Georgia O'Keefe may have provided the best description of Texas when she said, "I couldn’t believe Texas was real … the same big wonderful thing that oceans and the highest mountains are.” Texas is indeed varied geographically, our cultural heritage is equally so. Today the influence of many cultures is peppered throughout our everyday lives in our food, our traditions, our vocabulary, and more. Dive a little deeper into the rich cultures that made Texas — and Texans — what they are today.
African American Heritage
Journey through African American culture and heritage in Texas — an experience that includes hardships and triumphs, valor and determination, influence and change.
Asian Heritage
The first Asians arrived in Texas in two distinct waves during the latter half of the nineteenth century: first, in 1870 as laborers with the Houston and Texas Central Railroad, and again…
American Indian Heritage
In the first known chronicle of American Indian life in Texas by outside sources, the shipwrecked survivors of Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca's party report that they were confronted with a rhythmic…
European Heritage
Although the state’s European heritage mirrors much of the nation’s, the European Texan immigrant, like Texas itself, represents a uniqueness found only in the Lone Star state.
Hispanic Heritage
For hundreds of years, Texans have enjoyed the benefits of Hispanic cultural influence. Texas was once part of Mexico and Spain, after all.
German Heritage
There are many examples of German heritage still visible on the Texas landscape, from dance halls and shooting clubs to churches and schools, and this legacy continues to exert a strong influence…
Prost! Salud! Cheers! Gezondheid!
Ask a visitor what they love best about Texas and you'll usually get one answer above all others-"The food!" Where else can you consume pork tamales, a bowl of three-alarm chili (no beans!), bratwurst and sauerkraut, baby-back ribs, kielbasa, dim sum, gravlax, pemmican, crayfish étouffée, and pecan pie all in one day? As Texans, our pride of place is eclipsed only by pride of an ancestry hailing from all points on the compass-Mexico, South America, Eastern and Western Europe, the Caribbean, Asia and Africa, and Native America. And while Texans across the state may represent a generous distinction of cultures, we all seem to share at least one common denominator-the love of good food. We also like to party. Maybe that's why our calendar is filled with cultural heritage festivals like Oktoberfest, Cinco de Mayo, the Highland Games, Texas Folklife Festival, Charro Days, and the National Polka Festival.
Lakes Trail Region
300 Block of Wyatt Street Waxahachie, TX 75165 Website
Mountain Trail Region
Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Cultural Center Museum 305 YaYa Lane El Paso, Texas 79907 (915) 859-7700 Website
Mountain Trail Region
131 South Zaragosa Road El Paso, TX 79907 (915) 859-9848 Website
Forest Trail Region
200 N Lanana Roughly bounded by Park Street, the Lanana Creek, Oak Grove Cemetery, and North Lanana Street Nacogdoches, TX 75961 (936) 560-4443 Website
