
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.
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 diverse geographically, and it is equally diverse when it comes to our cultural heritage. 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…
Independence Trail Region
254 N Jefferson St. La Grange, TX 78945 (979) 968-3017 Website
Lakes Trail Region
2215 Ross Ave. Dallas, TX 75201 (214) 871-1362 Website
Plains Trail Region
1719 Avenue A Lubbock, TX 79403 806-928-4268 or 806-773-6046 Website
Mountain Trail Region
610 W. University Ave. El Paso, TX 79968 (915) 747-5565 Website
Mountain Trail Region
800 South San Marcial Street El Paso, TX 79905 (915) 532-7273 Website
Hill Country Trail Region
140 City Park Road Boerne, TX 78006 (830) 249-4616 Website
Hill Country Trail Region
1511 E. 6th Street Austin, Texas 78702 Website
Hill Country Trail Region
West Lynn and 10th Street Austin, TX 78701 (512) 441-5212 Website
Independence Trail Region
U.S. 90 between Rampart and Legion Sts. Columbus, TX 78934 Website
Plains Trail Region
200 South 3rd Street Quitaque, TX 79255 (806) 983-0103 Website
Hill Country Trail Region
Located in the town of Comfort, southern folkloric practices are on display at Comfort Cemetery where graves are decorated with seashells.
Though Comfort was founded by German immigrants in 1854, using seashells to decorate graves was a practice found in many parts of Texas into the early 20th century and was widespread among different ethnic communities. Historians have pointed to different origins to explain its significance. While some believe that the shells are meant to symbolize eternal life, others contend that the shell is itself a vessel for the soul's eternal presence. Texas graveyard historian, Terry G. Jordon, makes the connection between this practice and a pre-Christian Mediterranean deity who ruled the dead and granted rebirth through requests made by placing shells on graves Though pagan in nature, this tradition spread to Christianity during Roman times, then to Britain and northern Spain. Therefore, it isn't farfetched that the practice came to Texas through Spanish colonists, German immigrants, or other European influence.
Mountain Trail Region
3700 E Yandell Drive El Paso, TX 79903 (915) 842-8200 Website
Hill Country Trail Region
1300 Church Hill Drive New Braunfels, TX 78130 (830) 629-2943 Website
Plains Trail Region
777 Park Road 62 Quanah, TX 79252 (940) 839-4331 Website
Tropical Trail Region
1900 N Chaparral Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401 (361) 826-4667 Website
Tropical Trail Region
1004 E. 6th St. Brownsville, TX 78520 (956) 525-7252 Website
Independence Trail Region
4920 San Jacinto Street Houston, TX 77004 (713) 528-2060 Website
Independence Trail Region
250 West Fair Grounds Road La Grange, Texas 78945 Website
Brazos Trail Region
119 W. French Avenue Temple, TX 76501 (254) 899-2935 Website
Lakes Trail Region
300 N. Houston Street Dallas, TX 75202 (214) 741-7500 Website
Independence Trail Region
357 County Road 426 Danevang, TX 77432 (979) 578-0808 Website
Independence Trail Region
153 County Road 426 Danevang, TX 77432 (979) 578-0808 Website
Hill Country Trail Region
2211 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Austin, TX 787802 (512) 472-9748 Website
Lakes Trail Region
2500 Block Elm, 2509-2513 Main Street Dallas, TX 75202 (214) 984-7300 Website
Pecos Trail Region
Roughly bounded by West 2nd St., Johnson Blvd., and St. Peter’s St. Del Rio, TX 78840 Website
Lakes Trail Region
317 West Mulberry Street Denton, TX 76201 (940) 349-2865 Website
Hill Country Trail Region
15890 Hwy 16 S San Antonio, TX 78264 210-207-3000 or 210-207-3111 Website
Tropical Trail Region
1936 FM 1418 Falfurrias, TX 78355 (361) 325-2907 Website
Forest Trail Region
1500 Boston Avenue Nederland, TX 77627 (409) 723-1545 Website
Mountain Trail Region
715 North Oregon El Paso, TX 79902 (915) 351-0048 Website
Mountain Trail Region
Located throughout El Paso El Paso, TX 79902 (915) 534-0600 Website
Mountain Trail Region
4301 Transmountain Road El Paso, TX 79924 (915) 755-4332 Website
Mountain Trail Region
510 Santa Fe Street El Paso, TX 79901 (915) 212-0320 Website
Mountain Trail Region
Roughly bounded by CanAm Highway, Cesar E. Chavez Border Hwy., South Cotton St., and South Kansas St. El Paso, TX 79901 (800) 351-6024 Website
Hill Country Trail Region
304 East 44th. Street Austin, TX 78751 (512) 974-1625 Website
Hill Country Trail Region
600 River St. Austin, TX 78701 (512) 974-3772 Website
Hill Country Trail Region
16710 Ranch Rd 965 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 (830) 685-3636 Website
Hill Country Trail Region
3304 East 12th Austin, Texas 78721 (512) 978-2320 Website