special community tradition.

☕ Coffee & treats will be served by HAPI board members.

Want to display a quilt?
We’d love to include your quilt in this year’s display!
📞 Contact Joan Wiste at 507-459-4679
🧵 Bring quilts to the Forsyth House by noon on Friday, October 2nd.

💙 Admission is FREE — donations are gratefully accepted.

Come admire the quilts, visit the historic Forsyth House, and celebrate the stories and traditions stitched into our community’s past. ❤️🤍💙

Please share and help us spread the word!

07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Independence Day from Houston Area Preservation Initiative (HAPI)! 🇺🇸

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, we honor not only our nation's founding but also the places and stories that connect us to our shared past.

Historic buildings, neighborhoods, and landmarks tell the story of the people who came before us. By preserving them, we ensure future generations can experience and appreciate the rich heritage that makes communities like Houston so special.

This Independence Day, we celebrate 250 years of American history, we're proud to do our part in preserving Houston's history for the next 250.

Have a safe, happy, and memorable Fourth of July! ❤️🤍💙

06/29/2026

🚧 Exciting progress at the Historic Forsyth House! 🏡

Work is underway to replace the original 125-year-old sidewalk at 301 E. Maple Street. Did you know this was Houston's very first tile sidewalk, installed in 1901? While time has taken its toll, we're carefully recreating its historic checkerboard appearance while making it safer for everyone to enjoy. The plan is to see how this west side turns out and continue with the south (Maple Street) side later this summer.

Take a look at the progress so far! 👀

This project is made possible through the hard work of HAPI volunteers, but we could still use community support to help complete the sidewalk later this summer. Every contribution helps preserve Houston's history for future generations.

Thank you for supporting historic preservation in our community! ❤️

06/25/2026

🏡 Step back in time with us at the Houston Area Museum!

🏡 Step back in time with us at the Houston Area Museum!

Join us on Sunday, October 18th at 2:00 PM for a special historical presentation by Diane & Bryan Forsyth as they share the story of the Historic Forsyth House and Houston’s early pioneers, Nels & Emma Forsyth. Built in 1878, the Forsyth House remains an important part of Houston’s history and offers a unique glimpse into the lives, legacy, and contributions of one of our community’s early families.

Come discover local history, hear fascinating stories, and celebrate the preservation of Houston’s heritage. We hope to see you there!

📍 Houston Area Museum
🗓 Sunday, October 18
🕑 2:00 PM

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, HAPI honors and remembers the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. As we preserve and celebrate the stories and history of our community, we are reminded of the sacrifices made by generations before us and the lasting impact they have on our nation and hometowns.

May we take time today to remember, reflect, and honor our heroes.

05/06/2026

Check this out! An entire flock of Houston preschoolers and their teachers gathered on the afternoon of April 30 at the historic Forsyth House on Maple Street in Houston to celebrate Mayday. 💐🌷🌹

An entire flock of Houston preschoolers and their teachers gathered on the afternoon of April 30 at the historic Forsyth House on Maple Street in Houston to celebrate Mayday.

04/30/2026

🌸 Today’s the Day! 🌸

Join us this afternoon for Pre-May Day with the Preschoolers hosted by HAPI!

📅 Thursday, April 30
⏰ 2:00 PM

Come watch our local preschoolers dance around the May Pole and help us welcome spring, it’s a sweet community tradition you won’t want to miss 💛

Everyone is welcome, so grab a friend and stop by!

☔ Rain Date: Monday, May 4 at 2:00 PM

🌸 Pre-May Day with the Preschoolers! 🌸

The Houston Area Preservation Initiative (HAPI) invites you to our annual May Pole Celebration - with a fun twist this year! Since the preschoolers don’t have school on Fridays, we’re celebrating a little early with “Pre-May Day with the Preschoolers.”

📅 Thursday, April 30
⏰ 2:00 PM

Come enjoy this cheerful spring tradition as our local preschoolers dance around the May Pole and help us welcome the season. Everyone is welcome to attend and celebrate with us!

☔ Rain Date: Monday, May 4 at 2:00 PM

Bring a smile and join us for a sweet community tradition celebrating spring in Houston!