Preservation Houston

10/12/2026

Save the date for Preservation Houston’s 13th annual Good Brick Tour, happening January 30 & 31, 2027!

This self-guided tour offers a rare opportunity to go beyond the front doors of some of Houston’s remarkable historic homes and buildings, explore their architecture and discover the stories behind their preservation.

*NEW dates: January 30–31, 2027
Noon–5 p.m. each day

We're putting the finishing touches on this year's lineup and can't wait to share it with you! Stay tuned for the big reveal in early November, along with special advance ticket pricing and volunteer opportunities.

Mark your calendars and get ready to experience Houston history up close.

*A quick note about the dates: Due to scheduling conflicts, we're moving the tour from its usual fall dates to January this year. This is a one-time change, and we plan to return to our traditional early November schedule for future tours.

10/08/2026

San Antonio, like you've never seen it before! ✨

Think you know the Alamo City? Join Preservation Houston for a four-day getaway exploring nearly 300 years of architecture, history and preservation through exclusive tours and local insights.

From the historic missions and charming King William neighborhood to the revitalized Pearl district, we'll discover the places and stories that make San Antonio one of Texas' most distinctive cities.

A few trip highlights:

- An exclusive look inside the historic Tower Life Building as it transforms into residences
- A chartered river cruise along the River Walk to the Pearl
- Visits to Mission Concepción, Confluence Park and a distinctive private home
- Three nights at the Kimpton Hotel Santo, plus memorable meals and time with fellow architecture and history enthusiasts

PH Travels: Rediscover San Antonio
March 18–21, 2027

Space is limited! Come rediscover San Antonio with us and experience the city through a whole new lens.

Learn more and register: https://www.preservationhouston.org/travel

10/07/2026

Explore one of Houston’s most history-filled neighborhoods on our Warehouse District Architecture Walk this Sunday! 👟

Just northeast of Downtown, the Warehouse District holds layers of Houston history — from Frost Town and early commerce along Buffalo Bayou to the railroads, warehouses and industries that helped shape the growing city.

Along the way, we’ll explore historic warehouses, a 1902 pumping station, an 1880 neighborhood grocery and more and uncover the Houston history hiding in plain sight.

Warehouse District Architecture Walk
Sunday, October 11 | 2–3:30 p.m.
🎟️ General Admission: $15 | PH Members & Students: $10

Space is limited and advance registration is required.

Reserve your spot today: https://www.preservationhouston.org/calendar/2026/10/11/warehouse-district-architecture-walk

10/06/2026

A Houston landmark worth keeping an eye on. 👀

The Kirby Mansion has stood at 2000 Smith Street for more than a century. Once home to lumber magnate John Henry Kirby, the mansion took its present form in 1926, when architect James Ruskin Bailey transformed it into the 36-room Tudor Revival-style building we know today. It later served for 30 years as headquarters of the Houston-Harris County Red Cross.

Preservation Houston has been keeping an eye on the property for years, and recently, Kirby Mansion changed hands once again.

The building currently has no local, state or federal historic designation — which makes this an important moment for its future. We believe the mansion should be preserved and returned to productive use.

We’re in touch with the new owner and look forward to meeting with them to learn more about their plans and discuss potential preservation incentives that could support the building’s future.

We’ll continue following the property and will share updates as we learn more.

📸: The Heritage Society

10/05/2026

Great architecture can transform more than a site. It can create places for people to gather, strengthen communities and change the way we experience our city.

This , we’re looking back at five Pier & Beam Future Landmark Award winners that demonstrate the impact thoughtful design can have across Houston:

Ismaili Center Houston — creating a new place for reflection, learning and exchange along Buffalo Bayou.

Brochstein Pavilion at Rice University — transforming an underused quadrangle into a social heart of campus.

Nancy and Rich Kinder Building at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Houston — helping connect a collection of buildings into a more welcoming, cohesive museum campus.

Shell Energy Stadium — bringing major-league soccer into the heart of Houston and strengthening the connection between downtown and the East End.

New Hope Housing at Brays Crossing — demonstrating how thoughtful design can bring dignity and new possibilities to supportive housing.

Different projects. Different purposes. One shared idea: good architecture can help build a better city.

The Future Landmark Award celebrates outstanding new architecture that makes a lasting contribution to Houston — and we look forward to seeing which places become the landmarks future generations will fight to preserve.

To learn more, visit: preservationhouston.org/pierbeam/landmark

10/02/2026

RESCHEDULING UPDATE: This month’s Pier & Beam Happy Hour at Memorial Trail will be rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances with our host venue. We’re working on a new date and will share updated details soon.

Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to gathering with you soon!

RESCHEDULING UPDATE: This month’s Pier & Beam Happy Hour will be rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances with our host venue. We’re working on a new date and will share updated details soon. Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to gathering with you soon!
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Our fall all-member happy hour is headed to Memorial Trail Ice House, located inside the historic Juergen Building on Washington Avenue.

Built in 1932, the two-story building originally housed retail space downstairs and apartments above. Today, it has a new life as Memorial Trail Ice House — and it’s the perfect spot to gather with fellow Preservation Houston + Pier & Beam members.

Whether you’ve been a PH member for years or are just getting involved, come meet fellow Houston history + architecture lovers, catch up with the PH team and talk preservation over a drink.

And bring a friend or two! As always, come when you can, leave when you’re ready and pick up your own tab.

10/01/2026

For generations of Houstonians, AstroWorld was more than an amusement park — it was part of growing up in Houston.

Opened in 1968, AstroWorld was the vision of former Houston mayor Roy Hofheinz, who invested $25 million to create the park just south of the Astrodome. Even its name reflected the Houston of the era — a nod to Johnson Space Center and the city’s growing role in the space industry.

And Houston went BIG: crews planted at least 10,000 trees, built a pedestrian bridge over Loop 610 and even installed 2,000 tons of outdoor air conditioning to cool shaded areas. On opening day, about 23,400 people showed up — and 50,000 visited during its first weekend!

Later came the rides Houstonians still talk about today, including the Texas Cyclone, Greezed Lightning, Thunder River and Mayan Mind Bender. AstroWorld entertained generations until it closed in 2005 after 37 seasons.

Although the park is gone today, the memories definitely aren't. ❤️

What’s YOUR favorite memory? And more importantly… what was your favorite ride?

Photo credit: Texas State Historical Association & Houston Chronicle

09/30/2026

You asked, so we’re bringing it back!

After strong interest in our recent Houston’s Six Wards talk, we’re offering an encore session for anyone who missed it the first time around.

First Ward. Third Ward. Fifth Ward. You know the names — but do you know where Houston’s wards actually came from?

Join Preservation Houston Programs and Communications Director Jim Parsons as he explores the history of Houston’s six wards — from their beginnings as 19th-century political districts to the neighborhoods and communities they helped shape.

We’ll explore how the wards grew and changed, what happened when the official ward system disappeared and, most importantly, why these names still mean so much to Houston today.

Time & Place: Houston’s Six Wards
Tuesday, October 13 | 6:30–7:30 p.m.
📍PH Studio | 3907 Main Street
🎟️ Free for PH members | $15 non-members

Advance registration is required. Reserve your spot today: https://www.preservationhouston.org/calendar/2026/10/13/houstons-six-wards-encore

📸: Marc Newsome aka Marc Furi

09/24/2026

You may know the name Félix Tijerina — but do you know the impact he had on Houston?

Tijerina moved to Houston at just 13 years old and began working as a busboy at the Original Mexican Restaurant for $9 a week. He eventually became a successful entrepreneur, opening Félix’s Mexican Restaurant on Westheimer in 1937 and growing his restaurant business throughout the Houston area.

But his legacy extends far beyond restaurants. Tijerina became a prominent Mexican American civic leader and helped establish LULAC Council 60 in Houston, later serving four terms as national president of LULAC. Under his leadership, LULAC launched the Little Schools of the 400, an early preschool program created to help Spanish-speaking children succeed in school — a program that later became a model for Head Start.

His story is part of a much larger history of Latino entrepreneurship, education, civic leadership and community-building in Houston — and another reminder that preserving our city’s history also means preserving the stories of the people who shaped it.

As we continue celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re highlighting the people and places that help tell the story of Latino Houston.

Photo credit: Texas State Historical Association